September/October 2021 Tracks

Page 18

History of NATM Compliance Verification Program

Tracks

History of NATM Compliance Verification Program By NATM Staff trailers in accordance with federal safety regulations and industry best practices. A key component of the program is that NATM conducts the consultation as an independent, unbiased third-party group that is knowledgeable in the requirements. NATM further provides technical support in understanding and applying these often complex regulations to trailer construction.

Established in 1987, the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) serves as the voice of the industry for its over 900 members and affiliates, including manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, and dealers, with its mission of promoting trailer safety and the success of the trailer manufacturing industry through education and advocacy.

Although the CVP is conducted for manufacturing facilities, it is also key for dealers and end-users. Federal regulations apply across the board, from the manufacturer to the end-user, including the dealer. Selling and purchasing compliant trailers helps to ensure federal regulations have been met, as dealers nor end-users are exempt. The federal government is cracking down on non-compliance across the United States, and consequences are not taken lightly. Fines are possible in the event of noncompliance, and the unit could be put out of service until the issue is corrected.

Trailer safety is a founding tenant of the Association. One way this is accomplished is through the mandatory Compliance Verification Program (CVP), requiring all NATM trailer manufacturer members to verify they have the manufacturing processes in place to build trailers that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and industry best practices. This program involves multiple components, all of which are geared toward creating safer trailers and, in turn, safer roadways.

In addition, non-compliant trailers pose a safety risk to not only end-users but everyone on the road. Trailer safety regulations are less well known than other industries, such as automotive regulations, but no one would sell or purchase a car without seat belts. Why should it be any different for trailers? Trailer manufacturers have equivalent regulations in place to help ensure end-user and road safety. To learn more about safe trailering practices, visit TrailerSafetyWeek.com.

The CVP begins with the Guidelines for Minimum Recommended Manufacturing Practices (Guidelines). The Guidelines is a compilation of applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, regulations, and industry best practices—all found in one easy to use, organized compendium. The purpose of the Guidelines is to create easy access to reference materials and federal regulation with which trailer manufacturers are required to comply. With this free flow of information and open lines of communication, NATM Members are provided with access to resources and information that can often be time consuming and difficult to compile on their own. Trailer manufacturing members undergo a biennial consultation. The consultation features an extensive checklist of items, all pulled from the Guidelines, intended to ensure trailer manufacturing member have the processes in place to build

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September/October 2021

For more information on how dealers can market compliance to customers, refer to page 20. For questions about the CVP, contact NATM Technical Director Terry Jones at Terry.Jones@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433.

In 1990, the first “Mark of Excellence” gold decals were sold to members for one dollar per decal.

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Member News

12min
pages 94-97

Free Advertising, Registration

2min
page 92

Take Advantage of the New Attendee Promo

1min
page 93

Booths Sales Open to All for 2022 Convention & Trade Show

3min
pages 90-91

Trailer Manufacturers: Sponsor a Dealer Event at the 2022 Show

1min
pages 88-89

Convention & Trade Show

2min
pages 84-85

MFG Day: Engaging Students

3min
pages 78-79

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Strategies

7min
pages 72-75

Little Changes Make a Big Difference

3min
pages 76-77

Customizable Courses

4min
pages 68-71

What to Know about Trailer Tires & Wheels

6min
pages 60-63

Clearance Lamps & Reflex Reflectors

6min
pages 56-59

When Winterizing, Don’t Forget the Tires

2min
pages 54-55

Tire Recordkeeping Requirements for Dealers

4min
pages 52-53

NATM Launches the NATM Online Store

1min
pages 42-43

NATM Launches Quality Management System Guide

1min
pages 40-41

Increasing Trailer Payload Webinar: Oct. 28

2min
pages 38-39

Workforce Development Summit Webinar Series Nov. 16-18

1min
pages 36-37

Trailer Hybrid Model EOS-12

4min
pages 32-33

Year-Round Sponsorship Opportunities Available

3min
pages 30-31

Updating Your Member Profile

4min
pages 28-29

Exclusively for NATM Dealer Affiliates

4min
pages 20-21

Diversity and Inclusion: Recruiting and Retaining Older Workers

3min
pages 26-27

Member of the Month: Red Fern Dynamics

4min
pages 24-25

NATM Decals: The Mark of Safety

3min
page 19

Available to Trailer Dealers

1min
pages 22-23

Compliance Verifaction Program

2min
page 18

Headquarters Report

3min
page 7

NATM Welcomes Mohwinkle as Marketing Coordinator History of NATM

1min
pages 16-17

Rep. Burchett (TN-02) Visits Homesteader LLC

2min
pages 14-15

President’s Report

3min
page 6

Have Your Voice Heard

1min
pages 12-13

NATM Regulatory Roundup Goes Virtual NATM Trailer Dealer Committee:

3min
pages 10-11

Underride Guard Legislation in the 117th Congress

2min
pages 8-9
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