Since when is the regulated cat in the USA and EU mandatory?

Hello together. Had today had a discussion with my work colleague (who thinks all evil comes from America) about the regulated cat. He believes that the Europeans have introduced the regulated cat. I don’t quite believe it. That’s why I would like to know since when exactly in the USA and the EU the regulated catalyst has been prescribed by law and who (car manufacturer) built the first unregulated or regulated cat !? Thank you