Final answer:
The federally mandated warranty period for catalytic converters is 8 years or 80,000 miles, ensuring compliance with the Clean Air Act for a significant duration of the vehicle's use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The federal mandated warranty period for catalytic converters on new vehicles is 8 years or 80,000 miles. This warranty period is a requirement set by the federal government to ensure that vehicles comply with the Clean Air Act regulations for a considerable duration of their lifespan. This regulation applies to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) catalytic converters, which must meet the specified performance and durability standards within the given time frame or mileage.