NHTSA, China agree to cooperate on motor vehicle safety

Sept. 12, 2007

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the People’s Republic of China "to strengthen the relationship between (the U.S. and China) in the area of motor vehicle safety and to improve enforcement standards," say NHTSA officials.

"We are strengthening the lines of communication and cooperation to improve the safety of vehicles and automotive equipment in both our countries," says NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason. "This agreement will also help us to better enforce our standards."

The bilateral arrangement "sets out a range of cooperative goals, including developing safety standards for automotive equipment and enforcing those standards."

It also encourages "developing and disseminating consumer information, developing and sharing automotive safety research and sharing efforts on improving vehicle fuel economy."

After a signing ceremony held earlier today, July 12, at the Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, D.C., a Chinese delegation and NHTSA officials exchanged information on requirements and procedures used in both countries to ensure compliance with automotive safety standards, as well as the processes involved in conducting safety investigations and recalling vehicles and motor vehicle equipment.