Opinion ID: 426344
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Parts List

Text: 41 At the time EPA published the performance warranty regulations, it also published, as an appendix, a list advising the public of which parts it believed were installed in or on a vehicle solely or primarily for the purpose of reducing vehicle emissions, except those components which were in general use prior to the model year 1968. 46 45 Fed.Reg. 34842, 34843 (May 22, 1980), JA 422-423. The list was explicitly advisory, 47 and neither expanded nor narrowed the legal obligations of any party. The list was merely EPA's attempt to be responsive to industry's request for guidance in the area. 48 42 Petitioners complain that EPA issued its parts list without giving prior notice and opportunity for comments to the public; accordingly, they suggest that this court vacate the parts list and remand it to EPA for a full rulemaking proceeding. But rulemaking procedures are not required here. Section 307(d)(1)(N) of the Clean Air Act states that rulemaking procedures are not necessary for rules or circumstances qualifying for exemption under Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act. 49 That section specifically exempts general statements of agency policy--like this nonbinding parts list--from normal rulemaking procedures. 50 Hence, petitioners' procedural complaint is groundless. 43 Petitioners also make general challenges to the substance and length of the parts list. But they do not assert any specific grievances, nor do they indicate how this advisory parts list burdens them in any way. 51 Since 40 C.F.R. Sec. 85.2103 (1982) continues to be the exclusive source for all warranty obligations, we can find no legal basis upon which to upset the parts list. Vehicle manufacturer obligations derive from the Act and its implementing regulations, not from this advisory list.