The European Parliament is backing new measures to improve road safety and reduce road accidents. The rules would make a number of safety features compulsory in new cars. EU roads are the safest in the world with an average of 49 road fatalities per million inhabitants, against 174 deaths per million globally. Although road fatalities […]
U.S. Department of Labor Releases Updated Overtime Proposal
The proposed rule would boost standard salary level to $35,308 per year. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) yesterday announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would make more than a million more American workers eligible for overtime. Under currently enforced law, employees with a salary below $455 per week ($23,660 annually) must be […]
White House and California Discontinue Talks on Proposed Auto Emissions Regulations
On February 21, officials from the White House, Department of Transportation, and Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Trump Administration has decided to discontinue discussions with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding the proposed Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule. Despite the Administration’s best efforts to reach a common-sense solution, it is time to […]
Australia Releases Paper Outlining Mandatory OEM Service and Repair Information Sharing Proposal
Independent repair associations concerned about language on possible exclusions and lack of penalties for non-compliance. Australia’s Federal Government released its consultation paper that proposes key elements of a mandatory program for the sharing of vehicle service and repair information, including the establishment of a Service and Repair Information Sharing Advisory Committee. In 2017, the Australian […]
Consumer Federation Report Finds Auto Insurance Rate Growth Slowest in States with Active Regulations
According to the study, California drivers have saved $154 Billion over 30 years of active insurance oversight. Auto insurance rates have risen at a significantly slower pace in states that actively regulate auto insurance prices than those with less vigorous oversight processes, according to an analysis of nearly 30 years of data released today by […]
California Moves to Restrict Methylene Chloride in Paint Strippers
New regulation requires manufacturers to consider replacing methylene chloride with safer ingredients. As of January 1, manufacturers of paint and varnish strippers containing methylene chloride, a chemical that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) says has contributed to numerous deaths, will have to look for safer alternatives if they want to continue selling […]
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement Signed
Today at the G20 Summit being held in Argentina, the United States, Canada and Mexico signed the new trade agreement announced in October to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) centers on the auto industry and the Trump Administration’s desire to have higher North American-produced content in automobiles […]
U.S. Copyright Office to Exempt Repairers from Software Anti-Circumvention Prohibition
Successful petition by Auto Care Association and the Consumer Technology Association will give vehicle owners ability to permit third-parties to access and circumvent vehicle software and systems to perform repairs. Based on a petition jointly filed by the Auto Care Association and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the U.S. Copyright Office on Oct. 26 eliminated […]
General Motors Calls for National Zero Emissions Vehicle Program
Manufacturer believes national program supports its zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion vision. Could add more than 7 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. General Motors announced that it was filing comments today to the U.S. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on […]
U.S. Department of Labor Announces Proposal to Help Small Businesses by Expanding Association Retirement Plans
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to help small businesses strengthen retirement security in America. The proposed rule would make it easier for small businesses to offer retirement savings plans to their workers through Association Retirement Plans, which would allow small businesses to band together to offer 401(k) plans to […]