Compliance with federal safety standards is generally admissible as evidence but does not conclusively establish non-defectiveness. Some statutes expressly preserve state remedies notwithstanding compliance.
A few states provide a statutory presumption for compliant products.
Alternative Names:
Federal Standards Compliance, Regulatory Compliance (Products)
Why it Matters?
Savings clauses preserving state remedies are what defeat the argument that compliance forecloses liability, and most federal safety statutes contain them. That makes compliance evidence rather than a defense in most contexts. Where a state provides a statutory presumption of non-defectiveness for compliant products, the burden shifts meaningfully and developing the compliance record thoroughly becomes worthwhile.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Does federal compliance foreclose liability?
When does compliance matter most?
