Managing Automotive Blog

NHTSA issued an Enforcement Guidance Bulletin that outlines the agency’s views on emerging automotive technologies. The bulletin suggests guiding principles and best practices for vehicle and equipment manufacturers as they develop and implement new technologies and report safety related defects.

There has been no let-up in the push for a final Trans-Pacific Partnership since the accord was signed by the 12-member countries on October 5th. This is especially true in the US, where US Trade Representative Michael Froman said that the agreement will be the template for future trade pacts.

Over the weekend, negotiators from the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and eight Pacific Rim countries agreed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the largest regional trade accord in history, accounting for more than 40 percent of the global economy.  

Despite the setbacks in Maui last month during the last ministerial meeting of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)[1] many still believe that the negotiators will resolve all outstanding items so that an agreement can be signed by the end of 2015 and implemented in the Spring 2016.

Congress has considered a number of bipartisan efforts to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act and reform the manner in which the EPA regulates the distribution and use of chemical substances that EPA determines pose an “unreasonable risk to health or to the environment.”

Automotive suppliers should take note that California’s Proposition 65 now imposes a duty on suppliers to warn consumers about risks associated with exposure to several plasticizers or softeners added to certain soft plastics that are commonly used in automotive products.