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NHTSA

Sep 2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 225 Child Restraint Anchorage Systems in Response to Petitions for Reconsiderations

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a proposal in the Federal Register addressing petitions for reconsideration of its January 7, 2025, Final Rule amending FMVSS 225, Child Restraint Anchorage Systems. The proposed changes would extend certain compliance deadlines and provide an additional two years for the sunset of the tether anchorage exemption for convertibles. NHTSA also proposes to deny a request that would allow tether routing over adjustable or removable head restraints to satisfy tether anchorage location requirements. The proposal further includes several technical corrections and clarifications to existing test procedures. Importantly, NHTSA would allow manufacturers to voluntarily comply with the revised requirements before the applicable compliance dates. These proposed changes may have implications for vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders subject to FMVSS 225 and are worth monitoring as the rulemaking process moves forward.

Jul 2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Issue Final Rule Preamble and Amended Final Rule for Event Data Recorders (EDRs) to Delay Timing of Implementation and to Establish a Phase-in Plan

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published an amended Final Rule and Preamble in the May 18, 2026 Federal Register (F.R. Vol. 91, No. 95; NHTSA–2025-0050).  This regulatory action addresses petitions submitted for earlier rulemaking and includes proposals to revise 49 CFR Parts 585 and 563 Event Data Recorders. The amended actions for the Event Data Recorder regulations allow delayed implementation dates and a 4 year phase-in plan. This Final Rule does not meet the criteria of a 'significant regulatory action' under Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (58 FR 51735, Oct. 4, 1993); therefore, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not reviewed this proposed rule under that Executive Order. This rulemaking is a deregulatory action under E.O. 14192 because it would reduce the implementation burden associated with the December 2024 Final Rule, which increased the pre-crash data recording duration and sample rate required under 49 CFR Part 563. Though the substantive requirements adopted in the December 2024 Final Rule remain unchanged, the NHTSA is modifying the compliance schedule in response to Petitions for Reconsideration that identified implementation challenges and risk of unintended consequences. Based on NHTSA's analysis, the lead time extension and phase-in may result in total quantified savings.

Jul 2025

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Publish Significant Number of Notices of Proposed Rulemaking

On May 30, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published in the Federal Register (Vol. 90 No. 103) 24 Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs). They have requested comments addressing all related issues. These NPRMs cover many regulated topics and varying aspects of regulatory actions that have been in force for a number of years. These proposals are intended to minimize confusion, remove unnecessary requirements and may assist in introducing new technology.