Every commercial motor vehicle carrying a load on a highway must be in compliance with Division 3 (Requirements for Cargo Securement System) and Division 4 (Tiedowns) of Part 1 of the National Standard.

A tiedown or securing device that is marked by its manufacturer shall be deemed to have a working load limit equal to the working load limit determined in accordance with the National Standard.

The Highway Safety Code sets out cargo securement provisions applicable to all road vehicles (heavy or light). The purpose of these legislative and regulatory framework policies is to ensure that cargos or objects transported by road vehicles are firmly and adequately secured so as to ensure the stability of the vehicle and make sure the objects that are transported do not fall or hit other vehicles or road users.

Heavy vehicles transport cargo of many different types and shapes, which are, most of the time, massive and bulky. They pose higher risks and require special securement provisions. Provisions applicable to heavy vehicles have therefore been specified in the Cargo Securement Standards Regulation