§ 90.506 - Right of entry and access.

§ 90.506 Right of entry and access.

(a) To allow the Administrator to determine whether a manufacturer is complying with the provisions of this subpart, a test order is issued which authorizes EPA enforcement officers or their authorized representatives upon presentation of credentials to enter during operating hours any of the following places:

(1) Any facility where any engine to be introduced into commerce, including ports of entry, or any emission-related component is manufactured, assembled, or stored;

(2) Any facility where any tests conducted pursuant to a test order or any procedures or activities connected with these tests are or were performed;

(3) Any facility where any engine which is being tested, was tested, or will be tested is present; and

(4) Any facility where any record or other document relating to any of the above is located.

(b) Upon admission to any facility referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, EPA enforcement officers or EPA authorized representatives are authorized to perform the following inspection-related activities:

(1) To inspect and monitor any aspects of engine assembly, storage, testing and other procedures, and the facilities in which these procedures are conducted;

(2) To inspect and monitor any aspect of engine test procedures or activities, including, but not limited to, engine selection, preparation, service accumulation, emission test cycles, and maintenance and verification of test equipment calibration;

(3) To inspect and make copies of any records or documents related to the assembly, storage, selection and testing of an engine in compliance with a test order; and

(4) To inspect and photograph any part or aspect of any engine and any component used in the assembly thereof that is reasonably related to the purpose of the entry.

(c) EPA enforcement officers or EPA authorized representatives are authorized to obtain reasonable assistance without cost from those in charge of a facility to help the officers perform any function listed in this subpart, and they are authorized to request the recipient of a test order to make arrangements with those in charge of a facility operated for the manufacturer's benefit to furnish reasonable assistance without cost to EPA, whether or not the recipient controls the facility.

(1) Reasonable assistance includes, but is not limited to, clerical, copying, interpretation and translation services, the making available on an EPA enforcement officer's or EPA authorized representative's request of personnel of the facility being inspected during their working hours to inform the EPA enforcement officer or EPA authorized representative of how the facility operates and to answer the officer's questions, and the performance on request of emission tests on any engine which is being, has been, or will be used for SEA testing.

(2) A manufacturer may be compelled to cause the personal appearance of any employee at such a facility before an EPA enforcement officer or EPA authorized representative by written request for his or her appearance, signed by the Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, served on the manufacturer. Any such employee who has been instructed by the manufacturer to appear will be entitled to be accompanied, represented, and advised by counsel.

(d) EPA enforcement officers or EPA authorized representatives are authorized to seek a warrant or court order authorizing the EPA enforcement officers or EPA authorized representatives to conduct activities related to entry and access as authorized in this section, as appropriate, to execute the functions specified in this section. EPA enforcement officers or authorized representatives may proceed ex parte to obtain a warrant whether or not the EPA enforcement officers or EPA authorized representatives first attempted to seek permission of the recipient of the test order or the party in charge of the facilities in question to conduct activities related to entry and access as authorized in this section.

(e) A recipient of a test order shall permit an EPA enforcement officer(s) or EPA authorized representative(s) who presents a warrant or court order to conduct activities related to entry and access as authorized in this section and as described in the warrant or court order. The recipient shall also cause those in charge of its facility or a facility operated for its benefit to permit entry and access as authorized in this section pursuant to a warrant or court order whether or not the recipient controls the facility. In the absence of a warrant or court order, an EPA enforcement officer(s) or EPA authorized representative(s) may conduct activities related to entry and access as authorized in this section only upon the consent of the recipient of the test order or the party in charge of the facilities in question.

(f) It is not a violation of this part or of the Clean Air Act for any person to refuse to permit an EPA enforcement officer(s) or an EPA authorized representative(s) to conduct activities related to entry and access as authorized in this section if the officer or representative appears without a warrant or court order.

(g) A manufacturer is responsible for locating its foreign testing and manufacturing facilities in jurisdictions in which local foreign law does not prohibit an EPA enforcement officer(s) or an EPA authorized representative(s) from conducting the entry and access activities specified in this section. EPA will not attempt to make any inspections which it has been informed that local foreign law prohibits.