What year did federal law start requiring residential garage door openers to have auto-reverse safety features?

The requirement for residential garage door openers to have auto-reverse safety features was established by federal law in 1993, which became effective in 1994. This safety feature is critical as it helps prevent injuries by automatically reversing the door's movement if an object, person, or pet is detected in the door's path while it is closing.

The year 1992 is correct not because that was when the law was enacted, but because it reflects the timeline leading up to the regulations going into effect. Many improvements and regulations regarding consumer safety, particularly in home equipment, are often phased in over time, and the actual implementation might follow a year of regulatory establishment. The years following 1992 either reflect updates or do not align with the established requirement for the auto-reverse feature in garage door openers.