[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59678-59679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26091]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2003-16162]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

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 describes an existing collection of information for 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213, ``Child 
restraint systems,'' for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: You should submit your comments early enough to ensure that 
Docket Management receives them not later than December 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments [identified by DOT DMS Docket Number 
NHTSA -2003-16162] by any of the following methods:
    [sbull] Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.

[[Page 59679]]

    [sbull] Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    [sbull] Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0003.
    [sbull] Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 am and 5 
pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
    [sbull] 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 Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC, between 9 am and 5 pm, 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. Michael 
Huntley, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-113, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    Mr. Huntley's telephone number is (202) 366-0029. 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 collection of information:
    Title: 49 CFR 571.213, ``Child Restraint Systems''.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0511.
    Affected Public: Business.
    Abstract: Manufacturers are required to provide owner registration 
cards and to label each child restraint system with a message informing 
users of the importance of registering the restraint with the 
manufacturer. The owner registration information is then retained in 
the event that owners need to be contacted for recall or replacement 
campaigns. The manufacturer is 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 quick-look 
information on whether the restraint meets the safety requirements, 
recommended installation and use, and warnings against misuse.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 90,000 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 15.
    Currently, approximately 15 manufacturers produce, on average, a 
total of approximately 4,500,000 child restraints per year. The agency 
estimates that manufacturers use a total of 0.02 hours per response. 
The estimated annual burden hour is 90,000 hours. This number reflects 
the total responses (4,500,000) times the total hours per response 
(0.02). Prior years' information indicates that it takes an average of 
$20.00 per hour for professional/clerical personnel to collect the 
information for Standard No. 213. Therefore, the agency estimates that 
the cost associated with the burden hours is $1,800,000 ($20.00 per 
hour x 90,000 burden hours).
    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 on October 9, 2003.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 03-26091 Filed 10-15-03; 8:45 am]
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