Important Update Regarding Secondhand Dealer General Licensees and the Purchase of Secondhand Catalytic Converters

Amendments in Relation to the Purchase of Secondhand Catalytic Converters

The City enacted Local Law 123 of 2022, which adds requirements for second-hand dealers in relation to the purchase of second-hand catalytic converters. This law went into effect on April 22, 2023.

Secondhand Dealer – General (SHDG) licensees who purchase a second-hand catalytic converter are required to obtain and retain information about the vehicle from which the second-hand catalytic converter was removed.

Before buying used catalytic converters, secondhand dealers must get the following information from the seller:

• year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle from which the used catalytic converter was removed;
• copy of the Certificate of Title from the previous owner of the catalytic converter;
• determination that the catalytic converter matches the manufacturer’s specifications.

Secondhand dealers must keep an electronic record of this information for six years and records must be made available for inspection by DCWP, NYPD and FDNY. Secondhand dealers must also determine and document that the second-hand catalytic converter is consistent with the manufacturer’s specifications for a catalytic converter from the vehicle identified by the seller.

Violations of this law may result in the suspension or revocation of license.

If you have any questions about these new regulations, please contact DCWP’s Business Compliance Counsel at BCC@dcwp.nyc.gov