(a) The prescribed acceptable quality level is 40 percent.

(b) A failed vehicle is one whose final deteriorated test results pursuant to §86.609-98(c) exceed at least one of the applicable emission standards associated with the test procedures pursuant to §86.608-98(a).

(c)

(1) Pass/fail criteria. The manufacturer shall test vehicles comprising the test sample until a pass decision is reached for all of the pollutants associated with all of the test procedures pursuant to §86.608-98(a) or a fail decision is reached for one of these pollutants. A pass decision is reached when the cumulative number of failed vehicles, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, for each pollutant is less than or equal to the fail decision number appropriate to the cumulative number of vehicles tested. A fail decision is reached when the cumulative number of failed vehicles for one pollutant is greater than or equal to the fail decision number appropriate to the cumulative number of vehicles tested. The pass and fail decision numbers associated with the cumulative number of vehicles tested are determined by use of the tables in appendix XI of this part appropriate for the annual projected sales as made by the manufacturer in its report submitted under §600.207-80(a)(2) of this chapter (Automobile Fuel Economy Regulations). In the tables in appendix XI of this part, sampling plan “stage” refers to the cumulative number of vehicles tested. Once a pass decision has been made for a particular pollutant associated with a particular test procedure pursuant to §86.608-98(a), the number of vehicles whose final deteriorated test results exceed the emission standard for that pollutant may not be considered any further for purposes of the audit.

(2) [Reserved]

(d) Passing or failing of an SEA audit occurs when the decision is made on the last vehicle required to make a decision under paragraph (c) of this section.

(e) The Administrator may terminate testing earlier than required in paragraph (c) of this section.

[59 FR 16304, Apr. 6, 1994, as amended at 79 FR 23702, Apr. 28, 2014]