The decision to export vehicles for sale in the Canadian
marketplace involves compliance with numerous safety and
performance standards as set by the Federal government. These
requirements aim to ensure that all automobiles (standard and
electric) imported into the country comply with domestic standards.
The following information identifies the regulatory bodies in
charge of administering and enforcing these standards and includes
a breakdown and summary of specific standards that apply to
passenger and multi-passenger vehicles.
Motor Vehicle Standards
Importation
- The Federal government has enacted laws and regulations which
set out standards for the safety and environmental performance of
motor vehicles in Canada.
- The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) assists Transport
Canada with the administration of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act
(MVSA) and the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) by
administering and enforcing the conditions under which new and used
vehicles are imported into Canada.
Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Regulations
- The full title of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act is "an Act
to regulate the manufacture and importation of motor vehicles and
motor vehicle equipment to reduce the risk of death, injury and
damage to property and the environment".
- The MVSA empowers Transport Canada to issue the Canada Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards ("CMVSS"). The CMVSS prescribe
the minimum performance standards that must be met by motor
vehicles and equipment in Canada
- The MVSA applies to manufacturers engaged in interprovincial
trade and importers of vehicles or components into Canada.
- Vehicles which are manufactured for sale in other countries
other than Canada and the United States and do not comply with the
requirements of the CMVSS cannot be altered by the company and
cannot be imported into Canada
Key Elements of the MVSA
- The MVSA applies only to certain classes of vehicles and
vehicle components, including:
- Passenger cars
- Multipurpose passenger vehicles (i.e. vans)
- Trucks
- Buses
- Trailers
- Motorcycles and restricted use motorcycles
- Trailer converted dollies
- Chassis-cabs
- Snowmobiles and ATVs
- The manufacturer or importer of motor vehicles or components is
responsible for obtaining a certificate of compliance of applicable
standards and regulations. This process is called
"self-certification"
Key Sections of the MVSA/MVSR
- Section 6 of the MVSA states that no company or person shall
import into Canada any vehicle unless the requirements in sections
5(1)(a), (b), (d) and (e) are satisfied.
- Under Section 2 of the MVSA, a "national safety mark"
means the expression, "Canada Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard", and "standard" means a standard that
governs the design construction, functioning or marking of vehicles
or equipment for the purpose of reducing the risk of death, injury
or property damage.
- Section 5(1) of the MVSA states that no company shall apply a
national safety mark to any vehicle or equipment, sell any vehicle
or equipment to which a national safety mark has been
applied, or import any vehicle equipment into Canada
unless:
(a) the vehicle or equipment conforms to the prescribed
standards at the time the vehicle or equipment is manufactured;
(b) evidence of the conformity is obtained and produced in
prescribed form and manner;
(d) the prescribed information is marked on the vehicle or
equipment in the prescribed form and manner and on the prescribed
place; and
(e) where required by regulations, prescribed documentation or
accessories accompany the vehicle.
- Section 10 of the MVSA requires every company that
manufactures, sells or imports vehicles or equipment into Canada,
on becoming aware of a safety-related defect in the design,
construction and functioning of the vehicle or equipment, to give
notice of the defect to the following parties:
- The Minister;
- Each person who has obtained such a vehicle from the company;
and
- Each current owner of such a vehicle or equipment
- Section 10 of the MVSR requires that all companies maintain
records to prove that the vehicles and equipment it manufacturers
or imports into Canada conform to prescribed standards. The company
must retain these records for at least 5 years after the date of
manufacture or importation.
Exporting a Vehicle from Canada to the United States
Information on exporting vehicles from Canada to the United
States can be found in the Vehicle Transportation Regulations of
the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA)
Requirements to be Satisfied by a Manufacturer before its
Vehicle can be Imported into the United States
The manufacturer must:
- Submit a letter to the NHTSA designating an agent for service
of process and a letter from the agent accepting the designation if
the manufacturer is not located in the United States.
- Submit to NHTSA information which the agency will use to
decipher the manufacturer's vehicle identification number or
"VIN" format not later than 60 days prior to offering the
first vehicle for sale in the United States
- Submit a letter to NHTSA identifying the manufacturer's
name, address, and the products it manufactures that are subject to
the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), not later than
30 days after manufacturing begins
- Permanently affix to the vehicle, in a prescribed location, a
certification label meeting the requirements of the
regulations.
- The vehicle must comply with all applicable FMVSS at the time
of importation.
Certification Requirements for Motor Vehicles
- A certification label must satisfy the requirements of the
regulations that, among other things, identifies the vehicle's
manufacturer (i.e., the actual assembler of the vehicle), states
the vehicle's date of manufacture (month and year), and
contains the following statement: "This vehicle conforms to
all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) in
effect on the date of manufacture shown above."
- For vehicles other than motorcycles or trailers, the label must
be affixed to either the hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door
edge that meets the door-latch post, next to the driver's
seating position.
VIN Requirement
- Under NHTSA's regulations, a motor vehicle manufacturer
must assign to each motor vehicle manufactured for sale in the U.S.
a 17-digit VIN that uniquely identifies the vehicle. The VIN must
be correctly formatted and include a check digit in the ninth
position that is mathematically correct under a formula that is
included in the regulations.
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
The following standards apply to every Passenger Car and
Multi-Purpose Passenger Car in Canada. Listed below is a
description of each standard. For a complete technical summary,
please access the links provided.
Section in MVSR (Schedule IV)
|
Description of Standard
|
Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicle
|
Passenger Vehicle
|
101
|
Location and Identification of Controls and
Displays
Brief Description: list of controls, components and displays
which must be operable and identifiable by a driver. Also includes
identification requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
102
|
Transmission Control Functions
Brief Description: requirements for when a vehicle is equipped
with an automatic transmission. Identification of transmission
control positions.
|
X
|
X
|
103
|
Windshield Defrosting and Defogging
Brief Description: every vehicle must be equipped with
windshield defrosting and defogging systems. Also includes
requirements for passenger cars regarding defrosting and defogging
systems. Testing requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
104
|
Windshield Wiping
Brief Description: every vehicle must have a power-driven
windshield wiping system which has at least 2 frequencies or
speeds, and has the following: (i) one frequency or speed of at
least 45 cycles per minute; (ii) a difference of at least 15 cycles
per minute between the highest frequency or speed and a lower
frequency or speed that equals at least 20 cycles per minute. Also
includes testing requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
105
|
Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems
Brief Description: subject to section 135 of Schedule IV (light
vehicle brake systems), every vehicle must conform with the
Technical Standards Document No. 105, which specifies requirements
for hydraulic and electric service brake systems and associated
parking brake systems. Also includes requirements for common and
separate indicators which are used to indicate malfunctions, and
wording requirements.
|
X
|
106
|
Brake Hoses
Brief Description: every brake hose, brake hose assembly, and
brake hose end fitting that is equipped to a vehicle must conform
with the Technical Standards Document No. 106, which specifies the
labelling and performance requirements for brake hoses, brake hose
assemblies, and brake hose end fittings. Also included is a list of
ASTM standards.
|
X
|
X
|
108
|
Lighting System and Retroreflective
Devices
Brief Description: every vehicle must be equipped with lamps,
retroreflective devices and associated equipment that is required
by the Technical Standards Document No. 108, which specifies
requirements for original and replacement lamps, reflective devices
and associated equipment fitted to new motor vehicles. Also
includes requirements for location, special wiring, retroactive
sheeting and headlights, and information on daytime running
lamps.
|
X
|
X
|
108.1
|
Alternative Requirements for Headlamps
Brief Description: compliance requirements for alternative
headlamps emitting white light.
|
X
|
X
|
110
|
Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles with a
GVWR of 4,536 kg or Less
Brief Description: every vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg must
conform with the Technical Standards Document No. 110, which
specifies requirements for tire selection to prevent tire
overloading. Also includes language and form requirements for
prescribed information.
|
X
|
X
|
111
|
Mirrors
Brief Description: list of requirements for mirrors installed on
a motor vehicle. Also includes specific requirements for inside and
outside rearview mirrors and testing requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
113
|
Hood Latch System
Brief Description: each hood equipped to a vehicle must be
provided with a hood latch system. A "hood" is any
exterior movable body panel that is forward of the windshield and
used to cover a vehicle's engine, luggage, storage or battery
compartment. Also includes requirements for a front-opening
hoods.
|
X
|
X
|
114
|
Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention
Brief Description: compliance requirements for immobilization
systems.
|
X
|
X
|
115
|
Vehicle Identification Number
Brief Description: with the exception of walk-in vans, every
vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less must conform with the
Technical Standards Document No. 114, which specifies vehicle
performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of
crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor
vehicles. Also includes language, form and information requirements
for vehicle identification numbers.
|
X
|
X
|
116
|
Motor Vehicle Break Fluids
Brief Description: the hydraulic break system of every vehicle
must contain brake fluid that conforms with the Technical
Standards Document No. 116, which specifies requirements for
power-operated window, partition and roof panel systems in order to
minimize the likelihood of death or injury from their accidental
operation.
|
X
|
X
|
118
|
Power-Operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel
Systems
Brief Description: every power-operated window system,
power-operated partition system and power-operated roof panel
system fitted on a vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less must
conform with the Technical Standards Document No. 118, which
specifies requirements for power-operated window, partition and
roof panel systems to minimize the likelihood of death or injury
from their accidental operation.
|
X
|
X
|
120
|
Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles with a
GVWR of More than 4,536kg
Brief Description: every vehicle with a GVWR of more than 4,536
kg must conform with the Technical Standard Document No. 120, which
specifies tire and rim selection requirements and rim marking
requirements. Also included are the load range symbol requirements
for vehicles equipped with light-truck tires.
|
X
|
X
|
124
|
Accelerated Control Systems
Brief Description: every vehicle must conform with the Technical
Standards Document No. 124, which establishes requirements for the
return of a vehicle's throttle to the idle position.
|
X
|
X
|
126
|
Electronic Stability Control Systems
Brief Description: every vehicle must conform with the Technical
Standards Document No. 126, which establishes performance and
equipment requirements for electronic stability control (ESC)
systems.
|
X
|
X
|
135
|
Light Vehicle Brake Systems
Brief Description: every vehicle with a GVWR of 3,500 kg or less
must conform with the Technical Standards Document No. 135, which
specifies requirements for service brake and associated parking
brake systems. Also included are language requirements and
requirements for when a common indicator is used.
|
X
|
X
|
201
|
Occupancy Protection
Brief Description: compliance requirements for instrument panel
s, seats, interior compartment doors, sun visors and arm rests.
|
X
|
X
|
202
|
Head Restraints
Brief Description: every vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less
must conform with the Technical Standards Document No. 202, which
specifies requirements for head restraints in order to reduce the
frequency and severity of neck injury in rear-end and other
collisions.
|
X
|
X
|
203
|
Driver Impact Protection and Steering Control
System
Brief Description: compliance and testing requirements for a
vehicle's steering control system.
|
X
|
X
|
204
|
Steering Column Rearward Displacement
Brief Description: testing requirements for vehicles with a GVWR
of 4,536 kg or less and an unloaded vehicle mass of 2,495 kg or
less. Testing requirements for steering columns and steering shafts
regarding permissible displacements.
|
X
|
X
|
205
|
Glazing Materials
Brief Description: compliance, testing and marking requirements
for glazing material.
|
X
|
X
|
206
|
Door Locks and Door Retention Components
Brief Description: every vehicle that is equipped with side
doors or back doors must conform with either (i) the Technical
Standards Document No. 206, which specifies requirements for
vehicle door locks and door retention components, including
latches, hinges, and other supporting means, to minimize the
likelihood of occupants being ejected from a vehicle as a result of
impact; or (ii) the ECE Regulation No. 11.
|
X
|
X
|
207
|
Anchorage of Seats
Brief Description: every vehicle must conform with the Technical
Standards Document No. 207, which establishes requirements for
seats, their attachment assemblies, and their installation in order
to minimize the possibility of their failure as a result of vehicle
impact.
|
X
|
X
|
208
|
Occupant Restraint Systems in Frontal
Impact
Brief Description: includes requirements for seat belt
installation, seat belt fit, warning systems, release mechanisms,
crash protection, air bags, tension-relieving devices and
accessibility of seat belts.
|
X
|
X
|
209
|
Seat Belt Assemblies
Brief Description: every vehicle must conform with the Technical
Standards Document No. 209, which specifies requirements for seat
belt assemblies. Also includes requirements for the webbing
of seat belt assemblies.
|
X
|
X
|
210
|
Seat Belt Anchorage
Brief Description: installation, positioning and strength
requirements for seat belt anchorages. Also includes information
requirement regarding restraint systems.
|
X
|
X
|
210.1
|
User-ready Tether Anchorages for Restraint
Systems
Brief Description: installation and availability
requirements for user-ready tether anchorages. Also includes
anchorage position and strength requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
210.2
|
Lower Universal Anchorage Systems for Restraint
Systems and Booster Cushions
Brief Description: contains general information for lower
universal anchorage systems. Also includes installation,
positioning, strength and testing requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
212
|
Windshield Mounting
Brief Description: testing requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
213.4
|
Built-in Child Restraint Systems and Built-in
Booster Cushions
Brief Description: testing requirements and surface
requirements. Also includes requirements for the webbing of belts
provided with a built-in child restraint system. Buckle and belt
requirements. Label requirements regarding instructions.
|
X
|
X
|
214
|
Side Door Strength
Brief Description: testing and positional requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
215
|
Bumpers
Brief Description: conformance requirements.
|
X
|
216
|
Roof Crush Resistance
Brief Description: every vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less
must conform with the Technical Standards Document No. 216, which
establishes strength requirements for the passenger compartment
roof.
|
X
|
X
|
219
|
Windshield Zone Intrusion
Brief Description: testing requirements and requirements for the
lower boundary of the windshield protected zone.
|
X
|
X
|
220
|
Rollover Protection
Brief Description: every vehicle that is built in two or more
stages not using a chassis-cab with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less, and
every vehicle with a GVWR greater than 2,722 kg but not greater
than 4,536 kg and with an altered roof, must conform with the
Technical Standards Document No. 220, which establishes performance
requirements for rollover protection, or the Technical Standards
Document No. 216, which is referred to in section 216 of Schedule
IV.
|
X
|
X
|
301
|
Fuel System Integrity
Brief Description: every vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less
that is equipped with a fuel system that uses fuel with a boiling
point of 0°C or higher as a source of energy for its propulsion
must conform with the Technical Standards Document No. 301, which
specifies requirements for the integrity of motor vehicle fuel
systems.
|
X
|
X
|
301.1
|
LPG Fuel System Integrity
Brief Description: testing requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
301.2
|
CNG Fuel System Integrity
Brief Description: testing and marking requirements for CNG
cylinders.
|
X
|
X
|
302
|
Flammability of Interior Materials
Brief Description: the interior materials of every vehicle must
conform with the Technical Standards Document No. 302, which
specifies burn resistance requirements for materials used in the
occupant compartments of motor vehicles.
|
X
|
X
|
305
|
Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock
Protection
Brief Description: every vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less
that uses a nominal voltage of more than 60 volts direct current
(VDC) or more than 30 volts alternating current (VAC) for its
propulsion and that has an attainable speed of more than 40 km/hour
over a distance of 1.6 km on a paved level surface must conform
with the Technical Standards Document No. 305, which specifies
requirements for limitations of electrolyte spillage, retention of
electric energy storage/conversion devices, and protection from
harmful electric shock during and after a crash.
|
X
|
X
|
401
|
Interior Trunk Release
Brief Description: every vehicle must conform to the Technical
Standards Document No. 401, which establishes the requirements for
providing a trunk release mechanism which makes it possible for a
person trapped inside the trunk compartment of a passenger car to
escape from the compartment. It is also noted that vehicles
manufactured before September 1, 2010 need not be equipped with an
interior trunk release.
|
X
|
1106
|
Noise Emissions
Brief Description: noise testing requirements.
|
X
|
X
|
|