The Marchica & Deppa team
are the experts on the ANSI/SVIA American National Standard
for Four-Wheel All-Terrain Vehicles - Equipment, Configuration,
and Performance Requirements. Mr. Deppa and his engineering
team wrote the first draft of this Standard at CPSC in the mid-1980s
at the request of Congressman Joe Barton. Subsequently, that
draft served as the starting point for the Voluntary Standard
specified in the Consent Decrees, and Mr. Deppa led the negotiations
with the ATV industry that resulted in the ANSI Standard. While
at CPSC, Mr. Deppa and other members of the CPSC Engineering
Directorate reviewed the Standard periodically, provided formal
comment to ANSI and the industry on the contents of the Standard,
and also tested many ATVs to the provisions of the Standard
for the government. Both Mr. Marchica and Mr. Deppa, as well
as our associate Mr. George Sushinsky, have extensive experience
in developing the content of the ANSI Standard and in using
it to evaluate many different models of ATVs for CPSC. Although
the Standard does not provide specifications for the equipment
and instruments necessary to conduct the tests, there are many
factors to consider in the choice of this equipment. While we
were at CPSC, we developed the equipment and instrumentation
requirements that the agency uses for its compliance testing.
Thus we have a unique understanding of the tests, including
how the government will determine whether an ATV is in compliance
or not. The equipment and instruments we use at Marchica &
Deppa are equivalent to, and in some cases exceed the capabilities
of those employed by CPSC. If part of your concern is to achieve
compliance results that will be consistent with, and accepted
by, CPSC, then there is no question that we are the logical
choice. We continue to stay abreast of CPSC's involvement with
the Standard, and understand better than any other firm how
the agency will interpret the results of testing to the Standard
for compliance purposes. Marchica & Deppa tested several
ATVs to the Standard in 2006, and our report was presented at
a Congressional hearing in support of an industry request to
mandate the provisions of the Standard. To view the industry
statement concerning this report click
here - ATV Standards Report by SVIA.
We can test any ATVs for compliance to the ANSI Standard on
short notice. We are fully equipped with all the necessary facilities
and equipment, and can test any number of vehicles. In addition,
because of our unique background, we can also evaluate ATVs
for compliance with the provisions of the Letters of Undertaking
(LOUs) that the major distributors have signed with CPSC. These
LOUs have done much to shape the sales practices, advertising,
and equipment designs over the years, and they serve as a basis
for many of the interactions between CPSC and distributors and
retailers. Marchica & Deppa are uniquely positioned to interpret
the contents of the LOUs as they might apply to any other ATVs.
We also can offer important insights to the design features
of ATVs that might potentially become the subject of recalls
or other corrective actions by CPSC. Again, our extensive compliance
background at CPSC is an asset that can help your firm make
good buying decisions if you are contemplating distributing
or retailing ATVs.
