Legislation

North America
In April 2007, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the final rule for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 126 to make ESC mandatory in phases from September 2008. ESC will be required for all vehicles with a total gross weight of up to 10,000 lbs (approx. 4,536 kg) that are manufactured after September 1, 2011 for sale in the US. NHTSA calculated that mandating ESC as standard equipment could save up to 9,600 lives and prevent as many as 238,000 injuries every year in the U.S. alone.

In March 2009, Transport Canada proposed Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 126. This regulation will require all vehicles with a total gross weight of up to 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) manufactured on or after September 1, 2011 for sale in Canada to be equipped with ESC.