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Dear SEMA Member,
Over the years, SEMA has received many requests from members seeking information about federal and state emissions compliance requirements. If you manufacture emissions-related aftermarket parts for regulated vehicles, the parts will likely need to be tested to confirm that vehicles will still meet applicable clean air standards after the part has been installed. Emissions-related parts are regulated under our Nation's clean air laws and are primarily enforced by two government agencies: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
SEMA has published two brochures to assist members in understanding and complying with the laws. The first brochure explains how the EPA and CARB regulate emissions-related aftermarket parts. The second brochure is a comprehensive compliance handbook.
SEMA wants to give you all the tools necessary to comply with the law in a cost-effective manner. That includes explaining the law and providing an option to test your products. Emissions-related aftermarket parts include any specialty part that interacts with the vehicle's emissions system and changes the performance levels of the equipment being replaced or supplemented. They are commonly called "add-on" or "modified" parts. The product may be "emissions-related" if it is installed anywhere between the air intake and the outlet end of the catalytic converter. The term does not include ordinary replacement parts.
The information contained in this document is intended as a complete guide for any interested party to understand the emissions compliance process and to maximize the probability of a successful compliance experience. SEMA has a staff available to assist members throughout the process. Contact information is provided at the end of this document. We encourage you to contact us with any questions pertaining to the compliance process.
If you have any questions about the information provided, please contact Dean Schilngmann, Emissions Compliance Director at deans@sema.org or call (909) 978-6673.
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The material posted on this site is intended as a guide to emissions certification of specialty automotive aftermarket parts. The guide attempts to simplify the detailed process for achieving emissions > compliance status with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are the only authority for the programs referenced herein. The material is designed to expedite the process by which SEMA members can gain parts certification. Please note that the information contained herein is intended for reference only and that CARB/EPA regulations are subject to change. Please consult the appropriate regulations to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this volume.
SEMA has relied upon several federal and state resources to collect the material but disclaims any responsibility for the contents. SEMA also disclaims any responsibility for any claims that might result from reliance on the contents of the posted material. These materials are not intended to provide legal advice. Compliance with the CARB and EPA regulations should be undertaken in consultation with competent counsel.
Mike Spagnola is the CEO of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and Performance Racing Industry (PRI), a position he has held since 2022. A strong leader with hands-on business management experience in retail, distribution, and manufacturing, Spagnola has logged more than 40 years in the specialty auto parts arena, including more than 20 years of ownership in several automotive companies.
Spagnola joined SEMA in 2013 as vice president, OEM & Product Development Programs. In that role he oversaw the SEMA Garage - Product Development Center in Diamond Bar, Calif., and developed and managed the SEMA Garage near Detroit, Mich.
Prior to joining SEMA, Spagnola served as President of Street Scene Equipment, where he managed the company’s day-to-day business for 16 years. His experience working with OEMs building concept and project vehicles has led to more than a dozen design awards and extensive media recognition. Spagnola also served two terms on the SEMA Board of Directors, chaired the SEMA Scholarship Committee, and was the Association’s Person of the Year in 2010.
Spagnola is passionate about ensuring that the Association gives back to the community by helping bring the next generation of students successfully into the industry. He’s credited with creating SEMA’s annual Pinewood Drag Race and Show ‘N Shine Car Show charitable events (now called the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags), which have raised thousands of dollars for charity.
Spagnola is also a racer, having raced competitively in SCCA and off-road.
When he’s not spending time with his wife, three children and five grandchildren, Spagnola enjoys collecting and restoring cars.
The SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala is a long-established tradition where individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry are honored and celebrated.
Check-out the recap below of the 2026 event.
Industry leaders, innovators and enthusiasts gathered at the Renaissance Newport Beach to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala, a tradition originating in 1976. The event comes 63 years after SEMA was founded in 1963.
The evening, hosted by industry voice Kevin Oeste, honored the SEMA Hall of Fame Class of 2026, recognized industry leadership, reflected on another year of advocacy victories and looked ahead to the future of the automotive aftermarket as part of the theme, "The Next 63 Years, Engineering the SEMA of Tomorrow."
Chair
Chair-Elect
Immediate Past-Chair/Secretary
Treasurer
RICH BUTLER
JEFF HERMANN
BRIAN HERRON
DOUG LANE
TIM McCARTHY
KELLE OESTE
KIM PENDERGAST
MELISSA SCOLES
MARCUS UMLAUFF
SEMA is governed by a Board of Directors who volunteer their time to lead and guide the association. A professional staff is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the programs and services.
The individuals serving on the Board are doing more than just "getting involved" and leading the association. They are serving the industry and all of the businesses within it. They are providing direction and playing a critical role in shaping the future of the automotive specialty-equipment market.
The SEMA Board consists of four officers (chairman, chairman-elect, immediate past chairman/secretary, treasurer) and ten directors. While there is a limited number of seats on the Board, the election process gives all SEMA-member companies the ability to influence the future of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
In addition to having the ability to vote in the election, SEMA-member companies also have an opportunity to play a role in the process from the very beginning.
In fact, the election process begins with employees of SEMA-member companies recommending people in the industry who, in their opinion, would be good candidates to run for the SEMA Board. Members are free to nominate colleagues as well as themselves. A nominating committee then reviews all recommendations. This group consists of nine individuals, who, by agreeing to sit on the committee, are ineligible to run for the Board during that election year. The group reviews each nomination based on industry experience, knowledge of business affairs, integrity and other similar characteristics.
The nominating committee then submits its recommendations for potential candidates to the current Board of directors. This process of checks and balances ensures that the final list of candidates includes only highly qualified nominees. Names and background information on the final candidates are posted on the SEMA Election microsite. According to SEMA bylaws, there are four basic voting categories: Manufacturers, Distributor/Retailer, Services, and Manufacturers' Reps. Members are free to vote for a candidate in each of the membership categories.
Ballots returned before the stated deadline are collected and tabulated by an outside web ballot/election company. The SEMA President and two Board members confirm the election results, and the final results are announced soon after all candidates have been contacted. New directors and officers begin their service in July.
All Board officer positions serve two-year terms (the chairman-elect serves in that position for two years, then serves as chairman for the succeeding two years). All Board director positions serve three-year terms. Directors may be re-elected to serve up to two consecutive three-year terms in office, and they may be re-elected to office after two consecutive terms following a minimum break in continuous service of two consecutive years.
SEMA Cares provides a forum from which our association members can act as a collective influence toward making a positive impact beyond the automotive community.
We are able to significantly improve the lives of many who need it through our support of the great work done by the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer, Childhelp prevention and treatment of child abuse, and the Victory Junction camp for children with serious medical conditions and serious illnesses.
Established in 2007, SEMA Cares steers the same dedication and passion our membership has for automotive to the kind care of children and others in need.
SEMA Cares unites association members to create a meaningful impact beyond the automotive aftermarket community by supporting organizations like the Austin hatcher Foundation, Childhelp, and Victory Junction. Through collaboration and shared commitment, we strive to improve lives and make the world a better place. Our primary fundraising is through charitable events and direct donations.
As you can see, the SEMA Cares mission embraces and values the participation of association members and other partners in a collective effort to make the world a better place.
Established in 2007, SEMA Cares is a nonprofit entity that unites the automotive aftermarket’s efforts to support children and others in need. Hear from the three SEMA Cares charities and discover how you can support them.
During this on-demand session, representatives from the following groups updated the industry on how SEMA Cares has made a positive difference in the lives of children in need, and offer ideas on easy ways to get involved:
Viewers will discover that there are many ways to support SEMA Cares and get involved. This is a perfect opportunity for businesses that want to level up their charitable programs and for individuals in the industry who want to get more involved and give back.
Purchasing a pinewood car is one of the easiest ways to contribute to SEMA Cares. The Annual Pinewood Drags has quickly become a signature event by combining just the right elements of charitable giving, community participation, automotive passion, and youthful spirit.
Donors have three options for participating:
The Industry Cup Challenge takes charitable giving to the next level.
Sponsoring companies are divided into five divisions where they race with high-quality, child-built pinewood cars. Each division crowns a winning company which then goes on to represent that division in an all-out industry race to #1.
Everyone is a true winner as the charities continue to help those in need, the disadvantaged children have fun building toy cars, and the industry engages the community in an overwhelmingly positive way.
The industry challengers each have a limited number of entrants in the following divisions:
The champion can display the impressive trophy for a year with its company name boldly engraved among the winners. It must then be returned, in a Stanley Cup style tradition, as it will be up for grabs again at the next Pinewood Drags where the company will have a chance to defend the title
The donation cost is $1,000 per sponsoring company. The standard pinewood build rules apply to all competing vehicles. Vehicles are randomly assigned and the race is officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.
SEMA Cares works with select charities that best reflect the values and interests of the automotive specialty equipment industry. We have worked hand-in-hand with each of these charities and seen the positive results that the funding helps provide.
We also look for opportunities to incorporate the joy of automotive into fun activities and fundraising. Projects and camp activities, from pinewood toy car kits to actual vehicle builds, give young minds a very important reprieve from hard life circumstances, even if only for a brief moment.
By donating through SEMA Cares, you make a larger and more significant impact of giving as part of a collective automotive industry voice while still knowing that your contributions go directly to the individual charities without administrative overhead.
There are ways to help others in need beyond financial donations. SEMA Cares hosts and assists with various sponsored events throughout the year.
We offer the opportunity to help behind-the-scenes or work directly with the community members and charitable organizations. If you would like to get involved in making a difference in your area, remotely, or at any SEMA Cares event please let us know by completing a volunteer application.
Customized with product donations by SEMA-member companies, this 2009 Ford F-150 Super Crew 4X4 was available through eBay auction to benefit childrens charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. The vehicle was sold to Ron Schmucker of San Ramon, California, for $30,100.
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WD-40 Company and SEMA Cares, the association's charity arm, have partnered to build a custom 2010 Camaro for the 2009 SEMA Show. Several specialty-equipment manufacturers are also pitching in to bring the classic pony car back in style, and with its aggressive stance, 6.2L V8 and 600+ hp, the WD-40/SEMA Cares Camaro has exceptional performance to match its distinctive look.
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Custom '12 Ford F-350 Super Duty work truck that will include Foose-inspired custom front- and rear-wheel flares, side rockers and a front chin spoiler, among other upgrades. The WD-40 Specialist/SEMA Cares Foose Ford F-350 represents the new WD-40 Specialist line of products
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Leading aftermarket companies that stepped up to donate parts, equipment and services to the project include: Street Scene Equipment, Barrett-Jackson, LMC Truck, L&R Engine, Egge, MHT Wheels, Pirelli Tires, BASF Paint, American Auto Wire, Painless Performance, Quiet Ride, K&N Filters, McGard and others.
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The enhanced '13 Ford F-150 Lariat, a collaboration between SEMA manufacturing members and students from the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts (AXC), was designed by industry icon Chip Foose and is the first vehicle to be modified in the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California. All modifications and installs were performed by students from the AXC.
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Customized through a collaboration between Omix-ADA and the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts, the upfitted, dirt-ready Jeep features $30,000 in aftermarket parts and accessories. As part of the build, a team of students from the school modified the standard four-door JK Sport at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, using parts from several donor companies.
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Transformed from a standard four-door Jeep Wrangler JK into a one-of-a-kind "ready-when-you-are" Jeep, was custom designed by "Overhaulin'" co-host and UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste, along with LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge and SEMA Cares, and it was built by DUB Gara
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The custom Petty's Garage-built Jeep Wrangler JKU began life as a stock 2016 Hydro Blue JK Rubicon and was transformed into the "ultimate off-road masterpiece" through the addition of a full array of Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge parts and accessories
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WD-40 Company has partnered with SEMA Cares to build a custom '67 Chevrolet Camaro in celebration of both the SEMA Show's and the Camaro's 50th anniversaries. The Camaro project was designed by noted car builder Neil Tjin and built in partnership with Tjin and instructors from Universal Technical Institute. Build partners that have donated product for use on the Camaro include Eckler's, Budnik Wheels, Axalta, Eibach, Falken Tires, Baer Brake Systems, LR Auto Body and Optima Batteries. The engine, transmission, suspension, wheels and tires will be installed on PowerNation TV.
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