Aug 2026
UK Public HolidayAug 2026
NHTSA Seeks Public Input on Future Regulatory InitiativesAug 2026
NHTSA Continues Regulatory Updates to Modernise Safety StandardsAug 2026
Feature Spotlight: Plan Ahead with the Legislation Implementation Dates DatabaseJul 2026
Numerous Amended and Updated UN ECE Regulations Enter Into ForceJul 2026
NHTSA/EPA Accelerate Regulatory ActivityAug 2026
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to Amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135 on Light Vehicle Brake SystemsJul 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 PlanJun 2026
Additional Draft Euro 7 Emissions Implementing Regulations PublishedMay 2026
Draft EU Regulation on the Collection of Real World CO2 Emissions Data from Heavy Duty Vehicles PublishedApr 2026
Updates to the EU Requirements on Fully Automated Vehicles PublishedMar 2026
Updated Chinese Standard on Electric Vehicle Safety PublishedNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Aug 2026
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to Amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135 on Light Vehicle Brake Systems
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the June 26, 2026 Federal Register (F.R. Vol. 91, No. 122; NHTSA-2026-0728). This proposed rule would amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems, to distinguish how the braking requirements apply to vehicles with and without manually operated driving controls. The proposal is intended to accommodate Automated Driving System (ADS)-equipped vehicles by clarifying definitions, tell-tale requirements, performance requirements and test procedures, while removing provisions that are no longer relevant. The existing stopping distance performance requirements would continue to apply to all affected vehicles. The proposed amendments would remove requirements for hand- or foot-operated brake controls in vehicles designed never to be operated by a human, while requiring service and parking brake controls to be actuated by on-board systems. For ADS-equipped vehicles that retain manually operated driving controls, the current FMVSS No. 135 requirements would remain unchanged. NHTSA states that the proposal is intended to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens and design barriers without reducing vehicle safety and supports the ongoing modernisation of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for ADS-equipped vehicles. The NPRM requests public comment on several aspects of the proposal, including the removal of manual brake control requirements, revised definitions and test procedures, tell-tale requirements for vehicles without manually operated driving controls, and the proposed removal of the friction-type parking brake requirement. The comment period closed on July 27, 2026.
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.