NTTC Applauds FMCSA Final Rule Rescinding Rear Impact Guard Certification Label Requirement

The National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) today commended the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for issuing the final rule under Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0107, which rescinds the longstanding requirement from 1935 that rear impact protection guards on commercial motor vehicles be permanently marked or labeled with manufacturer certification. The final rule is published in the Federal Register and takes effect March 23, 2026.

The final rule amends 49 CFR Part 393.86 to remove the certification label requirement for rear impact guards, which often becomes illegible or wears off during the service life of trailers — a situation that previously exposed carriers to avoidable citations despite equipment meeting applicable performance standards. Under the final rule, the underlying Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) compliance obligations remain unchanged, ensuring continued safety without redundant regulatory burden.

NTTC joined other industry stakeholders in supporting this action through comments on the proposed rule, highlighting that once installed and maintained, the structural safety of the rear impact guard is best demonstrated through physical condition rather than a faded or missing label.

In July 2025, NTTC wrote to FMCSA stating, "NTTC believes that rear impact guards are critical for the safe operation of tank trucks, and wholeheartedly supports their inclusion of items needed for routine inspection. However, tank truck carriers have indicated that they are unable to have manufacturers reproduce missing or damaged labels resulting in unpreventable and unjustified violations of 49 CFR 393.86...NTTC is grateful for FMCSA’s commitment to reduce this regulatory burden on carriers without compromising safety."