[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 4 (Friday, January 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1186-1187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-344]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2000-8561]


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 one collection of information for which 
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 6, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket and notice numbers cited 
at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, 
room PL-401, 400 Seventh St. SW., Washington, DC 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 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of the request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Samuel 
Daniel, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room 5313, Washington, DC 
20590. Mr. Daniel's telephone number is (202) 366-4921. 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:

Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid Container Labeling

49 CFR 571.116

    Type of Request--Reinstatement of clearance.
    OMB Clearance Number--2127-0521.
    Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of 
approval.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standard No. 116, ``Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids,'' specifies 
performance and design requirements for motor vehicle brake fluids and 
hydraulic system mineral oils. Section 5.2.2 specifies labeling 
requirements for manufacturers and packagers of brake fluids as well as 
packagers of hydraulic system mineral oils. The information on the 
label of a container of motor vehicle brake fluid or hydraulic system 
mineral oil is necessary to insure the following: the contents of the 
container are clearly stated; these fluids are used for their intended 
purpose only; and, the containers are properly disposed of when empty. 
Improper use or storage of these fluids could have dire safety 
consequences for the operators of vehicles or equipment in which they 
are used.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the 
information--This labeling information is used by motor vehicle owners, 
operators, and vehicle service facilities to aid in the proper 
selection of brake fluids and hydraulic system mineral oils for use in 
motor vehicles and hydraulic equipment, to assure the continued safety 
of motor vehicle braking and hydraulic systems, respectively. The 
information required on brake fluid and hydraulic mineral oil 
containers includes the performance capabilities of the fluid. There 
are also safety warnings required on brake fluid and hydraulic system 
mineral oil containers to prevent improper use, storage, etc. which 
might

[[Page 1187]]

result in motor vehicle brake failure and the failure of equipment 
utilizing hydraulic system mineral oil.
    Properties of these fluids and their use necessitate the package 
labeling information specified in this standard. Brake fluid and 
hydraulic system mineral oil must be free of contaminants in order to 
perform as intended; therefore, the labeling instructions warn against 
storing in unsealed containers or mixing these fluids with other 
products. Also, avoiding the absorption of moisture is extremely 
important since moisture in a brake system degrades braking performance 
and safety by lowering brake fluid's boiling point, increasing the 
fluid's viscosity at low atmospheric temperatures and increasing the 
risk of brake system component corrosion. Lower boiling points increase 
the risk of brake system failure by increasing the possibility of vapor 
lock and resultant loss of pressure in the brake system. The safety 
warnings also alert users of brake fluids sold in containers with 
capacities of less than five gallons that the containers should not be 
refilled or reused for other purposes.
    If the labeling requirements were not mandatory, maintaining the 
current level of brake safety on the nation's highways would be more 
difficult. Proper vehicle brake performance is crucial to the safety of 
motor vehicle occupants, and the information on fluid containers is 
necessary to aid in reducing brake system failures resulting from the 
use of improper or contaminated fluid. The labeling on fluid containers 
also helps to ensure that only fluid that complies with federal 
requirements is sold, and this also facilitates agency enforcement 
efforts by identifying the fluid packager, manufacturer, and date of 
manufacture.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information--
There are an estimated 200 respondents, mainly those manufacturers and 
packagers involved with the production of motor vehicle brake and 
hydraulic fluids. A label is required on each container of fluid sold.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--The total annualized cost 
to respondents is estimated by the agency to be $372,370 which includes 
a labor burden and material costs. The labor burden is estimated to be 
7,680 hours performed by a total of 200 respondents. The labor burden 
involves the designing of labels for each label redesign cycle at an 
estimated cost of $38.00 per hour. The estimated annual labor burden is 
therefore $291,840 and the cost of materials, primarily ink for label 
printing, is estimated to be $402.65 per respondent for an annual total 
of $80,530.

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

    Issued: December 29, 2000.
Noble N. Bowie,
Acting Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-344 Filed 1-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P