[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59128-59129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29681]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information 
Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection 
Requests (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of a two information 
collections requesting reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired and one information 
collection requesting reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired. The ICRs describes 
the nature of the information collection and its expected burden.
    The Federal Register Notice soliciting comments on following 
collections of information was published on July 12, 1996 [FR 61, page 
36777-36778].

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 20, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Kosek, (202) 366-2590, and 
refer to the OMB Control Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

    1. Title: Motor Vehicle Importation
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0002.
    Form Numbers: Form HS-7 and Form HS-474.
    Affected Public: Registered Importers of vehicles or parties with 
contracts with Registered Importers.
    Abstract: 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.
    Need for the Information and Proposed Use: 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.
    Annual Estimated Burden: The total estimated annual burden is 
16,600 hours.
    2. Title: Child Restraint Systems.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0511.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Affected Public: NHTSA estimates that 15 manufacturers of child 
safety seats and restraints offer their products for sale in the United 
States.
    Abstract: 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

[[Page 59129]]

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.
    Need for the Information and Proposed Use: 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.
    Annual Estimated Burden: The total estimated annual burden is 
153,000 hours.
    3. Title: Production System for Mandatory Installation of Air Bags 
In All Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0535.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Affected Public: 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.
    Abstract: 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.
    Need for the information and proposed use: 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.
    Annual Estimated Burden: The total estimated annual burden is 828 
hours.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20503, Attention DOT Desk Officer.
    Comments are Invited on: whether the proposed collection of 
information is 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.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 14, 1996.
Phillip A. Leach,
Clearance Officer, United States Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 96-29681 Filed 11-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P