WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2002) — The U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a final rule setting new standards for inspecting and tying down cargo.

The U.S. rule is based on the North American Cargo Securement Standard Model Regulations developed by Canadian and American regulators over the past 10 years. It takes effect on Dec. 26, although carriers have until Jan. 1, 2004, to comply.

The rule clarifies how to determine the working load limit of cargo securement systems and the way carriers should use these tiedown devices to secure cargo so it does not leak, spill, blow, or fall. It sets mandates for anchor points, tie-downs, friction, blocking, and special commodities like dressed lumber and metal coils.

The final rule can be viewed by searching for docket number FMCSA-97-2289 at http://dms.dot.gov/.

Canada and Mexico also are considering adopting provisions of the North American model regulations. With uniform rules would come more uniform enforcement across North America.