EPA Clarifies Farmers’ Right to Repair Non-Road Diesel Equipment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new guidance on February 2, 2026, confirming that farmers and equipment owners have a lawful right to repair their own non-road diesel equipment.

EPA clarified that the Clean Air Act (CAA) supports the right to repair and should not be used to restrict farmers’ access to repair tools, software, or information needed to maintain their equipment.

Why This Matters to Farmers

For many operations, timely and affordable repairs are essential to:

• Planting and harvesting on schedule
• Reducing downtime during peak seasons
• Keeping operating costs under control

EPA stated that manufacturers have, for years, misused emissions law to limit repairs to dealer-only networks, increasing costs and delays for farmers.

What the Guidance Clarifies

According to EPA, the Clean Air Act:

• Does not prohibit farmers from repairing their own equipment
• Does not require repairs to be done only by authorized dealers
• Does not restrict who can access repair tools or software

Instead, the law allows flexibility when repairs are legitimate and properly completed.

Temporary Emissions Overrides for Repairs

EPA clarified that:

• Temporary disabling or overriding of emissions systems is allowed for the purpose of repair
• Equipment must be returned to its certified, compliant configuration before operation
• This applies to modern non-road diesel engines, including:
  • Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems
  • Selective catalytic reduction systems
  • Inducement and emissions control technologies

EPA emphasized this clarification does not weaken emissions standards or change compliance requirements.

Impact on Equipment Choices

EPA noted that limited repair access has:

• Pushed some farmers to keep older equipment without modern emissions systems
• Discouraged use of newer machinery due to fear of dealer-only repairs and shutdowns

By clarifying repair rights, EPA says farmers should have:

• More repair options
• Lower repair costs
• Greater confidence using newer equipment

Background on the Guidance

• In June 2025, John Deere requested EPA clarification on whether temporary emissions overrides were allowed during repairs.
• EPA’s guidance directly responds to that request.
• In August 2025, EPA also urged manufacturers to revise DEF software to prevent sudden equipment shutdowns during repair situations.

What This Does — and Does Not — Do

This guidance:

• Expands repair access and consumer choice
• Reduces unnecessary repair delays
• Supports farmer productivity

This guidance does NOT:

• Change existing law
• Weaken emissions standards
• Remove environmental protections

EPA says the goal is to support farmers while maintaining protections for human health and the environment.

References

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Feb. 2, 2026. EPA advances farmers’ right to repair their own equipment, saving repair costs and productivity.