(a) General rule.--The department shall promulgate vehicle equipment standards for vehicles, equipment and devices required under this part. To the maximum extent possible, consistent with safety, the standards shall be expressed in terms of minimum acceptable performance levels, measured against objective testing parameters.

(b) Applicability of Federal standards.--Federal standards promulgated with respect to the performance of any vehicle or item of equipment shall have the same force and effect as if promulgated by the department under subsection (a) and shall supersede any Commonwealth standard applicable to the same aspect of performance for the vehicle or item of equipment.

(c) Incorporation of standards by reference.--Subject to the provisions of subsections (a) and (b), applicable standards or recommended practices issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission, the American National Standards Institute, the Society of Automotive Engineers or any other generally recognized standards setting body may be adopted by reference, provided that copies of the standards are incorporated in the notice of proposed rule making.

(d) Applicability to certain vehicles.--Vehicle equipment standards contained in this part or promulgated by the department under the authority given in this part shall not apply to a motor vehicle registered as an antique or classic vehicle containing equipment which meets the original manufacturer's specifications.

(e) Extension of standards prohibited.--Vehicle equipment standards promulgated by the department shall not be extended to any vehicle which, because of its date of manufacture, is not required by Federal standards to have the equipment.