Irvine, CA (2/10/2010)
- 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.”
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.