StandardsPortal.org

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Standards and conformity assessment information for United States of America

Trade Associations: Specialty Vehicle Institute of America

Primary Contact

Thomas S. Yager
Vice President
2 Jenner, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: (949) 727.3727 x3038
Fax: (949) 727.4216
Website: http://www.atvsafety.org

Organizational Overview

The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) is an information source about the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) industry. SVIA provides information on ATV standards and promotes model state legislation on ATV riding. It also serves as a liaison with state and federal agencies on ATV rider safety issues and ATV training courses.

SVIA was formed in 1983 as a national not-for-profit trade association and is based in Irvine, California.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute (ASI), a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, was formed in 1988 to implement an expanded national program of ATV safety education and awareness. ASI’s primary goal is to promote the safe and responsible use of ATVs, thereby reducing accidents and injuries that may result from improper ATV operation by the rider.

Scope of Membership Activity

Membership is open to all corporations regularly engaged in the business of manufacturing, importing or wholesale distribution of ATVs in the United States.

Scope of Services

ATV Training Program:

A nationwide network of nearly 900 training sites, over 2100 licensed Instructors, and 50 Chief Instructors has been established. ATV buyer information is collected from dealerships across the country via toll-free FAX lines and mail. SVIA’s goal is to provide excellent training to our member companies’ customers and other ATV riders at the lowest cost.

Communications:

SVIA members reduce costs by having the SVIA produce and distribute some of their dealer safety materials. As an example, SVIA produces and distributes a point-of-purchase video on safe ATV riding practices. SVIA mails its materials to a consolidated dealer list, reducing the duplication and cost of multiple copies being provided to multi-point dealerships.

Legislation:

Federal and state legislation and regulation affecting the ATV industry, including ATV age and usage restrictions, franchise laws, equipment regulations, and land use are monitored. Local legislative consultants are retained when issues of importance to the industry arise.

Technical / Statistics:

SVIA coordinates industry positions on technical issues and is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standard developer for the ANSI 4-wheeled ATV standard. Statistics are prepared for specific technical issues or other purposes at the request of, and to the specifications of, our Board of Trustees.

Public Information and Education:

SVIA maintains a public information and education service bureau to facilitate requests for information from the media and others. The program also assists in disseminating safety information to the general public and ATV users outside the hands-on ATV training program.

SVIA’s services are focused on the U.S. marketplace, but SVIA and its ASI division assist other countries in developing their rider training and safety programs. For example, Canada and Europe use the ASI ATV RiderCourse hands-on training curriculum under license.

Specific industry Information

The target industry is the U.S. all-terrain vehicle marketplace. As of 2006, there were approximately 8.6 million ATVs in use in the U.S. and the estimated value of the retail marketplace was roughly $5 billion in consumer sales. There are an estimated 25 million ATV riders in the U.S.

Standards-related Information

SVIA is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standard developer for the ANSI 4-wheeled ATV standard.

Conformity Assessment-Related Information

Currently SVIA has no formal activity in the conformity assessment arena.

Technical Regulations-related Information

The relevant regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over SVIA’s industry sector include the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).