§ 90.705 - Right of entry and access.

§ 90.705 Right of entry and access.

(a) To allow the Administrator to determine whether a manufacturer is complying with the provisions of this subpart or other subparts of this part, one or more EPA enforcement officers may enter during operating hours and upon presentation of credentials any of the following places:

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

(2) Any facility where any test conducted pursuant to this or any other subpart or any procedure or activity connected with such test is or was performed;

(3) Any facility where any test engine is present; and

(4) Any facility where any record required under § 90.704 or other document relating to this subpart or any other subpart of this part is located.

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

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

(2) To inspect and monitor any aspect of engine test procedures or activities, including test engine selection, preparation and 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; 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 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 manufacturer to make arrangements with those in charge of a facility operated for the manufacturer's benefit to furnish reasonable assistance without cost to EPA.

(1) Reasonable assistance includes, but is not limited to, clerical, copying, interpretation and translation services; the making available on an EPA enforcement officer's request of personnel of the facility being inspected during their working hours to inform the EPA enforcement officer 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 production line or other testing.

(2) By written request, signed by the Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, and served on the manufacturer, a manufacturer may be compelled to cause the personal appearance of any employee at such a facility before an EPA enforcement officer. 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 are authorized to seek a warrant or court order authorizing the EPA enforcement officers to conduct the activities authorized in this section, as appropriate, to execute the functions specified in this section. EPA enforcement officers may proceed ex parte to obtain a warrant or court order whether or not the EPA enforcement officers first attempted to seek permission from the manufacturer or the party in charge of the facility(ies) in question to conduct the activities authorized in this section.

(e) A manufacturer must permit an EPA enforcement officer(s) who presents a warrant or court order to conduct the activities authorized in this section as described in the warrant or court order. The manufacturer must 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 manufacturer controls the facility. In the absence of a warrant or court order, an EPA enforcement officer(s) may conduct the activities authorized in this section only upon the consent of the manufacturer or the party in charge of the facility(ies) in question.

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

(g) A manufacturer is responsible for locating its foreign testing and manufacturing facilities in jurisdictions where local law does not prohibit an EPA enforcement officer(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 local foreign law prohibits.