Transport Canada regulates the safety of motor vehicles and equipment to keep Canadian roads safe. Vehicle manufacturers and importers must certify that all new imported vehicles, or vehicles made in one province and sold in another, comply with Canada’s safety regulations and standards.
Transport Canada wants feedback on two new standards that we’re proposing for hydrogen vehicles. There are currently no safety standards or requirements that address hydrogen fueling, storage, or propulsion systems in motor vehicles in Canada. Both the United States (U.S.) and United Nations (UN) have standards for these systems. They are both based on the Global Technical Regulation No. 13, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles (GTR 13).
The U.S. safety standards
There are two main U.S. safety standards for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
In-use and post-crash requirements
Standard FMVSS No. 307, Fuel system integrity of hydrogen vehicles makes sure the vehicle is safe during normal use and after a crash. It focuses on preventing unsafe hydrogen leaks and system failures. Its requirements cover things like:
- how much hydrogen can leak
- how it spreads in closed spaces
- how containers stay in place, and
- how to reduce fire risks after a crash
Compressed Hydrogen Storage System requirements
Standard FMVSS No. 308, Compressed Hydrogen Storage System Integrity makes sure the hydrogen tank stays safe over time. It includes stress tests to check how the tank holds up to temperature changes and refueling over its lifetime. The standard also makes sure hydrogen is safely released if the tank is exposed to fire and that parts like pressure relief valves work properly.
International safety standards
UN Regulation No. 134 is used in the EU and other countries. It sets safety rules for hydrogen-fueled vehicles. It covers things like preventing leaks, crash safety, and safe use of both gas and liquid hydrogen.
Based on the global safety requirements of GTR No. 13, the U.S. standards (FMVSS 307 and 308) and the UN regulation (UN R134) both aim to keep hydrogen vehicles safe but use slightly different methods.
We want to hear from you
Transport Canada wants your feedback!
- Should Transport Canada’s requirements align with the hydrogen vehicle safety requirements from the U.S.?
- Do you have any concerns with the hydrogen vehicles safety requirements from the U.S.?
- Should Transport Canada consider permitting alternative, yet comparable, safety requirements—such as UN R134—instead of strictly aligning with U.S. regulations? Are there other standards (e.g., ISO, SAE, or similar) that stakeholders believe offer an equivalent level of safety?
- Should Transport Canada allow manufacturers the flexibility to choose from multiple compliance pathways, or would a single harmonized approach be more appropriate? Commenters are encouraged to provide their rationale.
Reference documents
More information on these standards is available here: Background: New standards for hydrogen vehicles in Canada
How to participate
All Canadians and stakeholders can email feedback to us until December 3, 2025.
Email RegulationsClerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca and include “Consultation – New Standards for hydrogen vehicles” in the subject line.
Privacy Statement
Why are we collecting your personal information? Why are we collecting your personal information?
Your personal information is collected for the purpose of gathering stakeholder and public feedback for consideration on potential regulatory amendments to the regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Privacy notice
The personal information you provide to Transport Canada will be collected by the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Framework sub-program under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, subsection 20(1), and handled in accordance with the Privacy Act.
Will we use or share your personal information for any other reason?
Your feedback will be de-identified and published on the Canada Gazette website if we make regulatory amendments, as required under the Treasury Board Secretariat Cabinet Directive on Regulation.
What happens if you don’t want to provide your personal information?
Participation in this survey is on a voluntary basis. There is no requirement to provide your personal information.
What are your rights?
You have the right to request for access to, and correction of, your personal information. You also have a right to complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you feel your personal information has been handled improperly. For more information about these rights, or about how we handle your personal information, please contact the regulationsclerk-asfb-commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca.
For more information
The collection of your personal information is described in Info Source. Refer to the personal information bank PSU 938 – Outreach Activities.
Contact us
Mail:
Standards and Regulations, Road Safety and Vehicle Regulations (ASFBE)
Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks St
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
Toll-free telephone: 1-866-995-9737
Local telephone: 613-990-2309
TTY: 1-888-675-6863
Fax: 613-954-4731
Email : RegulationsClerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca