Written by
November 24, 2020
Prior to the existence of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, regulations for lamps and other vehicle components were often done by individual states. Suppliers wanted, and needed, a more comprehensive approach to scale the design and manufacture of safety related products for transportation. Several leaders in the industry got together and started the non-profit in the State of Illinois in late 1962. A major effort in the early years was establish what we now know of as FMVSS 108.
TSEI Achievements
Successfully pursued congressional repeal of federal excise tax on members’ products in early 1960’s.
Over the past forty years, multiple TSEI petitions, comments, meetings with and demonstrations to NHTSA officials have helped initiate, shape, and modify FMVSS 108, 111 and 125 as these federal safety standards apply to members’ products.
Brought successful litigation in several states to confirm the preeminence of the FMVSS self-certification process over state equipment approval programs in the mid to late 1970’s.
Successfully opposed attempted application of state approval programs to non-federally regulated emergency lighting products in the 1980’s.
Successfully petitioned NHTSA to pursue a $425,000 civil penalty court action against an importer of non-compliant lighting products.
Have ongoing liaison with NHTSA for periodic meetings on non-compliance enforcement activities and agency staff visitations to the “AAPEX” Show and TSEI member company manufacturing facilities
Enlisted strong congressional and allied associations support TSEI opposition to NHTSA proposal to eliminate FVMSS 125, which resulted in the agency’s retention of Standard 125.
Actively supported vehicle parts industry effrorts to secure passage of federal Trademark Anti-Counterfeiting Act.
Federal Highway Administration adopted TSEI Task Force proposals to amend Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to reconcile lighting, mirror and emergency products provisions with the corresponding FMVSS requirements.
Have maintained close coordination with Congress and NHTSA to encourage the agency’s active and continuous enforcement of Standards 108 and 125 against importers of noncompliant lighting and triangle products. Two results of these efforts were the $600,000 civil penalty levied by NHTSA on an importer of noncompliant lighting and an agency recall announcement concerning noncompliant warning triangles.
Have taken the leading industry role in supporting NHTSA efforts to rewrite Standard 108 so that is more user-friendly.