Snowmobile Safety Certification Committee Background

The snowmobile manufacturing industry first organized itself in 1965 when it formed the International Snowmobile Industry Association (ISIA). Over the years the structure has been altered and in 1995 the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) was formed to represent the manufacturers of snowmobiles throughout the world.

The snowmobile industry grew rapidly and it became apparent that there existed a need for safety and production standards for the snowmobile industry. Individual snowmobile manufacturers in 1970 worked closely with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) who helped form a subcommittee to develop recommended practices to guide manufacturers in the production of snowmobiles. In 1971-72, these recommended practices, developed through the SAE and other sources, were assembled by the safety engineering committee into a single usable document. This document was published in May 1973 as the Manual of Recommended Standards and Engineering practices for snowmobiles.

The Snowmobile Safety and Certification Committee (SSCC) was then formed and was presented at the International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) in June,1973. In June of 1973 the manual was submitted to the Canadian Federal Department of Transportation, to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the United States Bureau of Outdoor Recreation for their review and input.

The SSCC was recognized internationally in 1974 and continues now in its continual use and updated of the SSCC-11 Standards, which have been updated in August 2017. The Snowmobile Safety and Certification Committee is a non-profit organization which is concerned with the snowmobile machine and related product safety.

The standards within the SSCC requirements contains many specifications which are required to be met. They are all inspected and certified by a third-party Testing Laboratory. The standards are as follows:

SAE J-33: Snowmobile definition
SAE J-1161: Operational Sound Level for Snowmobiles
SAE J-192: Maximum Exterior Sound Level for Snowmobiles
SAE J-89: Dynamic Cushioning Performance Criteria for Snowmobiles
SAE J-92: Throttle Control Systems
SAE J-68: Switching Devices and Components
SAE J-1222: Speed Assurance Controls
SAE J44: Brake System Performance Requirements
SAE J-45: Brake System Test Procedures
SAE J-1282: Snowmobile Brake Control Systems
SAE J-288: Snowmobile Fuel Tanks
SAE J-2826: Test for Power-driven Parts
SAE J-1279: Snowmobile Drive Mechanism Requirements
SAE J-68: Tests for Snowmobile Switching Devices and Components
SAE J-292: Reflective Devices and Lamps
SAE J-277: Design of Voltage System
SAE J-278: Snowmobile Stop Lamps
SAE J-280: Snowmobile Headlamps
SAE J-576: Requirements for Plastic Materials Used on Lenses and Reflectors
SAE J-578: Color Specifications for Lighting and Markers
SAE J-592 and 594: Additional Standards for Side Marker Lamps, etc
SAE J-1062: Snowmobile Passenger Handgrips
SAE J-1038: Recommendations for Children’s Snowmobiles
SAE J-62: Children’s lighting
SAE J-280: Snowmobile Headlamps
SAE J-292: Cutter Lamps
SSCC-53: Snowmobile Identification Numbers
SSCC-63: Requirements of Exhaust Systems be made to a Certified Snowmobile have the proper identification stamped on the exhaust system

A snowmobile shall comply with all of the above requirements set forth in the appropriate lists and their approved tests.
The SSCC Engineering Group and the SAE Snowmobile Committee are two of the more active committees working within the SSCC and the ISMA. They meet on a monthly basis to continually update and review snowmobile safety standards and technology. The manufacturers Engineering Committees meet throughout the year with regulatory bodies from North America and Europe and beyond. Technology in all engineering fields moves at a rapid pace and we can all attest to the amazing products available to us from the manufacturers. These products represent the best of technological breakthroughs and amazing quality, performance and long-lasting life expectancy. The amount of time, work, energy, and knowledge that goes into every snowmobile produced is truly amazing and the vehicles are absolute artwork for engineering students worldwide.

Contact us

International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association
1640 Haslett Road, Suite 170
Haslett, Michigan USA 48840
Phone: 517.339.7788
Fax: 517.339.7798
ismasue@aol.com

Take our survey

We want to know you better!

Please take a moment to tell us about yourself.

Help us give you more winter fun!

Share with us how many miles you sled each year.

Connect with snowmobiling

Go SnowmobilingAvosmotoneigesSafe RidersSnowmobileInfo.org