Vehicle Manufacturing in Canada - Compliance Requirements

The information contained in this Web page applies to Canadian manufacturers of new vehicles destined for the Canadian market.

All vehicles manufactured in Canada for the Canadian market are required to comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). Canadian manufacturers must therefore design, build and certify their vehicles to meet these standards in order to sell their vehicles in Canada.

The regulatory framework established by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) requires that manufacturers follow the specific guidelines under its pursuant Regulations, standards and test methods in order to demonstrate compliance.

Canadian manufacturers having demonstrated their ability to certify compliance for the vehicles they produce are granted the right to affix the National Safety Mark (NSM) by the Minister of Transport. The NSM is a maple leaf shaped logo which bears a unique number assigned to the Canadian manufacturer. This logo must be applied to all prescribed classes of vehicles being produced by the Canadian manufacturer for sale in Canada across interprovincial boundaries.

 

Compliance requirements also apply to the secondary manufacturing sector producing specialty vehicles using new chassis or altering vehicles from major manufacturers (ex: vocational trucks, van conversions, motorhomes, bused and limousines.)

 

What you Need to Know

These links provide information on the various regulatory requirements for vehicle manufacturers to follow and how Transport Canada sets and enforces them:

Useful Links

This section hosts information designed to help manufacturers assess compliance obligations for certain types of vehicles.

Related Links

Contact us

  • 1-800-333-0371
  • 1-613-998-8616 (Ottawa region and from other countries)
  • Email: mvs-sa@tc.gc.ca