[Federal Register: June 30, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 125)]
[Notices]
[Page 39539-39540]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn04-135]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2004-17997]
Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of
information.
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SUMMARY: This notice solicits public comments on continuation of the
requirements for the collection of information on safety standards.
Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the
public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit
public comment on proposed collections of information, including
extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections.
This document describes a collection of labeling information on
five Federal motor vehicle safety standards, for which NHTSA intends to
seek OMB approval. The labeling requirements include brake fluid
warning, glazing labeling, safety belt labeling, and vehicle
certification labeling.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 30, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice number cited at the
beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, Room
PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. It is requested,
but not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket
Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Ms. Lori
Summers, NHTSA 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-112, Washington,
DC 20590.
Ms. Summers' telephone number is (202) 366-4917. Please identify
the relevant collection of information by referring to this Docket
Number (Docket Number NHTSA-04-17997).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
before a proposed collection of information is submitted to OMB for
approval, Federal agencies must first publish a document in the Federal
Register providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with
members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed
collection of information. The OMB has promulgated regulations
describing what must be included in such a document. Under OMB's
regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment
on the following:
(i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have practical utility;
(ii) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
(iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses.
In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public
comments on the following proposed collection of information:
Title: Consolidated Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles
(Except the VIN).
OMB Control Number: 2127-0512.
Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard form.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the
approval date.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Summary of the Collection of Information: 49 U.S.C. 30111
authorizes the issuance of Federal motor vehicle safety standards
(FMVSS) and regulations. The agency, in prescribing a FMVSS or
regulation, considers available relevant motor vehicle safety data, and
consults with other agencies, as it deems appropriate. Further, the
statute mandates that in issuing any FMVSS or regulation, the agency
considers whether the standard or regulation is ``reasonable,
practicable and appropriate for the particular type of motor vehicle or
item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is prescribed,'' and
whether such a standard will contribute to carrying out the purpose of
the Act. The Secretary is authorized to invoke such rules and
regulations as deemed necessary to carry out these requirements. Using
this
[[Page 39540]]
authority, the agency issued the following FMVSS and regulations,
specifying labeling requirements to aid the agency in achieving many of
its safety goals:
FMVSS No. 105, ``Hydraulic and electric brake systems,''
FMVSS No. 135, ``Passenger car brake systems,''
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials,''
FMVSS No. 209, ``Seat belt assemblies,''
Part 567, ``Certification.''
This notice requests comments on the labeling requirements of these
FMVSS and regulations.
Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the
information: In order to ensure that manufacturers are complying with
the FMVSS and regulations, NHTSA requires a number of specific labeling
requirements in FMVSS Nos. 105, 135, 205, and 209 and Part 567.
FMVSS No. 105, ``Hydraulic and electric brake systems'' and FMVSS
No. 135, ``Passenger car brake systems,'' require that each vehicle
shall have a brake fluid warning statement in letters at least one-
eighth of a inch high on the master cylinder reservoirs and located so
as to be visible by direct view.
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials,'' requires that manufacturers
mark their automotive glazing with certain label information including:
Manufacturer's distinctive trademark;
Manufacturer's ``DOT'' code number;
Model of glazing (there are currently 21 items of glazing ranging
from plastic windows to bullet resistant windshields).
In addition to these requirements, which apply to all glazing,
certain specialty items such as standee windows in buses, roof
openings, and interior partitions made of plastic require that the
manufacturer affix a removable label to each item. The label specifies
cleaning instructions, which will minimize the loss of transparency.
Other information may be provided by the manufacturer but is not
required.
FMVSS No. 209, ``Seat belt assemblies,'' requires safety belts to
be labeled with the year of manufacture, the model, and the name or
trademark of the manufacturer (S4.1(j)).
Additionally, replacement safety belts that are for use only in
specifically stated motor vehicles must have labels or accompanying
instruction sheets to specify the applicable vehicle models and seating
positions (S4.1(k)). All other replacement belts are required to be
accompanied by an installation instruction sheet (S4.1(k)).
Seat belt assemblies installed as original equipment in new motor
vehicles need not be required to be labeled with position/model
information. This information is only useful if the assembly is removed
with the intention of using the assembly as a replacement in another
vehicle; this is not a common practice.
Part 567, ``Certification,'' responds to 49 U.S.C. 30111 that
requires each manufacturer or distributor of motor vehicles to furnish
to the dealer or distributor of the vehicle a certification that the
vehicle meets all applicable FMVSS. This certification is required by
that provision to be in the form of a label permanently affixed to the
vehicle. Under 49 U.S.C. 32504, vehicle manufacturers are directed to
make a similar certification with regard to bumper standards. To
implement this requirement, NHTSA issued 49 CFR part 567. The agency's
regulations establish form and content requirements for the
certification labels.
Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number and
Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)
These labels are placed on each master cylinder reservoir, each
piece of motor vehicle glazing, each safety belt and every motor
vehicle intended for retail sale in the United States.
Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Record Keeping Burden
Resulting From the Collection of Information
NHTSA estimates that all manufacturers will need a total of 73,071
hours to comply with these requirements, at a total annual cost of
1,096,065.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c); delegation of authority at 49 CFR
1.50.
Issued on: June 23, 2004.
Roger A. Saul,
Director, Office of Crashworthiness Standards for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 04-14874 Filed 6-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P