[micahtoll]

I'm the author of that article, and it is true. You've linked to the correct law, but you didn't read it fully. Even if we drill down on a single item, like the backup camera you mentioned, then a more careful reading of the law shows the full requirements.

There you can see the reverse camera requirement is as follows: "(11) Low-speed vehicles shall comply with the rear visibility requirements specified in paragraphs S6.2 of FMVSS No. 111."

Follow that through to the full requirements for backup cameras in FMCSS No. 111 and you'll see that the LSV backup camera requirements are the same as the backup camera requirements for full motor vehicles. That includes that the factory that produces it is registered with the NHTSA. It's not enough for the chinese factory to claim that they meet the camera depth of field requirements, angle of vision requirements, color requirements, etc. They have to be registered with the NHTSA, after which they will be listed in the DOT database for registered manufacturers, as well as produce the product to those specific standards. So yes, there very much is a such thing as a "DOT reverse camera factory." If you consult the DOT's own online database, you'll find all of them listed.