What is the federal mandate regarding the warranty on a catalytic converter?

The federal mandate regarding the warranty on a catalytic converter requires that manufacturers provide a warranty lasting at least 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. This requirement is part of the Clean Air Act, which aims to ensure that emissions-related components, such as catalytic converters, are guaranteed to function correctly for a substantial period after the vehicle's sale.

The rationale behind this specific duration is to protect consumers by ensuring that costly emissions control repairs are covered for a reasonable span. This way, car owners can have peace of mind that they are not only driving vehicles that meet environmental standards but also that they will not incur unexpected repair costs related to emissions systems shortly after purchase.