RULES: Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program Rules - OAC Chapter 3745-26
Division of Air Pollution Control
April 8, 2025
Early Stakeholder Outreach — Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program Rules — OAC Chapter 3745-26
What does OAC Chapter 3745-26 cover?
Chapter 3745-26 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) contains the requirements for Ohio’s motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program, also known as E-Check. The program currently tests cars in seven counties in Northeast Ohio (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit, and Portage). These rules fulfill a requirement in the Clean Air Act and are a part of Ohio’s State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the attainment and maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone in the Cleveland/Akron/Lorain Metropolitan area.
Why are these rules being sent out for Early Stakeholder Outreach?
The first step in the rule-making process is for Ohio EPA to identify that a rule needs to be amended, rescinded, or created. Ohio EPA has added an additional step to ensure stakeholders are brought into the rule process as early as possible. This additional interested party notification and request for information will allow for early feedback before the rule language has been developed by the Agency.
What changes are being considered?
Ohio EPA will be performing a general review of the rules in this chapter to fulfill the requirements of Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 106.03 and 106.31 (5-year review). This will include making amendments to reflect changes due to recently enacted HB 54, making updates to reflect the discontinuation of the tailpipe emissions test method in January 2020, and incorporating and clarifying existing procedures for electric vehicle exemptions. Ohio EPA will also be making various minor changes for clarification, to fix typographical errors, and to meet state and agency formatting standards.
Who will be regulated by these rules?
The rules in OAC Chapter 3745-26 are applicable to automobile owners whose vehicle is registered in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit, or Portage counties as well as the contractor/ operators of the I/M program testing stations, and repair shop and technicians who opt to participate in the program.
What is the rulemaking schedule?
Upon completion of the Early Stakeholder Outreach portion of this rulemaking, Ohio EPA will make any changes necessary to the rule language and make a draft of the rule language available to the public for a 30-day review.
What input is the Agency seeking?
The following questions may help guide you as you develop your comments.
Is the general regulatory framework proposed the most appropriate? Should the Agency consider any alternative framework?
What options are available for improving the existing rules?
Are there considerations the Agency should consider when updating the existing rules?
Is there any information or data the Agency should be aware of when developing program concepts or rule language?
How can I provide input?
The Agency is seeking stakeholder input on the OAC Chapter 3745-26 I/M program rules. When preparing your comments, be sure to:
Explain your views as clearly as possible
Describe any assumptions used
Provide any technical information and/or data used to support your views
Explain how you arrived at your estimate for potential burdens, benefits or costs
Provide specific examples to illustrate your views and
Offer alternatives
Written comments will be accepted through close of business May 14, 2025. Please enter comments or upload a comment document below.
Division of Air Pollution Control
April 8, 2025
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