The Supreme Court Considers Conflict Preemption Case Concerning Federal Seatbelt Regulation
The Supreme Court heard oral argument yesterday in Williamson v. Mazda Motor of America, Inc., No. 08-1314, in which the Court is expected to address whether a federal regulation addressing motor vehicle safety preempts state common law. Specifically at issue is whether a manufacturer’s compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208—which provides vehicle manufacturers a choice of what type of seatbelt to install on certain seats—preempts design defect claims under state law. The Court’s decisions in this case and in Bruesewitz v. Wyeth, No. 09-152, a preemption case argued last month and covered in an earlier Report from Washington, may have profound implications for companies operating under federal regulatory schemes that set standards for product or consumer safety.