OTTAWA: The Government of Canada has taken its first step regarding its mandate about the use of electronic logging devices as part of its commitment to improving road safety by reducing commercial driver fatigue.
Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau has announced that FPInnovations has been accredited as the first third-party organization to certify electronic logging devices.
This is a critical step that ensures an electronic logging device is safe, reliable, and approved for use in Canada. Electronic logging devices are tamper-resistant devices that are integrated into commercial vehicle engines.
They are intended to ensure that commercial drivers stay within their daily driving limits and accurately log their working hours.
In 2019, Transport Canada announced that all federally regulated commercial trucks and buses operating in Canada would need to be equipped with a certified electronic logging device to better track drivers’ hours of driving, work, and rest.
Transport Canada, in partnership with the Standards Council of Canada, worked to develop a plan to allow for third-party testing and certification. Only certified electronic logging devices will meet federal requirements.
Prior to mandating the use of electronic logging devices, the department worked closely with the industry to determine an effective implementation timeline.
Transport Canada is committed to meeting the coming-into-force timelines for electronic logging devices, which remains June 12, 2021.
Canada’s electronic logging device requirement is the result of long-standing collaboration among all levels of government and industry partners. It also addresses a Saskatchewan Coroners Service recommendation following the tragic collision involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.
Best practices have shown that third-party certification for electronic logging devices will ensure a consistent, reliable, and accurate certification process.
FPInnovations has specialized expertise in this area. By having the highest quality certification process possible, Transport Canada will ensure that devices are tested and certified to be in full compliance with the regulations.
Marc Garneau said: “I am pleased to see the accreditation of Canada’s first third-party certification body for electronic logging devices, and I look forward to seeing even more companies accredited in the near future. The start of the electronic logging device certification is a major milestone on our path towards improving road safety in Canada.”
Glen Légère, Senior Director of FP Innovations said: “We are honored to receive accreditation from Transport Canada and the Standards Council of Canada as a certification body of electronic logging devices. We went through a rigorous accreditation process and have demonstrated compliance with the International Organization for Standardization standard, ISO/IEC 1706.”