Law & Order

FEDS UPDATING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN U.S./CANADIAN SAFETY STANDARDS FOR IMPORTED VEHICLES

The United States and Canada have similar motor-vehicle safety standards. When they are not the same, manufacturers and registered importers are permitted to import Canadian-certified vehicles and bring them into compliance with U.S. standards. In recent years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued new safety standards, but Canada has not yet taken similar actions. These standards include FMVSS No. 110 (tire labeling), 118 (power windows), 126 (electronic stability control systems), 138 (tire-pressure monitoring systems), 202 (head restraints), 206 (door locks) and 213 (child restraints). The phase-in period for the new U.S. standards vary between 2007 and 2011. The NHTSA is proposing to update the importing procedures to note that imported vehicles must also be brought into compliance with the new standards, as they become effective in the United States. Comments on the NHTSA’s proposed revisions are due by September 13. For additional information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.