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Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
Urges Enthusiasts and Industry to Comment on
CPSC's ROV Rulemaking
ROHVA Creates
www.rohva.org/anpr to Facilitate Submission
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2010 -- The
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
(ROHVA) is calling on enthusiasts and industry
representatives to submit comments by March 15,
2010 in response to the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) proposed mandatory
standards for Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles
(ROVs), also known as side-by-sides and UTVs.
ROHVA previously expressed disappointment
with CPSC's October 2009 vote to issue an
Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR)
for mandatory ROV standards. ROHVA
believes this action is premature because an
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
process to develop standards for ROVs had long
been underway. Since that time, the
process has been completed and the proposed ANSI
standard is under final review. Components of
the standard include protective gear
requirements, a certified roll-over protective
structure, a minimum of three point seatbelts
for each seating position, and multiple lateral
stability criteria.
ROHVA has created a web page -
www.rohva.org/anpr - for enthusiasts and
industry representatives that contains
explanations of ROHVA's position on ROV
standards and links to important documents.
The page also contains a link and other
resources to facilitate stakeholders' submission
of comments on the CPSC's ANPR.
"ROV stakeholders need to be heard on whether
the appropriate next step to establish ROV
standards is moving forward with CPSC-imposed
mandatory federal standards or instead gaining
experience under the ANSI standards and
promoting the ROV Safety Rules available at
www.rohva.org,"
said Paul Vitrano, ROHVA executive vice
president.
The ANSI standard development process
involves a variety of interests including CPSC
and other government representatives, industry,
consumers and others. Participants reach a
consensus on an appropriate ANSI standard for
ROV equipment, configuration and performance
requirements.
ROHVA has met several times with CPSC staff
in an effort to address their concerns about the
ANSI standard.
"ROHVA appreciates the Commissioners' and
CPSC staff's interest in and willingness to
discuss key technical issues, and our dialogue
has been productive," Vitrano said. "While
there is agreement between CPSC and ROHVA on
many aspects of ROV standards, there continues
to be disagreement over some important technical
issues, including vehicle stability, vehicle
handling and occupant protection and retention."
Vitrano concluded, "It also should be noted
that the overwhelming majority of ROV operators
and passengers use the vehicles safely and
responsibly and benefit from the unique
recreational and utility capabilities of these
vehicles."
About The Recreational
Off-Highway Vehicle Association
The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle
Association is a national industry organization
that promotes the safe and responsible use of
ROVs. ROHVA is accredited by the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop
equipment, configuration and performance
standards. Based in Irvine, Calif., the
not-for-profit association is sponsored by
Arctic Cat, BRP, Polaris and Yamaha. For more
information visit
www.rohva.org.
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