INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION OF SAFETY RESEARCH

Governments around the world are tackling the multiple safety requirements across markets that are restricting use of common vehicle designs.

Motor vehicle safety regulations have evolved in different directions and at various paces, depending on safety problems that arose in each country from the increasing use of motor vehicles. Individual countries have regulations today that reflect their societal needs, traffic environment, motor vehicle industries, legislative and legal systems, and political realities and cultural differences.

Not only are the requirements different, but also the compliance evaluation procedures of regulations differ by country. While these differences may have been inconsequential in the past, the globalization of the auto industry has increased worldwide interest in the harmonization of automobile safety standards.