C.H. Robinson has begun informing its network of motor carriers about revised eligibility requirements that incorporate safety scoring models. The company's communication indicates that carriers exceeding specific intervention thresholds, based on their safety data, may no longer be eligible to transport freight for C.H. Robinson.
This policy adjustment appears to be a direct response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued two weeks prior. The ruling, in the *René Bates v. United Parcel Service, Inc.* case (though the article doesn't name it directly, this is the implied context), affirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 (FAAAA) does not preempt state law negligence claims against freight brokers. This means brokers can be held liable under state laws for negligent hiring of motor carriers, increasing their exposure to lawsuits if a contracted carrier is involved in an accident.
For freight forwarders and logistics professionals, this development signifies a heightened focus on carrier vetting and compliance. Brokers like C.H. Robinson are likely to implement more stringent safety checks and potentially deselect carriers with poorer safety records to reduce their legal and financial risks. This could lead to a tighter pool of available carriers for some lanes, particularly for smaller or less compliant trucking companies. Forwarders should anticipate similar moves from other major brokers and adjust their own carrier selection processes to align with evolving industry standards and liability landscapes. It may also lead to increased due diligence requirements for shippers selecting brokers, as the broker's own vetting processes become a critical factor in managing supply chain risk.
