Automotive FMVSS Testing and Compliance

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) identify mandatory minimum safety performance requirements for motor vehicles and certain motor vehicle equipment in the United States. FMVSS have the goal of protecting the public by minimizing traffic crashes and deaths and injuries resulting from traffic crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the federal government agency that issues and enforces FMVSS for motor vehicles and regulated motor vehicle parts that are manufactured domestically or imported to the United States.

The Vehicle Safety Act requires that motor vehicles and regulated motor vehicle equipment manufactured for sale in the United States be certified to comply with all applicable FMVSS. Type approval is not required for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment sold in the United States. Instead, a “self-certification” process is in place, which requires the manufacturer to certify the vehicle or equipment item as complying with the applicable FMVSS