In Canada, currently no safety standards or requirements exist that address hydrogen fuelling, storage or propulsion systems in motor vehicles. Transport Canada is considering amending the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSSs) in a way that provides alignment with Global Technical Regulation (GTR)13 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCVs). There are two main US safety standards for hydrogen-powered vehicles, FMVSS 307 Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles and FMVSS 308 Compressed Hydrogen Storage System Requirements. FMVSS 307 makes sure the vehicle is safe during normal use and after a crash. It focuses on preventing unsafe hydrogen leaks and system failures. Its requirements cover things like:
- How much hydrogen can leak
- How it spreads in closed space
- How containers stay in place
- How to reduce fire risks after a crash
FMVSS 308 makes sure the hydrogen tanks stay safe over time. It includes:
- Stress tests to check how the tank holds up to temperature changes and refuelling over its lifetime
- How to ensure hydrogen is safely released if the tank is exposed to fire
- Performance of parts like pressure relief valves
Transport Canada has worked closely with international partners throughout the development of GTR 13 to address the unique risks posed by HFCVs and to make sure that the GTR would be compatible with the North American self-certification regime. Transport Canada was involved in the development of GTR 13 through phase I (2002-2012) and phase II (2018-2023). GTR 13 includes requirements for both light and heavy duty hydrogen vehicles with a focus on two main aspects: (1) in-use and post-crash hydrogen fuel system requirements that concentrate on vehicle level protection against unsafe hydrogen leaks or system failure and (2) compressed hydrogen storage system (CHSS) requirements focused on addressing that the CHSS does not fail over its service life. These requirements include performing cycling representative of the stresses the CHSS will be subject to during fuelling and exposure to extreme environmental conditions. In a Final Rule published January 17, 2025, the United States (US) implemented GTR 13 into their domestic regulations through two new FMVSSs: 307 Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles and 308 Compressed Hydrogen Storage System Integrity.
Transport Canada wants your feedback. Should Transport Canada's requirements align with the hydrogen vehicle safety requirements from the US? Do you have any concerns with the hydrogen vehicles safety requirements from the US? Should Transport Canada consider permitting alternative, yet comparable, safety requirements - such as UN R134 instead of strictly aligning with US regulations? Are there other standards (e.g., ISO, SAE, or similar) that stakeholders believe offer an equivalent level of safety? Should Transport Canada allow manufacturers the flexibility to choose from multiple compliance pathways, or would a single harmonized approach be more appropriate? Commenters are encouraged to provide the rationale supporting their positions and recommendations.
The time frame for submitting input was opened on September 29, 2025 and will be closed on December 3, 2025. Transport Canada regulates the safety of motor vehicles and equipment to keep Canadian roads safe. Vehicle manufacturers and importers must certify that all new imported vehicles, or vehicles made in one province and sold in another, comply with Canada's safety regulations and standards.
The International safety standard UN Regulation 134 is used in the EU and other countries. It sets safety rules for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. It covers things like preventing leaks, crash safety, and safe use of both gas and liquid hydrogen. Based on the global safety requirements of GTR 13, the US standards FMVSS 307 and 308 and the UN regulation (UN R134) all aim to keep hydrogen vehicles safe but use slightly different methods to achieve that target.
This request for comment is available on InterRegs.NET for our Canada subscribers and is also available at Selectregs.