For certain types of standard equipment, South Coast AQMD offers several ways to obtain permission to operate more quickly and at a lower cost.

Registration/Certification

Manufacturers can voluntarily apply to have standard, off-the-shelf equipment certified by South Coast AQMD that it meets all applicable requirements.  By certifying equipment, manufacturers:

• Are able to meet customer needs for equipment that has been pre-approved to meet all air quality rules

• Spend less time assisting customers with permitting

• Are informed and kept up-to-date with the rules and regulations that affect the equipment they sell

A Certified Equipment Permit (CEP) issued to a Manufacturer is not a Permit to Construct or Operate.  To be eligible for Registration of the Certified equipment, the end-user shall submit a Registration application.  Facilities that are in the Title V, RECLAIM or are located within a 1,000 feet of a school are not eligible to participate in the Certification/Registration Program.  Instead these types of facilities are required to submit a regular application for the Permit to Construct/Operate for the equipment.  Title V facilities are considered major sources, and must meet BACT and LAER requirements.  

Business owners who register purchased equipment (using Form 400A (PDF)) that has previously been issued a Certified Equipment Permit by South Coast AQMD:

• Will be mailed a permit to operate, expeditiously after receipt of their completed application by South Coast AQMD

• Pay a reduced processing fee

If you have purchased or plan to purchase equipment from a manufacturer participating in the program, be sure to pick up your application package for registration from the dealer/distributor. Manufacturers who are interested in joining the program are encouraged to contact Susan Tsai. 

Equipment that has been certified includes the following:

• Rule 1121 Certified Model List (Last Updated 12/15/2023) (PDF, 493 kb)

• Rule 1146.2 Certified Boilers (Last Updated 12/15/2023) (XLSX, 69 kb)

• Current Certified ICE (Last Updated 12/15/2023) (XLSX, 79 kb)

• Certified Charbroilers with Integrated Catalyst (Rule 1138) (Last Updated 5/5/2023) (PDF, 582 kb)

In addition, as part of the South Coast AQMD’s permit streamlining program, certain emergency generators have been pre-certified as meeting South Coast AQMD rules/regulations. Facilities who want to install/operate these pre-certified units can apply for a permit using the permit “registration” program that offers lower processing fees and shorter permit processing times. Please use the following form package to apply for a permit for pre-certified equipment:

• End-User Form for Emergency Generator (Form EIC-RE) (Last Updated 7/1/2023) (PDF, 94kb)

Other Registration Programs

• Rule 222 Filing Program

• Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP)

• Rule 1415 Stationary A/C

• Rule 1415.1 Stationary Refrigeration Systems