What are the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS)?

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) requires that motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, manufactured in or imported to Canada, are certified to comply with all applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). As in the United States (US), Canada follows a self-certification process which holds the manufacturer solely responsible for placing CMVSS-compliant vehicles or vehicle equipment on the market. However, type approval is not required for motor vehicles or equipment sold in Canada.

Transport Canada follows the US’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), and in some instances (i.e., lighting) the EU UN regulations. It also
modifies the CMVSS as necessary to match the country’s evolving environmental conditions and vehicle usage. OEMs and component manufacturers therefore face the challenge of demonstrating compliance with this evolving regulatory landscape if they want to sell their products in the Canadian market.

Why is CMVSS testing and compliance important?

The CMVSS identify mandatory minimum safety performance requirements for new motor vehicles and vehicle equipment in Canada. In addition, the standards apply to vehicles that are manufactured, modified, or altered for special purposes. If manufacturers cannot demonstrate compliance to the CMVSS they will be denied market access, cutting off any automotive sales potential within Canada.

By working with us and ensuring compliance to CMVSS you’ll gain the following business benefits:

• Save time and money by working with a competent partner who supports you with comprehensive services along the entire homologation process, helping you to minimise time-to-market and avoid costly product recalls.

• Gain seamless access to your Canadian customers by ensuring compliance of your automotive products.
• Enhance your brand reputation by demonstrating CMVSS compliance so you can prove the safety of your motor vehicles and vehicle equipment to your customers. A market reputation as a trusted company helps you to optimise sales revenue opportunities.
• Stay ahead of the competitors by working with our global team of experts, who have in-depth knowledge of the latest vehicle and vehicle equipment compliance requirements.

TÜV SÜD supports you in achieving CMVSS compliance for the canadian market

TÜV SÜD is your global leading partner for automotive homologation services. We have more than a century of automotive testing and certification experience, and our laboratories are accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025.

We partner with you through the CMVSS testing, self-certification and compliance process ensuring efficient access to the Canadian automotive market. Our global team of homologation experts and strategic partners can provide you with extensive technical advisory, testing and homologation services. We are familiar with CMVSS regulations and can provide efficient guidance to identify the relevant requirements for your motor vehicles and automotive equipment

TÜV SÜD's CMVSS testing and compliance services

We offer a comprehensive range of technical advisory, homologation and testing services to support you to comply with Canada’s constantly evolving regulations.

Homologation services

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

Multi-regulation management

We help you to understand and identify any overlaps with other regulations, including FMVSS. We also ensure that you stay up to date with evolving regulatory requirements 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 Canadian market.

Our TU?V SU?D experts can assist you with many of the Canadian CMVSS standards, such as:

CMVSS crash avoidance – 100-series. This includes:

• CMVSS 108 Lighting Systems and Reflective Devices

• FMVSS 111 Rearview Mirrors, etc.

CMVSS crashworthiness – 200-series. This includes:

• CMVSS 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact
• CMVSS 209/210 Seat Belt Assemblies/Assembly Anchorages etc.

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

• CMVSS 301 Fuel System Integrity
• CMVSS 305 Electric-Powered Vehicles, Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection, etc.

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