[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 6597-6598] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-3193] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. 97-055; Notice No. 1] Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT. ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections of information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice solicits public comments on the manufacturer reporting requirements specified in 49 CFR part 590, for the phase-in of the motor vehicle rear-door retention requirement. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under new 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 reinstatements of previously approved collections. This document describes the collection of the information concerning vehicle manufacturers' plans for beginning to comply with these rear door retention requirements, for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval. DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 10, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket and notice numbers cited at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Section, Room 5109, NHTSA, 400 Seventh St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Please identify the subject of the proposed collection of information for which a comment is provided. It is requested, but not required, that 1 original plus 2 copies of the comments be provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each NHTSA request for collection of information approval may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Edward Kosek, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 6123, Washington, D.C. 20590. Mr. Kosek's telephone number is (202) 366-2589. Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Clearance 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 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 regulations (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 public comment on the following proposed collection of information: Production Schedule for Compliance of Back Door Locks and Door Retention Components With FMVSS 206 Type of Request--New Request for Clearance. OMB Clearance Number--2127. Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms. Requested Expiration Date of Approval--February 28, 2001. Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA must ensure that motor vehicle manufacturers comply with new provisions in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206 ``Door Locks and Door Retention Components'', requiring increased performance for back door locks and back door retention components. The new requirements published on September 28, 1995 (60 FR 50124), and July 31, 1996 (61 FR 39904), required new retention requirements for the rear doors of passenger cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks. The agency specified a one-year phase-in of this requirement. Vehicle manufacturers are required to produce a combined total production of 60 percent of their vehicles in compliance during the period of September 1, 1997, and September 1, 1998. After September 1, [[Page 6598]] 1998, the vehicle manufacturers are required to report on this phase- in, to the agency. The July 31, 1996 notice also specifies the reporting requirements, as specified in 49 CFR, part 590. Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the information--In order to ensure manufacturers are complying with new provision for back door locks and retention components in Standard 206, NHTSA needs reports from manufacturers of new passenger cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks which have liftgates, hatchbacks, rear cargo doors or sliding doors which are applicable to the Standard 206. For each report, the manufacturer will provide (in addition to administrative necessities such as identity, address) numerical information from which NHTSA will be able to determine whether a manufacturer complies with the percentage phase-in requirements. The required numerical information will include the total number of vehicles manufactured during the production year that are equipped with back door locks and retention components that comply with the new provisions of Standard 206, and the total number of vehicles produced. Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information-- NHTSA anticipates that no more than 35 vehicle manufacturers will be affected by the requirements. NHTSA does not believe any of these 35 manufacturers is a small business (i.e., one that employs less than 500 persons.) Each manufacturer must file one report. Additionally, the NHTSA may request compliance information on a specific model vehicle during the first year of the phase-in. Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden Resulting from the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that each manufacturer will need 12 hours per year of time for recordkeeping and 24 hours per year to prepare a report, at a cost of $30.00 per hour. Thus, the number of estimated reporting burden hours a year on 35 manufacturers at 1 report per manufacturer and 36 person hours, $30 per hour at an annual cost to the public of $37,800. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50. Dated: January 29, 1998. L. Robert Shelton, Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards [FR Doc. 98-3193 Filed 2-6-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P