By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a proposed rule that would require light-duty vehicle manufacturers to place a label on the passenger-side sun visor, which describes how to submit a safety-related defect complaint to the agency. Defect reporting information included in the owner’s manual would also be updated.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a proposed rule that would require light-duty vehicle manufacturers to place a label on the passenger-side sun visor, which describes how to submit a safety-related defect complaint to the agency. Defect reporting information included in the owner’s manual would also be updated.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final targets for the amount of ethanol to be blended into gasoline in 2017, relying on expanded voluntary sales of E15 (gas that contains 15% ethanol) in order to meet the targets. The EPA is required to set ethanol targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a law designed to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil.
Ethanol produced from corn has been the primary fuel used to meet the RFS mandates. However, ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles produced before 2001 that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials, especially when the ethanol is in higher concentrations, such as E15. SEMA is hopeful that 2017 will provide an opportunity to reform the RFS in ways that protect the industry and the enthusiast community from E15.
For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final targets for the amount of ethanol to be blended into gasoline in 2017, relying on expanded voluntary sales of E15 (gas that contains 15% ethanol) in order to meet the targets. The EPA is required to set ethanol targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a law designed to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil.
Ethanol produced from corn has been the primary fuel used to meet the RFS mandates. However, ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles produced before 2001 that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials, especially when the ethanol is in higher concentrations, such as E15. SEMA is hopeful that 2017 will provide an opportunity to reform the RFS in ways that protect the industry and the enthusiast community from E15.
For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final targets for the amount of ethanol to be blended into gasoline in 2017, relying on expanded voluntary sales of E15 (gas that contains 15% ethanol) in order to meet the targets. The EPA is required to set ethanol targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a law designed to reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil.
Ethanol produced from corn has been the primary fuel used to meet the RFS mandates. However, ethanol can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles produced before 2001 that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials, especially when the ethanol is in higher concentrations, such as E15. SEMA is hopeful that 2017 will provide an opportunity to reform the RFS in ways that protect the industry and the enthusiast community from E15.
For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified 10 chemicals to be evaluated as potentially hazardous compounds under the new Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The law was updated last summer to provide the agency with new duties and powers to regulate hazardous substances and override a patchwork of state rules. Under the revised TSCA, the EPA has three years to determine if a chemical poses an “unreasonable risk” and, if so concluding, then another two years to mitigate that risk through regulations, which could include banning use of the substance.
The agency’s full 10-chemical list:
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified 10 chemicals to be evaluated as potentially hazardous compounds under the new Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The law was updated last summer to provide the agency with new duties and powers to regulate hazardous substances and override a patchwork of state rules. Under the revised TSCA, the EPA has three years to determine if a chemical poses an “unreasonable risk” and, if so concluding, then another two years to mitigate that risk through regulations, which could include banning use of the substance.
The agency’s full 10-chemical list:
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified 10 chemicals to be evaluated as potentially hazardous compounds under the new Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The law was updated last summer to provide the agency with new duties and powers to regulate hazardous substances and override a patchwork of state rules. Under the revised TSCA, the EPA has three years to determine if a chemical poses an “unreasonable risk” and, if so concluding, then another two years to mitigate that risk through regulations, which could include banning use of the substance.
The agency’s full 10-chemical list:
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued proposed voluntary guidelines intended to help address driver distraction associated with mobile and other electronic devices in vehicles. The agency has already issued voluntary “Phase 1” guidelines covering devices installed in new vehicles, such as “information, navigation, communications and entertainment” products that require the driver to take their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel. These guidelines recommend that operating a device not require more than two seconds at one time (12 seconds total to perform) and one hand to achieve.
The voluntary “Phase 2” guidelines will focus on cell phones, smartphones and other mobile devices. Among other recommendations, the proposed guidelines encourage manufacturers to design products that incorporate pairing (linking to the vehicle’s infotainment system), “driver mode” or other features to help keep drivers’ eyes and hands engaged in operating the vehicle. Certain functions would be disabled once the phone is paired to the vehicle, such as video and texting.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued proposed voluntary guidelines intended to help address driver distraction associated with mobile and other electronic devices in vehicles. The agency has already issued voluntary “Phase 1” guidelines covering devices installed in new vehicles, such as “information, navigation, communications and entertainment” products that require the driver to take their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel. These guidelines recommend that operating a device not require more than two seconds at one time (12 seconds total to perform) and one hand to achieve.
The voluntary “Phase 2” guidelines will focus on cell phones, smartphones and other mobile devices. Among other recommendations, the proposed guidelines encourage manufacturers to design products that incorporate pairing (linking to the vehicle’s infotainment system), “driver mode” or other features to help keep drivers’ eyes and hands engaged in operating the vehicle. Certain functions would be disabled once the phone is paired to the vehicle, such as video and texting.
For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.