FMVSS standards testing and compliance

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

FMVSS 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) issues and enforces FMVSS for motor vehicles and regulated parts manufactured domestically or imported into the US. Additionally, there are other industry standards which might need to be considered for certain automotive components.

Manufacturers are not required to obtain type approval, but they must follow a self-certification process to demonstrate FMVSS compliance of their vehicle or equipment.

TÜV SÜD helps OEMs and component manufacturers to ensure compliance with FMVSS regulations so they can sell their vehicles and components in the US market.

TÜV SÜD has more than a century of automotive testing and certification experience. Our global experts guide you through the FMVSS testing and compliance process.  By providing comprehensive services throughout the homologation process, we can help you minimise risk, avoid time-consuming and costly rework, and successfully enter the US market.

We provide efficient guidance to identify the relevant requirements for your motor vehicles and automotive components. Our in-depth understanding of the latest updates to guidelines and government vehicle regulations helps you to meet FMVSS certification requirements quickly.

All our FMVSS testing services are provided in our global ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories.

Our global homologation experts and strategic partners provide a comprehensive range of technical advisory, homologation, and testing services to ensure FMVSS compliance. 

• Homologation services – We support you in meeting the applicable FMVSS requirements so you can 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. If requested, we can also support you in increasing creditability by offering third party witness service for FMVSS testing. 
  
  

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

FMVSS crash avoidance – 100-series, including:

• FMVSS 101 Controls and Displays
• FMVSS 105 Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems
• FMVSS 108 Lamps, Reflective devices, and Associated Equipment
• 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, including:

• 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, including:

• FMVSS 301 Fuel System Integrity
• FMVSS 302 Flammability of Interior Materials
• FMVSS 305 Electric-Powered Vehicles, Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection
• The new FMVSS 307 and 308 for hydrogen