History of the NATM Compliance Verification Program: Timeline

By NATM Staff

2001: Volunteers were recruited to participate in NATM’s Compliance Verification Program which audits trailer remanufacturing companies compliance to federal standards. A third party inspected their facility and went over a list of items from the NATM Guidelines. The member paid $500. No report was furnished. During the year, 60 members had been recruited (approx. 25 percent of the current membership). Board members reported inability to recruit more participants because the program wasn’t meaningful.

2002: The Compliance Program was officially established and the first compliance consultant was hired. 115 Compliance consultations conducted. Membership stood at 347 manufacturing companies.

2002: Compliance decal was created for purchase by members that successfully completed the program. Approximately 25 percent of the members in the program began purchasing decals. 56,425 decals were sold.

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You know what you need to haul, Felling has the trailer to get it there. With over 100 years combined industry sales experience, we have the answers to your specialized trailer needs. 2011: Members unanimously voted on a Bylaws amendment making participation in the Compliance Verification Program a requirement of membership for trailer manufacturers. 80 percent of members were currently participating.

2012: Official start date for mandatory compliance.

2013: Total decal sales from the beginning of the program exceeded 5 million.

2016: NATM hired a second fulltime compliance consultant— now having three individuals on staff conducting compliance consultations.

2005: NATM Compliance Committee did a complete review of all compliance documents and established the Policy Statement outlining the requirements of the program. Members were required to sign prior to each consultation.

2006: A second compliance consultant was hired to help with the increasing number of consultations.

2007: Decal sales exceeded 500,000.

2008: A plan was developed to work towards mandatory compliance. Member participation was at 50 percent. A Technical Director was hired and assisted with compliance consultations.

ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System • WBENC-Certified WBE • EOE 2016: NATM met with NHTSA Administrator who commended NATM on its Compliance Verification Program and its commitment to improving trailer safety.

2017: Decal sales from the beginning of the program exceeded eight million. Membership has continued to grow since mandatory compliance was approved by the membership.

2018: NATM hires fourth compliance staff member, the Association now has a Technical Director, Compliance Director, and two compliance consultants.

2019: Compliance Verification Program goes digital, with consultations handled via tablet instead of paper checklists.

2020: NATM adopted new remote and hybrid consultation processes to continue the program amidst the pandemic.