Air Cleaner Regulation (AB 2276)

In accordance with California Assembly Bill 2276 (2006, Pavley), CARB adopted an air cleaner regulation to limit the amount of ozone produced from indoor air cleaning devices, with the goal to protect public health. The regulation became final on October 18, 2008. Additionally, several amendments to the regulation received final State approval on September 10, 2010.  During regulation implementation, manufacturers had three compliance dates to meet:

  • By  October 18, 2009, manufacturers were required to notify their distributors, retailers, and sellers about the regulation and provide copies of the final regulation to them, and to provide documentation to CARB that this has been accomplished.
  • All air cleaner models marketed or sold in California after October 18, 2010  had to be tested and certified as required by the regulation. This included air cleaners sold via the Internet.
  • As of October 1, 2012, all packaging had to show the required label printed on the package.

Amendments to the Air Cleaner Regulation (effective October 1, 2020)

Recently, the regulation was further amended, with several significant changes. These changes include the immediate elimination of the ozone test requirement for portable air cleaners that use UVGI lamp(s), with or without mechanical filtration, as long as they meet other requirements that are outlined in section 94804(b) of the regulation. The exemption from the regulation of electronic in-duct air cleaning devices has also been eliminated, meaning this type of air cleaner must be CARB certified prior to sale to California residents or businesses.  There is a 24-month phase-in period for meeting this new requirement, which will end on October 1, 2022. CARB is not certifying mechanical in-duct air cleaning devices that use only HEPA filtration. The text required on labels of certified air cleaners has also been changed and should now read:  Meets California ozone emissions limits.  CARB certified.  The label must still meet the same size requirements.  There are also changes to the industrial use exemptions, including the added requirement that ozone-producing air cleaning devices can only be used when no people are present.  There are also changes made to the advisory that is required to be placed on an uncertified ozone-producing air cleaner and additional information to be included in owners, operations, and installation manuals for the device. The notification requirement has been eliminated for manufacturers of certified air cleaners, although manufacturers of uncertified ozone-producing air cleaning devices are still required to carry-out the notification requirement as described in section 94807 of the regulation.  

Manufacturers and distributors of air cleaning devices are responsible for becoming familiar with the regulation and meeting its requirements. CARB has active enforcement of the regulation.

Air Cleaner Certification

Formal Regulations

Staff Report: Initial Statement of Reasons (ISOR)

Amendments to the Regulation (2020)

CARB Research Reports in Support of Regulation

How to Stay Updated

CARB encourages those interested in this regulation to subscribe to the Air Cleaner Regulation topic, in order to receive email notification of all notices given and actions taken related to the implementation of this regulation. If you have further questions, contact aircleaners@arb.ca.gov or (916) 324-9233.