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What is the NATM Compliance Verification Program?
NATM’s compliance verification program is based on the Guidelines for Recommended Minimum Manufacturing Practices for Light- and Medium-Duty Trailers (Guidelines). The Guidelines is a compilation of federal safety standards and regulations, and industry best practices that govern trailer construction. Trailer manufacturers displaying the compliance decal on their trailers have passed the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers’ (NATM) compliance consultation. The compliance consultation is intended to verify that the manufacturer has the processes in place to build trailers in accordance with the Guidelines.  

How does the program work?
  1. NATM member volunteers for the compliance program. (However, by a unanimous vote of the members, participation in the program will be a requirement of membership effective January 1, 2012.)
  2. An NATM Compliance Consultant visits the member’s manufacturing facility for the scheduled compliance consultation.
  3. After successfully completing the requirements for the program, the manufacturer receives a certificate to confirm the company passed the compliance consultation.
  4. The compliance certificate is in effect for two years.  The NATM Compliance Consultant repeats the compliance consultation every two years.
What is the Compliance Decal?
  • The Compliance Decal is an emblem of NATM that signifies “Commitment to Safety.”
  • It recognizes NATM members that have successfully completed an NATM compliance verification consultation.
  • It provides the public some level of assurance that trailers carrying the NATM compliance decal have been built by a manufacturer in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and recommended industry practices.
  • It indicates commitment to producing a safe product.

Why should you buy a trailer built by a manufacturer that has verified compliance?
  • Compliance is the law! Items on the compliance checklist are mandatory Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that govern the construction of all trailers.
  • Compliant manufacturers have had a third-party expert verify their manufacturing processes are designed to produce trailers that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and recommended industry practices.
  • It signifies a “Commitment to Safety.”

For more information contact NATM Headquarters at (785) 272-4433.

Additional Resources
NATM 2011 General Education
PDF (Download)




THE TRAILER HANDBOOK: 
A Guide to Understanding Trailers and Towing Safety

The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) continues to work to improve the trailer industry through educating trailer users.  The NATM’s most recent effort is the publishing of THE TRAILER HANDBOOK: A Guide to Understanding Trailers and Towing Safety.  This 142-page book, authored by industry experts Richard Klein and Clint Lancaster, is an easy to follow handbook with useful information covering the essentials of trailers and towing safety.  







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Helpful Sites
Check your trailer's WMI www.nhtsa.gov

For more helpful sites, please check our Links Page

Additional Articles
Don't Take Your Trailer For Granted Part 1 & Part 2
-Clint Lancaster, NATM Technical Director
Multiview
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Are your trailers safe? Find out more about the NATM Compliance Program.
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