Canadian And US RV Standards Move One-Step Closer To Synchronization

Canada is by far the biggest market for exporting U.S.-built RVs and with updates to the latest version of the Canadian RV Standard, CSA Z240, the technical barriers to trade between the two countries has been reduced. For years, the RV Industry Association, Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA) and RV Dealers Association of Canada have been working together to reduce the trade barriers by synchronizing the U.S. and Canadian RV standards, NFPA 1192 and CSA Z240.

One of the last significant barriers between the two standards was the requirement in CSA Z240 to use CSA listed wire, while NFPA 1192 accepted either U.S. listed wire or Canadian CSA listed wire. Updates to the latest edition of the CSA Z240 standard now allows the use of either CSA listed or US listed wire made of non-metallic sheathed cable.

This means that U.S. manufacturers do not have to stock two slightly different, but equally safe types of wire in order to operate in Canada.

“Making it easier for our members to conduct business, while maintaining a high level of safety, is integral to the work of our standards team,” said RV Industry Association Senior Director of Standards Kent Perkins. “This is great progress for the industry, and I am thankful for the work of Shane Devenish, Lauro Pilla of CSA and the entire CSA Z240 Technical Committee on RVs.”  

“The synchronization of the US and Canadian RV standards is something we have been working on for as long as I have been at CRVA and it is exciting to have accomplished this last major step towards synchronization,” said CRVA President Shane Devenish. “Both standards have very high safety requirements and this latest update prioritizes safety while also making it easier for companies in our two countries to do business together.”

The only remaining technical difference between the two RV standards is the requirements for French and English warning labels in the CSA Z240 standard.

For more information on the CSA amendments, click here.