Trucking Industry Urges FMCSA to End Label Rule

Feb 13, 2025 at 03:32 PM CST
For some time, fleet managers have faced the challenges that come with trailer rear-impact guard certification labels. Although small in physical size, the labels often serve as the difference between compliance or violations that can cause big headaches for fleet leadership. Through the course of a trailer’s time on the road, the labels often are damaged or destroyed by debris and wear and tear. However, manufacturers have been reluctant or unwilling to replace them, putting fleets in the awkward position of either risking a citation or retiring an otherwise-compliant rear-impact guard. Their concerns had risen to the point that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration earlier last year to rescind its rule concerning the certification labels. FMSCA denied the petition and, in December, announced its guidance that a missing or incomplete trailer rear-impact guard certification label won’t be considered a violation of a rule requiring one to be affixed.

Feb 13, 2025 at 03:32 PM CST

For some time, fleet managers have faced the challenges that come with trailer rear-impact guard certification labels. Although small in physical size, the labels often serve as the difference between compliance or violations that can cause big headaches for fleet leadership.

Through the course of a trailer’s time on the road, the labels often are damaged or destroyed by debris and wear and tear. However, manufacturers have been reluctant or unwilling to replace them, putting fleets in the awkward position of either risking a citation or retiring an otherwise-compliant rear-impact guard.

Their concerns had risen to the point that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration earlier last year to rescind its rule concerning the certification labels. FMSCA denied the petition and, in December, announced its guidance that a missing or incomplete trailer rear-impact guard certification label won’t be considered a violation of a rule requiring one to be affixed.