FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) testing and compliance

What are Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)?

In the United States (US), Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) specify mandatory minimum safety requirements for the design, construction, performance and durability of vehicles, as well as regulated automobile safety-related components, systems and design features. FMVSS standards are intended to protect the public by minimising vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths.

These federal vehicle standards are the US counterpart to the UN Regulations developed by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, which are recognised to varying degrees by most countries except the US. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) is the federal government agency that issues and enforces FMVSS for motor vehicles and regulated parts that are manufactured domestically or imported into the US. OEMs and component manufacturers face the challenge of demonstrating vehicle safety compliance to FMVSS regulations if they want to sell their vehicles and components in the US market.

Why is FMVSS testing and compliance important?

The Vehicle Safety Act requires that motor vehicles and regulated motor vehicle equipment manufactured for sale in the US are certified to comply with all applicable FMVSS. Type approval is not required, but a “self-certification” process requires manufacturers to certify their vehicle or equipment to demonstrate FMVSS compliance.

TÜV SÜD supports you in achieving FMVSS compliance for the US market

TÜV SÜD is your global leading partner for automotive homologation services. Our global experts can partner with you through the FMVSS testing, certification and compliance process. We have more than a century of automotive testing and certification experience, and our laboratories are accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025.

Our homologation experts are familiar with existing FMVSS regulations and can provide efficient guidance to identify the relevant requirements for your motor vehicles and automotive components.
By working with us, you’ll gain the following business benefits:

• Minimise risk – through our independent, third-party testing and verification services that ensure compliance of your vehicles and equipment according to FMVSS requirements, supporting you to access the US market.
• Save time and money – as we support you with comprehensive services along the entire homologation process, which avoids time-intensive and costly rework and loss of sales revenue as a result of being denied access to your customers in the US.
• Benefit from an expert partnership – with our in-depth understanding of the latest changes and updates to the various guidelines and government vehicle regulations, helping you to meet FMVSS certification requirements quickly.
• Gain a competitive advantage – by demonstrating FMVSS compliance, which positively impacts your company’s reputation and enables you to access one of the world’s largest automotive markets.

TÜV SÜD’s FMVSS testing and compliance services

Our global homologation experts, and strategic partners, provide a comprehensive range of technical advisory, homologation and testing services to help you in achieving FMVSS compliance to ensure that you can access the US automotive market.

Homologation services

We support you in meeting the applicable FMVSS requirements required to export your vehicles or related systems and components to the US market.

Multi-regulation management

We help you to understand and identify the overlaps and evolving requirements of different government vehicle regulations so that you can achieve multiple certifications within one project.

Vehicle and component testing

We perform the full range of testing services for your vehicles and automotive components to ensure they meet relevant requirements before entering the US market.

Our TÜV SÜD experts can assist you with many of the US FMVSS standards, such as:

FMVSS crash avoidance – 100-series. This includes:

• FMVSS 101 Controls and Displays
• FMVSS 105 Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems
• FMVSS 111 Rearview Mirrors
• FMVSS 121 Air Brake Systems
• FMVSS 126 Electronic Stability Control Systems
• FMVSS 135 Light Vehicle Brake Systems

FMVSS crashworthiness – 200-series. This includes:

• FMVSS 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact
• FMVSS 207 Seating Systems
• FMVSS 209 Seat Belt Assemblies
• FMVSS 210 Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages
• FMVSS 213 Child Restraint Systems

• FMVSS 214 Side Impact Protection

FMVSS post-crash survivability – 300-series. This includes:

• FMVSS 301 Fuel System Integrity
• FMVSS 302 Flammability of Interior Materials
• FMVSS 305 Electric-Powered Vehicles, Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection

To find out more about this service, please contact us.