|
The ASC was founded in 1961 as the American Seat Belt Council to assist in establishing uniform production and quality standards for seat belts. With the introduction of airbags, the name was changed to Automotive Occupant Restraints Council (AORC) in 1988 to better represent its diverse membership. In 2011, the organization became the Automotive Safety Council as the membership expanded to include suppliers of Acive Safety products which include braking and steering systems that, when coupled with advanced sensors, prevent accidents. The organization is international and includes manufacturers and suppliers of airbags, airbag components, seat belts, automotive seating and interior safety components, child seats, braking systems, steering systems and electronics.
Nearly 90 percent of the Active, Passive, Child and Interiors safety industry manufacturers and suppliers are ASC members. The Council now speaks for the industry, representing its interests and presenting its views on any and all national and international levels.
The Council and its members have been active in promoting safety through numerous activities including saved by the belt, saved by the bag, click it or ticket, state seat belt laws, technology fairs, annual technology meetings, child seat installation demonstrations and training, children in the back seat campaign and many more.
The Council has a presence in Washington, D.C., providing greater attention to important regulatory and legislative affairs. Additionally, with the increasing globalization of our industry, ASC is becoming more international in focus.
The Council operates under the guidance of a Board of Directors and an Executive Committee with a President and Administrator to carry out the day to day business of the organization.
The Automotive Safety Council has eleven committees including nine focusing on technical issues and two others to handle public education and government relations. The work of these committees benefits all members and the entire industry. We work with many government agencies on standards, technology and safety issues. We provide comments and petitions to the NHTSA and information to the Congress as needed in considering legislation. We are not a lobbying organization – we are an educator and information provider. We work closely with other industry associations, such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Global Automakers , Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the National Safety Council and the Automotive Recyclers Association.
|
