Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Certification and Labeling Requirements for Rear Impact Protection Guards

1 month ago 3

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

FMCSA proposes to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to rescind the requirement that the rear impact guard be permanently marked or labeled with a certification from the impact guard manufacturer as required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS). The certification label or marking provides motor carriers purchasing new trailers or new impact guards to replace damaged devices with a means to determine whether the equipment is certified as meeting the FMVSS. However, the labeling or marking requirement has proven problematic for motor carriers when the label or marking becomes illegible or wears off during the service life of the trailer or guard. This proposal would eliminate an unintended regulatory burden on motor carriers without compromising safety, as this NPRM would not affect the applicable FMVSS. The proposal would also rescind a guidance document pertaining to illegible, incomplete, or missing rear impact guard certification labels.

Comments must be received on or before July 29, 2025.

You may submit comments identified by Docket Number FMCSA-2025-0107 using any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2025-0107/document. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Dockets Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: Dockets Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or (202) 366-9826 before visiting Dockets Operations.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.