[Federal Register: April 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 79)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 20209-20210] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr26ap99-29] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 571 and 575 [Docket No. NHTSA-98-3381, Notice 3] RIN 2127-AG53 Consumer Information Regulations; Utility Vehicle Label AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT. ACTION: Clarification of compliance date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document relates to a final rule that amended the rollover warning currently required for small and mid-sized utility vehicles, to require a new label that uses graphics, bright colors, and short bulleted text messages. The final rule also required the inclusion in the owners' manuals of these vehicles of additional information related to rollover risks. The effective date for the final rule is September 1, 1999. The mandatory compliance date for the rule (i.e., the date on which manufacturers must begin complying with the amendments) is also September 1, 1999. We typically include language in our regulations, when appropriate, to permit manufacturers the option of complying with new requirements before the compliance date of those requirements. However, we inadvertently omitted such language from the above-mentioned rulemaking document. Today's document corrects this oversight and announces the date on which it is permissible for manufacturers to begin voluntarily producing warning labels and owner's manuals that comply with the new requirements. DATES: The effective date of the final rule published March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11724) remains September 1, 1999. The mandatory compliance date of that final rule is also September 1, 1999, however, voluntary compliance with the final rule is allowed as of April 26, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The following persons at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590: For labeling issues: Mary Versailles, Office of Planning and Consumer Programs, NPS-31, telephone (202) 366-2057, facsimile (202) 366-4329 For legal issues: Nicole Fradette, Office of Chief Counsel, NCC-20, telephone (202) 366-2992, facsimile (202) 366-3820 [[Page 20210]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11724), we published a final rule amending the rollover warning label and owners' manual requirements for small and midsize utility vehicles (utility vehicles with a wheelbase of 110 inches or less).1 The rule requires a new label that uses graphics, bright colors, and short bulleted text messages in place of the current, text-only warning label containing a paragraph of information. The rule also requires that additional information related to rollover risks be included in the owners' manuals of these utility vehicles. In addition, the final rule amended the air bag warning label requirements in Standard No. 208, Occupant crash protection, to allow the utility vehicle rollover warning label and the air bag warning label to be placed on the same side of the sun visor. The mandatory compliance date for the rule is September 1, 1999. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ ``Utility vehicles'' are defined in 49 CFR Part 575 as multipurpose passenger vehicles (other than those which are passenger car derivatives) with a wheelbase of 110 inches or less and with special features for off-road operation. 49 CFR 575.105. These vehicles (regardless of wheelbase) are commonly referred to as sport utility vehicles in the media. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In our final rules, we normally discuss the issue of whether vehicles or equipment manufactured before the compliance date for new requirements may comply with those new requirements in lieu of complying with the existing requirements. However, in the rule establishing the upgraded requirements for the rollover warning label and owners' manual information requirements, we inadvertently omitted any discussion of early voluntary compliance. To correct that oversight, this document makes it clear that manufacturers of utility vehicles with a wheelbase of 110 inches or less may comply with the upgraded requirements in advance of the September 1, 1999, mandatory compliance date without violating any other provisions of 49 CFR 575.105, Vehicle rollover, 49 CFR 571.208, Occupant crash protection, or 49 U.S.C. 30101 et seq. (formerly the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act). Any manufacturer choosing to comply with the new rule before September 1, 1999, must comply with the new rule in its entirety (i.e., they must comply with the new owners' manual information requirements as well as with the new, improved labeling requirements). We find good cause to make voluntary compliance with the final rule published March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11724) effective upon publication of this document. This document does not impose any additional responsibilities on any vehicle manufacturer. Instead, it corrects an oversight in the rule of March 9, 1999. This document merely clarifies that manufacturers which wish to produce rollover warning labels and owner's manuals that comply with the upgraded requirements of 49 CFR 575.105 and 49 CFR 571.208 before September 1, 1999, may do so. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117 and 30166; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50. Issued on: April 20, 1999. L. Robert Shelton, Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards. [FR Doc. 99-10318 Filed 4-23-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P