[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 135 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36776-36778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17749]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 96-073; No. 1]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections of 
information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 four collections of information for which 
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 10, 1996.

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 proposed collection of information for which a comment is 
provided, by referencing its OMB Clearance Number. 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 request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Ed 
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 four proposed collections of information:

Production System for Mandatory Installation of Air Bags In All 
Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

    Type of Request--Reinstatement of clearance.
    OMB Clearance Number--2127-0535.
    Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--September 1, 1998.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA must ensure that 
motor vehicle manufacturers comply with a new provision in the 1991 
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act requiring that 95 
percent of all new passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 
1996 but before September 1, 1997 shall be equipped with inflatable 
restraints accompanied by lap/shoulder safety belts for both front 
outboard seating positions, and 100 percent thereafter. Similarly, 80 
percent of all new light trucks, small buses, and multipurpose 
passenger vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 1997 but 
before September 1, 1998 shall be so equipped, and 100 percent 
thereafter.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the 
information--In order to ensure manufacturers are complying with the 
1991 statute, NHTSA needs reports from manufacturers of new passenger 
cars and new light trucks, small buses, and multipurpose passenger 
vehicles. 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 each 
vehicle type manufactured during the production year that are equipped 
with air bags, and the total number of each vehicle type 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 23 vehicle manufacturers will be 
affected by the reporting requirements. NHTSA does not believe any of 
these 23 manufacturers is a small business (i.e., one that employs less 
than 500 persons) since each manufacturer employs more than 500 
persons. Manufacturers of passenger cars must file one report. 
Similarly, manufacturers of light trucks, small buses, and multipurpose 
passenger vehicles must file one report.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that each 
manufacturer will need 24 hours to prepare a report, at a cost of 
$30.00 per hour. Thus, the number of estimated reporting burden hours a 
year on manufacturers (23 manufacturers multiplied by 1 report 
multiplied by 24 hours for each report) is 552, at a cost of $16,560 
for each report that they must submit.
    NHTSA estimates that each manufacturer will incur 12 burden hours a 
year in recording and keeping the information. Thus, the total 
recordkeeping burden on the manufacturers (23 manufacturers multiplied 
by 1 report multiplied by 12 hours) is 276 hours. Assuming a cost of 
$30.00 an hour, the total recordkeeping cost per manufacturer per year 
is $8,280.00 for each report that they must submit.

49 CFR Section 551.45--Designation of Agent

    Type of Request--Reinstatement of clearance.
    OMB Control Number--2127-0040.
    Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.

[[Page 36777]]

    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of 
approval.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--This collection of 
information applies to motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment 
manufacturers located outside of the United States (foreign 
manufacturers). Every manufacturer offering a motor vehicle or item of 
motor vehicle equipment for importation into the United States is 
statutorily required to designate in writing an agent upon whom service 
of all administrative and judicial processes, notices, orders, 
decisions and requirements may be made for and on behalf of the 
manufacturer. (49 U.S.C. 30164) These designations are required to be 
filed with NHTSA.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--NHTSA needs this information in case it needs to advise a 
foreign manufacturer of a safety related defect in its products so that 
the manufacturer can, in turn, notify purchasers and correct the 
defect. This information also enables NHTSA to serve a foreign 
manufacturer with all administrative and judicial processes, notices, 
orders, decisions and requirements.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that the 
number of respondents per year is 70. Each respondent provides the 
information once. NHTSA estimates it takes one hour to write the letter 
to NHTSA providing the information. The estimated total burden on all 
respondents for this standard is 70 hours per year.
    Based on an assumed clerical cost of $20.00 per hour, it costs each 
manufacturer $20.00 to write the letter, and postage (on the average 
from a foreign country) of approximately $1.00 per letter. Thus, each 
response costs the manufacturer a total of $21.00. Since NHTSA 
estimates the number of respondents per year is 70, the total cost on 
all respondents per year is approximately $1,470.00.
    There are no recordkeeping costs to the manufacturers.

49 CFR Parts 591 and 592--Motor Vehicle Importation

    Type of Request--Reinstatement of clearance.
    OMB Clearance Number--2127-0002.
    Form Number--Form HS-7 and Form HS-474.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of 
clearance.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--A motor vehicle which 
does not conform to applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 
(FMVSSs) is statutorily required to be refused admission into the 
United States, except under certain circumstances. (49 U.S.C. 30141 et 
seq.) NHTSA may authorize importation of nonconforming vehicles upon 
specified terms and conditions (include the furnishing of bond) to 
ensure that any such vehicle will be brought into conformity with all 
applicable FMVSSs or will be exported out of or abandoned to the United 
States at no cost.
    Before importing a nonconforming vehicle, a Registered Importer 
must fill out Form HS-7 Declaration and Form HS-474 Bond Conformance 
that requires posting bond to ensure the vehicle will be brought into 
conformance with all applicable FMVSSs.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--If NHTSA could not collect the information needed for the 
import program, it could not fulfill its statutory obligation to 
monitor importation of nonconforming motor vehicles and motor vehicle 
equipment into the United States. NHTSA has used and uses the 
information to monitor noncomplying vehicles presented for importation 
into the United States, to ascertain whether the vehicles are actually 
brought into conformance with the FMVSSs, and to determine the validity 
of the statements under which the vehicles were entered into the United 
States.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information--
The likely respondents are Registered Importers of vehicles or parties 
with contracts with Registered Importers. The collection of information 
burden on each Registered Importer depends on how often the Importer 
imports noncomplying vehicles.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that the 
total information collection burden on Registered Importers is 16,600 
hours. Based on an assumed cost of $20.00 per hour for clerical/
professional personnel to collect the information, the yearly 
information collection cost to industry is 16,600 hours multiplied by 
$20.00, or $332,000.
    The cost per Importer for record keeping is minimal. NHTSA 
estimates that the aggregate cost to industry of storing the Form HS-
474 information is approximately $160.00 per year, and the cost of 
storing the Form HS-7 information is approximately $160.00 per year.

49 CFR Part 571.213--Child Restraint Systems

    Type of Request--Extension of a currently approved clearance.
    OMB Clearance Number--2127-0511.
    Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of 
clearance.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA has issued Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, Child Restraint Systems, which 
specifies requirements for restraint systems used to protect infants 
and young children in motor vehicle and aircraft accidents. Standard 
No. 213 requires that manufacturers provide labels and other printed 
information to ensure correct use of the restraint systems. 
Manufacturers of child restraint systems must also provide registration 
cards for completion and return by purchasers of child restraints, and 
keep names and addresses of child restraint system owners. These 
actions are necessary to facilitate contacting the owners in the event 
of a safety recall campaign.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--NHTSA requires labeling information to ensure that child 
seat owners have important safety information. The information 
currently provided on or with the restraint includes instructions on 
correct use of the restraint, and recommendations as to which children 
are suitable for the restraint. Without this information, the 
effectiveness of child restraints could be greatly diminished.
    The child restraint registration information enables manufacturers 
to directly contact child restraint owners to notify them of safety 
recalls. This better ensures that owners will hear about a recall and 
will remedy the safety problem with their restraints.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)--
NHTSA estimates that 15 manufacturers of child safety seats and 
restraints offer their products for sale in the United States. The 
frequency of response to the collection of information depends on

[[Page 36778]]

the number of child seats or restraints that each manufacturer sells.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--Currently, 15 
manufacturers produce, on the average, a total of approximately 
4,500,000 child restraints a year. NHTSA estimates that the total 
annual information collection burden on all manufacturers is 153,000 
hours. NHTSA estimates that annualized costs on all manufacturers is 
$1,071,000.00.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50.

    Issued: July 5, 1996.
Patricia Breslin,
Acting Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 96-17749 Filed 7-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P