[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 67 (Monday, April 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17598-17605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6523]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2007-27802]
Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of
Transportation (NHTSA).
ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of
information.
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SUMMARY: 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 proposes to consolidate four existing collections of
information into two collections, and seeks comments accordingly. The
first information collection proposes consolidatation of OMB control
numbers 2127-0511, ``49 CFR 571.213, Child Restraint Systems,'' and
2127-0576, ``Child Safety Seat Registration,'' into a new one. Thus,
all child restraint labeling and registration requirements would be
included in one information collection entitled ``Consolidated Child
Restraint System Registration, Labeling and Defect Notifications'' (OMB
Control Number: 2127-0576).
The second information collection proposes to merge the existing
OMB control number 2127-0038, ``49 CFR 571.205, Glazing Materials,''
into 2127-0512, ``Consolidated Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles
(except the VIN).''
DATES: You should submit your comments early enough to ensure that
Docket Management receives them no later than June 8, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments [identified by DOT DMS Docket Number
NHTSA-2007-27802] by any of the following methods:
Web site:http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for
submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0003.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this collection. It is requested, but not required,
that two copies of the comments be provided. Note that all comments
received will be posted without change to http://dms.dot.gov, including
any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
under Regulatory Notices.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL-
401 on the plaza level of the Nassif
[[Page 17599]]
Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Maurice
Hicks, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-113, Washington,
DC 20590.
Mr. Hicks' telephone number is (202) 366-6345. Please identify the
relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control
Number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB
for approval, it 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;
(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 collections of information:
(1.) Title: Consolidated Child Restraint System Registration,
Labeling and Defect Notifications.''
OMB Control Number: 2127-0576.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the
approval date.
Type of Request: Consolidation of OMB control numbers 2127-0511,
``49 CFR 571.213, Child Restraint Systems,'' and 2127-0576, ``Child
Safety Seat Registration.''
Affected Public: Business, Individuals and Households.
Summary of the Collection of Information: This action consolidates
two existing collections of information. In the previous collections of
information: (1) A collection was established to require manufacturers
to provide owner registration cards and to label each child restraint
system (CRS) with a message informing users of the importance of
registering the device with the manufacturer, and (2) another
collection was issued to allow NHTSA to implement a registration
program to send CRS owners a substitute registration form if owners had
lost the registration card. Furthermore, in the second collection, it
was also required that if either NHTSA or a manufacturer determines
that a CRS contains a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety or
fails to comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard, pursuant to Chapter 301 of title 49 of the United States, the
manufacturer must notify owners and purchasers of the defect or
noncompliance and must provide a remedy without charge. The proposed
revised collection will consolidate these provisions.
Child restraint manufacturers are required to provide an owner's
registration card for purchasers of child safety seats in accordance
with title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), part 571-section
213, ``Child Restraint Systems.'' The registration card is perforated
into two-parts (see Figures 1 and 2). The top part contains a message
and suitable instructions to be retained by the purchaser. The bottom
part is to be returned to the manufacturer by the purchaser. The bottom
part includes prepaid return postage, the pre-printed name/address of
the manufacturer, the pre-printed model and date of manufacture, and
spaces for the purchaser to fill in his/her name and address.
Optionally, child restraint manufacturers are permitted to add to the
registration form: (a) Specified statements informing CRS owners that
they may register online; (b) the Internet address for registering with
the company; (c) revisions to statements reflecting use of the Internet
to register; and (d) a space for the consumer's e-mail address. For
those CRS owners with access to the Internet, online registration may
be a preferred method of registering a CRS.
In addition to the registration card supplied by the manufacturer,
NHTSA has implemented a CRS registration system to assist those
individuals who have either lost the registration card that came with
the CRS or purchased a previously owned CRS. Upon the owner's request,
NHTSA provides a substitute registration form that can be obtained
either by mail or from the Internet \1\ (see Figure 3). When the
completed registration is returned to the agency, it is then submitted
to the CRS manufacturers. In the absence of a substitute registration
system, many owners of child passenger safety seats, especially any
second-hand owners, might not be notified of safety defects and
noncompliances, and would not have the defects and noncompliances
remedied.
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\1\ http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/
Vehicle%20Safety/Articles/Associated%20Files/csregfrm.pdf.
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Child seat owner registration information is retained in the event
that owners need to be contacted for defect recalls or replacement
campaigns. Chapter 301 of title 49 of the United States Code specifies
that if either NHTSA or a manufacturer determines that motor vehicles
or items of motor vehicle equipment contain a defect that relates to
motor vehicle safety or fail to comply with an applicable Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard, the manufacturer must notify owners and
purchasers of the defect or noncompliance and must provide a remedy
without charge. In title 49 of the CFR, part 577, defect and
noncompliance notification for equipment items, including child
restraint systems, must be sent by first class mail to the most recent
purchaser known to the manufacturer.
Child restraint manufacturers are also required to provide a
printed instructions brochure with step-by-step information on how the
restraint is to be used. Without proper use, the effectiveness of these
systems is greatly diminished. Each child restraint system must also
have a permanent label. A permanently attached label gives
``quicklook'' information on whether the restraint meets the safety
requirements, recommended installation and use, and warnings against
misuse.
Estimated Annual Burden: 265,500 hours.
Number of Respondents: 15.
The total burden hours for this collection consist of: (1) The
administrative hours spent to produce registration cards and labels,
(2) the hours spent collecting registration information, and (3) the
hours spent by CRS manufacturers to create and keep records.
Currently, approximately 15 CRS manufacturers produce,[ras1] on
average, a total of approximately 4,500,000 child restraints each year.
[ras2] NHTSA has determined that
[[Page 17600]]
approximately 1,575,000 owners or purchasers register (i.e., either by
registration card, NHTSA registration form or by the Internet) their
child seats with the CRS manufacturers each year (an estimated 35
percent return rate x 4,500,000 restraints).
For each child restraint system, a CRS manufactures must spend
0.025 hours to cut/print, label and to attach a registration card. A
manufacturer must also spend 0.04 hours to collect the information for
each returned registration and then spend a total of 0.02 hours to
create and keep a record on each child restraint system. Given these
estimates, the estimated total annual burden hours for this collection
of information are 265,500 hours. This number reflects the combination
of 112,500 hours to produce materials (0.025 hours per seat x 4,500,000
child restraints), 63,000 hours to collect registrations (0.04 hours
per seat x 1,575,000 registrations) and 90,000 hours to create and keep
records (0.02 hours per seat x 4,500,000 child restraints) each year.
(2) Title: Consolidated Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles
(Except the VIN).
OMB Control Number: 2127-0512.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the
approval date.
Type of Request: Consolidation of OMB control numbers 2127-0038,
``49 CFR 571.205, Glazing Materials,'' and 2127-0512, ``Consolidated
Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles (except the VIN).''
Affected Public: Business.
Summary of the Collection of Information: Because of the
similarities in the collections of information, NHTSA seeks to combine
the provisions of the existing collection for glazing materials
labeling into a collection for labeling information for five other
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
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 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, 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.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, ''Glazing
materials,'' provides labeling requirements for glazing and motor
vehicle manufacturers. In accordance with the standard, NHTSA requires
each new motor vehicle glazing manufacturer to request and be assigned
a unique mark or number. This number is then used by the manufacturer
as their unique company identification on their self-certification
label on each piece of motor vehicle glazing. As part of that
certification label, the company must identify itself with the simple
two or three digit number assigned by the agency. FMVSS No. 205
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 glazings,
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 to 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 labeled with position/model information.
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):
NHTSA anticipates that approximately 21 new prime glazing manufacturers
per year will contact the agency and request a manufacturer
identification number. These new glazing manufacturers must submit one
letter, one time, identifying their company. In turn, the agency
responds by assigning them a unique manufacturer number. For other
collections in this notice, no response is necessary from
manufacturers. These labels are only required to be placed on each
master cylinder reservoir, each safety belt and every motor vehicle
intended for retail sale in the United States. Therefore, the number of
respondents is not applicable.
Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
Resulting from the Collection of Information: Based upon previous
notice and comments for those information collections, 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.
[[Page 17601]]
Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collections of
information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions
of the Department, including whether the information will have
practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the
burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c); delegation of authority at 49 CFR
1.50.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2007.
Roger A. Saul,
Director, Crashworthiness Standards.
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[FR Doc. E7-6523 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am]
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