[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32954-32963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13052]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 571 and 588

[Docket No. NHTSA-2004-17745]
RIN 2127-AI95


Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Child Restraint Systems; 
Child Restraint Systems Recordkeeping Requirements

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to amend the content of the owner 
registration form required by the Federal child restraint standard to 
allow information about registering on-line to be on the card. The 
proposed amendments would enhance the opportunity of consumers to 
register their restraints online, which may increase registration 
rates. The proposal would also better enable manufacturers to 
supplement recall notification via first-class mail with e-mail 
notification, which may increase the number of owners learning of a 
recall and responding to it. This NPRM also proposes that the telephone 
number that manufacturers must provide on child restraint labels for 
the purpose of enabling consumers to register by telephone must be a 
U.S. number.

DATES: You should submit comments early enough to ensure that Docket 
Management receives them not later than August 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by the DOT DMS Docket 
Number) by any of the following methods:
     Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
     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 or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for this 
rulemaking. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Comments 
heading under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. 
Note that all comments received will be posted without change to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see 
the information regarding the Privacy Act under the Comments heading.

[[Page 32955]]

    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 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The following persons at the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
    For non-legal issues: Mr. Tewabe Asebe of the NHTSA Office of 
Rulemaking at (202) 366-2365.
    For legal issues: Mr. Christopher Calamita of the NHTSA Office of 
Chief Counsel at (202) 366-2992.
    You may send mail to both of these officials at the National 
Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction
II. Background
III. CRS Registration and Internet Resources
    a. Changes to the Registration Form.
    1. Manufacturer's Internet Address.
    2. Space for Consumers' E-Mail Addresses.
    b. The Electronic Registration Form
    c. Registration by Telephone
IV. New NHTSA Hotline Number.
V. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices
VI. Submission of Comments

I. Introduction

    To improve recall effectiveness, this document proposes to permit 
manufacturers of child restraint systems (CRSs) to include on the 
mandatory CRS registration form information pertaining to the 
opportunity of owners to register online and a field for customer e-
mail addresses. The proposed rule would enhance the existing 
regulations intended to improve the percentage of recalled restraints 
that are remedied in a recall campaign for a noncompliance or defect. 
If a manufacturer were to voluntarily collect e-mail addresses as part 
of a CRS registration program, a record of these addresses would have 
to be maintained for six years in the same manner as is currently 
required for all CRS registration information.

II. Background

    Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, ``Child Restraint 
Systems'' (49 CFR 571.213) establishes an owner registration program 
for child restraint systems. NHTSA implemented the program to improve 
the effectiveness of manufacturer campaigns to recall child restraints 
that contain a safety-related defect or that fail to conform to FMVSS 
No. 213. By increasing the number of identified child restraint 
purchasers, the program increases the manufacturers' ability to inform 
owners of restraints about defects or noncompliances in those 
restraints.
    Under the program, child restraint manufacturers are required to 
provide a registration form attached to each child restraint (S5.8). 
The registration form must conform in size, content and format to forms 
depicted in the standard (figures 9a and 9b). Each form must include a 
detachable postage-paid postcard which provides a space for the 
consumer to record his or her name and address, and must be preprinted 
with the restraint's model name or number and its date of manufacture. 
Except for information that distinguishes a particular restraint from 
other systems, no other information is permitted to appear on the 
postcard. CRS manufacturers are also required to supply a telephone 
number on CRS labels to enable owners (particularly second-hand owners) 
to register over the telephone. NHTSA requires manufacturers to keep a 
record of registered owner information along with the relevant CRS 
information (restraint model, serial number, and manufactured dates) 
for not less than six years from the date of manufacture of the CRS (49 
CFR Part 588, Child restraint systems recordkeeping requirements).
    In the event of a recall, manufacturers must send notification by 
first-class mail to the registered CRS users. (Public notice of the 
recall can be also required.) Prior to the registration requirement,\1\ 
an estimated 3 percent of consumers registered their CRSs. Currently, 
according to data from NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigation, the 
registration rate is at 27 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The final rule establishing the registration requirement was 
published September 10, 1992 and became effective March 9, 1993. (57 
FR 41428).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since the CRS registration requirement became effective, access to 
the Internet by the general public has risen significantly. The 
September 2001 U.S. Census Bureau report, Home Computer and Internet 
Use in the United States: August 2000, revealed that more than half of 
the United States population has home computers; greater than a twofold 
increase from 1993. The report also stated that forty-two percent of 
all households had at least one household member who used the Internet 
at home in 2000. Accompanying this increase in Internet access has been 
a substantial rise in online consumer spending. According to a February 
15, 2001, U.S. Census Bureau news release, online consumer spending 
jumped from $7.7 billion in 1998 to $17.3 billion in 1999. From the 
statistics above, it is apparent that the Internet, as an electronic 
media, has a major role in business transactions and information 
dissemination in the U.S. today. The rapid growth of the Internet and 
Internet access provides an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of 
CRS recall campaigns through increased owner registration.

III. CRS Registration and Internet Resources

    This document proposes to permit CRS manufacturers the option of 
including specified wording in the CRS registration form to provide for 
online registration of CRSs. NHTSA does not currently prohibit CRS 
manufacturers from using the Internet in their owner registration 
programs. However, wording about registering online cannot currently 
appear on the card.
    The proposed amendments would facilitate online registration of 
child restraints, which may increase registration rates. The proposal 
would also better enable manufacturers to supplement recall 
notification via first-class mail with e-mail notification, which may 
increase the number of owners learning of a recall and responding to 
it.

a. Changes To The Registration Form

    The proposed rule would permit manufacturers to add to the 
registration form: (a) Specified statements informing CRS owners that 
they may register online; (b) the Internet address for registering with 
the company; (c) revisions to statements reflecting use of the Internet 
to register; and (d) a space for the consumer's e-mail address. For 
those CRS owners with access to the Internet, online registration may 
be a preferred method of registering a CRS. Providing for another means 
of registration could help increase the number of registered CRSs.
    Under today's NPRM, each CRS manufacturer would decide on its own 
whether to include the new wording on its registration forms.\2\ NHTSA 
is not mandating that all registration forms have the wording because 
such a requirement would implicitly require manufacturers to have and 
maintain an internet registration system. While over forty percent of 
U.S. households had internet access in 2000, a majority did not. 
Further, it is uncertain how many households in that forty percent had 
consistent access to the internet.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Manufacturers could choose whether to include the wording, 
but they would not be permitted to vary it.

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

[[Page 32956]]

1. Manufacturer's internet Address
    Manufacturers choosing the option would be required to provide an 
internet address that directly links consumers to the registration 
form. By preventing the consumer from having to search for the form on 
the manufacturer's Web site, the ease and convenience of registering is 
increased.
2. Space for Consumers' E-Mail Addresses
    Registration cards are currently required to provide space for a 
CRS owner to provide his or her name, street address, city, state, and 
ZIP Code, enabling a manufacturer to send recall notification by first-
class mail as required by 49 U.S.C. 30119(d)(2).
    In October 2002, the agency published a technical report titled, 
``Evaluation of Child Safety Seat Registration,'' \3\ which, among 
other things, evaluated tools that could be used to increase the number 
of CRS owner registrations. The report suggested the use of online 
registration and notification, stating: ``Adding a space for an e-mail 
address on the registration form could make initial recall notification 
faster. It could also be helpful in locating seat owners that have 
changed residence but retained their e-mail address.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ DOT HS 809 518, NHTSA Technical Report.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    By permitting the collection of e-mail addresses on the CRS 
registration form as proposed in this NPRM, manufacturers would have 
the ability to provide e-mail notification of a recall in conjunction 
with the mandatory first-class mail notification. Providing an 
additional method of notifying CRS owners of a recall would increase 
the likelihood of a recalled CRS being remedied.
    Collection of customer e-mail addresses could also make initial 
recall notification faster. A CRS customer can receive an e-mail 
notification within a very short time frame after being issued. 
Conversely, first-class mail notification can take up to several days 
to reach the intended customer, and even longer if the letter must be 
forwarded to a new address. Further, a CRS owner may maintain the same 
e-mail address even after moving to a new street address, resulting in 
an e-mail notification reaching the owner even if mail forwarding has 
been discontinued.
    With less than half of the nation having access to e-mail in the 
home, a voluntary collection of e-mail addresses provides manufacturers 
with the flexibility of supplementing first-class mail notification 
without imposing potentially prohibitive costs. While the collection of 
e-mail addresses would be voluntary, if a manufacturer were to collect 
e-mail addresses it would be required to maintain a record of all 
collected e-mails for a period of 6 years, just as with the other 
registration information.
    Question For Comment: 49 U.S.C. 30119(d)(2) specifies that recall 
notification shall be sent by first class mail to the most recent 
purchaser known to the manufacturer.\4\ The amendments proposed in this 
document would establish a means by which CRS manufacturers would have 
CRS owners' e-mail addresses in addition to first class mail addresses. 
Comments are requested on the costs and benefits of having 
manufacturers e-mail the recall notice if they have already provided 
notification by first-class mail. Under what circumstances should 
manufacturers be required to provide recall notification using both e-
mail and first-class mail?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ That section also provides that in addition, if the 
Secretary decides that public notice is required for motor vehicle 
safety, public notice shall be given in the way required by the 
Secretary after consulting with the manufacturer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Separate List. In developing the current registration requirements, 
focus groups reacted favorably to the idea of being assured by the 
manufacturer that information retained in these records would not be 
used for commercial mailing lists. We expect that the public would 
respond similarly to assurances that a registered e-mail address would 
not result in unsolicited e-mails. NHTSA expects that manufacturers 
will respect owners' preferences that this information, along with 
other registration information, will be kept separate from other 
customer lists.

b. The Electronic Registration Form

    FMVSS No. 213 mandates that CRS manufacturers provide a 
standardized registration form because a standardized format increases 
registration rates.\5\ To increase the likelihood that owners will find 
online registration user-friendly, the proposed rule would standardize 
the appearance of the online registration form presented to the 
consumer. That is, similar to the standardized mail-in registration 
form, the only fields that would be permitted on an online form would 
be those for: (a) The owner's name and address; (b) the restraint model 
and serial number; (c) date of manufacture of the CRS; and (d) at the 
manufacturer's option, the owner's e-mail address. Comments are 
requested on whether the above fields should be required fields, i.e., 
the registration will not be ``accepted'' unless the information is 
provided. The online form would be required to contain relevant 
portions of the standardized warnings and other information mandated 
for mail-in registration cards, (including the restraint owner's name 
and address; the restraint model and serial number; the restraint 
manufacture date; and at the manufacturer's option, the restraint 
owner's e-mail address).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ In developing the mail-in registration form, the agency 
found that focus groups ``widely and enthusiastically accepted the 
text and format of the parts of the form that did not vary among the 
proposed options.'' 57 FR 414321.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The only additional information permitted on the online form would 
be information identifying the manufacturer and a link to the 
manufacturer's Web site home page. Further, manufacturers would be 
prevented from having additional screens or advertisement banners 
appear as a result of a CRS owner accessing the Web page that contains 
the registration form (e.g., ``pop-up advertisements'' would be 
prohibited). By preventing additional information or advertising from 
appearing on the registration page or as a result of accessing the 
registration page, the benefits of a standardized registration form 
would be maintained, helping to improve the rate of registration. 
Comments are requested on whether some additional information should be 
permitted or required on the form, e.g., instructions to the consumer 
as to where the restraint's model name and number can be found. Unlike 
the registration form that is attached to the child restraint, the 
electronic registration form would not have the model name and number 
pre-printed on the form, so consumers must enter this information 
themselves. Comments are requested on how to facilitate a convenient 
and accurate entering of this information by the consumer.

c. Registration By Telephone

    When the agency established the CRS registration form requirement, 
we also established a requirement for CRS manufacturers to label each 
CRS with a telephone number that consumers could use to register their 
restraints in the event the mail-in form wasn't used. This is 
particularly important for persons owning secondhand restraints that 
are missing the original registration form.
    NHTSA was asked in a request for an interpretation of FMVSS No. 213 
whether the telephone number must be a U.S. number. Our answer was the 
standard does not require a U.S. number, but we were concerned that the 
use of a non-U.S. telephone number would present a high cost to a CRS 
owner seeking to register a CRS and

[[Page 32957]]

would be a disincentive for consumers to register.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/interps/files/002775cmc_phoneno.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We are unaware of any manufacturer currently providing a non-U.S. 
telephone number. However, in order to address this foreseeable 
impediment to registration of owners (particularly owners of secondhand 
restraints), we are proposing to require that the telephone number 
labeled on the CRS for registration purposes must be a U.S. number.

IV. New NHTSA Hotline Number

    CRS manufacturers are required to provide the telephone number for 
the U.S. Government's (NHTSA's) Auto Safety Hotline on both CRS labels 
and the accompanying printed instructions. The Auto Safety Hotline 
provides CRS owners with information on product recalls. Previously, 
manufacturers were required to provide two phone numbers; a toll-free 
number and a number for the District of Columbia area. The separate 
phone number for the District of Columbia area is no longer needed, as 
the toll-free number now functions for the entire U.S. Accordingly, 
child restraint labels and instructions would only need to refer to the 
toll-free number. This change would reduce the amount of wording on the 
child restraint label, which should help increase the readability of 
the label.

V. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    NHTSA has considered the impact of this rule under Executive Order 
12866 and the Department of Transportation's regulatory policies and 
procedures. This rulemaking document was not reviewed under E.O. 12866, 
``Regulatory Planning and Review.'' This action has been determined to 
be ``nonsignificant'' under the Department of Transportation's 
regulatory policies and procedures. We do not anticipate this proposal 
to result in any costs for CRS manufacturers. The proposed rule would 
not establish any new requirements for manufacturers of CRSs unless a 
manufacturer chooses to collect e-mail addresses voluntarily or provide 
an Internet address on the CRS registration card. If a manufacturer 
were to voluntarily collect customer e-mail addresses and provide for 
online registration of restraints, the anticipated costs for the 
recordkeeping requirements would be minimal.
    Many CRS manufacturers already provide an electronic product 
registration service and by encouraging online registration, 
manufacturers could reduce the number of postage-paid registration 
cards returned, thereby reducing postage fees for the manufacturer.\7\ 
Manufacturers that collect customer e-mail addresses could incorporate 
this information into the registration records currently maintained. 
Also, CRS owner information submitted online would be in electronic 
format, minimizing the data entry burden required to record owner 
information and reduce recordkeeping costs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ A manufacturer is not charged a fee by the post office for a 
postage pre-paid postcard until the card is actually sent through 
the mail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the use of online resources for CRS registration has the 
potential for increased CRS registration and enhanced recall 
notification, we are not requiring manufacturers to have a means by 
which consumers can register their CRSs via the Internet. We want to 
avoid imposing potentially prohibitive costs on manufacturers not 
currently equipped to incorporate Internet resources into CRS 
registration. Manufacturers not currently situated for Internet 
registration would have the cost of developing an Internet system to 
process registrations as well as the costs associated with revising the 
mandated registration forms and modifying recordkeeping procedures. If 
and when Internet and e-mail access becomes more universal, the benefit 
of mandatory Internet registration provisions can be evaluated.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    NHTSA has considered the impacts of this rulemaking action under 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). I certify that 
the proposed amendment would not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. The proposed rule would not 
impose any new requirements on manufacturers that produce CRSs. The 
proposal would provide flexibility in CRS registration by allowing 
manufacturers to promote electronic registration.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, a person is not required to respond to a collection of 
information by a Federal agency unless the collection displays a valid 
OMB control number. The rule proposed in this document would 
reconfigure the information collection and recordkeeping requirements 
of FMVS No. 213 and 49 CFR part 588, which have been approved under OMB 
No. 2127-0576. The agency does not anticipate this reconfiguration to 
increase the cost or burden of the approved collection.
    Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
    Title: Voluntary Child Safety Registration Form.
    Type of Request: Reconfiguration of existing collection.
    OMB Clearance Number: 2127-0576.
    Form Number: None.
Summary of the Collection of Information
    Under the rule proposed in this document, if a CRS manufacturer 
were to voluntarily collect an e-mail address as part of the CRS 
registration, then the manufacturer would be required to maintain a 
record of that information. The recordkeeping format and retention 
requirements for CRS owner e-mail addresses would be identical to the 
format and retention requirements currently mandated for owner 
registration under 49 CFR part 588. The proposed rule would also 
require that if a manufacturer were to voluntarily provide for 
electronic registration, then the manufacturer would be required to use 
a standardized format similar to the format currently required for the 
postage-paid registration form.
    The proposed rule would not mandate the collection of e-mail 
addresses or the use of electronic registration.
Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information
    Public access and use of the Internet has increased exponentially 
since its inception. The proposed rule would permit manufacturers to 
take advantage of this growth in technology and use electronic 
registration as a supplement to registration by mail. This would 
provide CRS owners with an additional option for registering a CRS and 
increase the number of CRSs registered. By increasing the number of 
identified child restraint purchasers, the program increases the 
manufacturers' ability to inform owners of restraints about defects or 
noncompliances in those restraints.
Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, and 
Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)
    NHTSA estimates that twenty-three CRS manufacturers would be 
subject to the reconfigured collection requirements. If a manufacturer 
were to voluntarily collect a CRS owner's e-mail address as part of the 
CRS registration, then the manufacturer would be required to record and 
maintain that e-

[[Page 32958]]

mail address along with the registration information currently recorded 
and maintained. If a CRS manufacturer were to provide for electronic 
registration, the electronic registration form would be required to be 
in a format similar to the format for the postage-paid form.
Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting From the Collection of Information
    NHTSA does not anticipate a significant change to the hour burden 
or costs associated with child restraint registration. By allowing 
manufacturers the ability to promote online registration, we anticipate 
a reduction in the collection and recordkeeping burden. Internet 
registration would reduce a manufacturer's postage costs by reducing 
the number of postage-paid registration cards sent through the mail. 
Registration information collected on the Internet would be in an 
electronic form, which could be more easily transferred and stored than 
paper registration cards. Registration information received in 
electronic form would reduce the data entry burden of CRS 
manufacturers. This reduction in burden would offset any burden created 
by the e-mail record keeping requirement and the standardized Internet 
registration form.
    NHTSA requests comment on its estimates of the total annual hour 
and cost burdens resulting from this collection of information. Please 
submit any comments to the NHTSA Docket Number referenced in the 
heading of this notice or to: Mr. Tewabe Asebe of the NHTSA Office of 
Rulemaking at (202) 366-2365. Comments are due by August 13, 2004.

D. National Environmental Policy Act

    NHTSA has analyzed this proposed amendment for the purposes of the 
National Environmental Policy Act and determined that, if adopted, it 
would not have any significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment.

E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    Executive Order 13132 requires NHTSA to develop an accountable 
process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by State and local 
officials in the development of regulatory policies that have 
federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism 
implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations 
that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.'' Under Executive Order 13132, the agency may not issue a 
regulation with Federalism implications, that imposes substantial 
direct costs, and that is not required by statute, unless the Federal 
government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 
costs incurred by State and local governments, or the agency consults 
with State and local officials early in the process of developing the 
proposed regulation. NHTSA may also not issue a regulation with 
Federalism implications and that preempts State law unless the agency 
consults with State and local officials early in the process of 
developing the proposed regulation.
    The agency has analyzed this rulemaking action in accordance with 
the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132 and has 
determined that it does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant consultation with State and local officials or the preparation 
of a federalism summary impact statement. The proposed rule would have 
no substantial effects on the States, or on the current Federal-State 
relationship, or on the current distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various local officials.

F. Executive Order 12778 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This proposed rule would not have any retroactive effect. Under 
section 49 U.S.C. 30103, whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety 
standard is in effect, a State may not adopt or maintain a safety 
standard applicable to the same aspect of performance which is not 
identical to the Federal standard, except to the extent that the State 
requirement imposes a higher level of performance and applies only to 
vehicles procured for the State's use. Section 49 U.S.C. 30161 sets 
forth a procedure for judicial review of final rules establishing, 
amending or revoking Federal motor vehicle safety standards. That 
section does not require submission of a petition for reconsideration 
or other administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in 
court.

G. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272) 
directs us to use voluntary consensus standards in regulatory 
activities unless doing so would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling 
procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by 
voluntary consensus standards bodies, such as the Society of Automotive 
Engineers (SAE). The NTTAA directs us to provide Congress, through OMB, 
explanations when we decide not to use available and applicable 
voluntary consensus standards.
    The agency searched for, but did not find any voluntary consensus 
standards relevant to this proposed rule.

H. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 
requires Federal agencies to prepare a written assessment of the costs, 
benefits, and other effects of proposed or final rules that include a 
Federal mandate likely to result in the expenditure by State, local, or 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of more 
than $100 million in any one year (adjusted for inflation with base 
year of 1995). Before promulgating a rule for which a written statement 
is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires NHTSA to identify 
and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt 
the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative 
that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 
do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, 
section 205 allows NHTSA to adopt an alternative other than the least 
costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative if the 
agency publishes with the final rule an explanation why that 
alternative was not adopted. If adopted, this proposed rule would not 
impose any unfunded mandates under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 
1995. This proposed rule would not result in costs of $100 million or 
more to either State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
or to the private sector. Thus, this proposed rule is not subject to 
the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

I. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)

    The Department of Transportation assigns a regulation identifier 
number (RIN) to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of 
Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center 
publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. You may 
use the RIN contained in the heading at the beginning of this document 
to find this action in the Unified Agenda.

[[Page 32959]]

VI. Submission of Comments

How Do I Prepare and Submit Comments?

    Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your 
comments are filed correctly in the Docket, please include the docket 
number of this document in your comments.
    Your comments must not be more than 15 pages long. (49 CFR 553.21) 
NHTSA established this limit to encourage you to write your primary 
comments in a concise fashion. However, you may attach necessary 
additional documents to your comments. There is no limit on the length 
of the attachments.
    Please submit two copies of your comments, including the 
attachments, to Docket Management at the address given above under 
ADDRESSES. You may also submit your comments to the docket 
electronically by logging onto the Docket Management System (DMS) Web 
site at http://dms.dot.gov. Click on ``Help & Information'' or ``Help/
Info'' to obtain instructions for filing your comments electronically. 
Please note, if you are submitting comments electronically as a PDF 
(Adobe) file, we ask that the documents submitted be scanned using 
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process, thus allowing the agency 
to search and copy certain portions of your submissions.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Optical character recognition (OCR) is the process of 
converting an image of text, such as a scanned paper document or 
electronic fax file, into computer-editable text.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

How Can I Be Sure That My Comments Were Received?

    If you wish Docket Management to notify you upon its receipt of 
your comments, enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard in the 
envelope containing your comments. Upon receiving your comments, Docket 
Management will return the postcard by mail.

How Do I Submit Confidential Business Information?

    If you wish to submit any information under a claim of 
confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete 
submission, including the information you claim to be confidential 
business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given 
above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. In addition, you should 
submit two copies, from which you have deleted the claimed confidential 
business information, to Docket Management at the address given above 
under ADDRESSES. When you send a comment containing information claimed 
to be confidential business information, you should include a cover 
letter setting forth the information specified in NHTSA's confidential 
business information regulation (49 CFR part 512).

Will the Agency Consider Late Comments?

    NHTSA will consider all comments that Docket Management receives 
before the close of business on the comment closing date indicated 
above under DATES. To the extent possible, the agency will also 
consider comments that Docket Management receives after that date. If 
Docket Management receives a comment too late for the agency to 
consider it in developing a final rule (assuming that one is issued), 
the agency will consider that comment as an informal suggestion for 
future rulemaking action.

How Can I Read the Comments Submitted By Other People?

    You may read the comments received by Docket Management at the 
address given above under ADDRESSES. The hours of the Docket are 
indicated above in the same location.
    You may also see the comments on the Internet. To read the comments 
on the Internet, take the following steps:
    1. Go to the Docket Management System (DMS) Web page of the 
Department of Transportation (http://dms.dot.gov).
    2. On that page, click on ``simple search.''
    3. On the next page (http://dms.dot.gov/search/searchFormSimple.cfm cfm) type in the four-digit docket number shown at the 
beginning of this document. Example: If the docket number were ``NHTSA-
1998-1234,'' you would type ``1234.'' After typing the docket number, 
click on ``search.''
    4. On the next page, which contains docket summary information for 
the docket you selected, click on the desired comments. You may 
download the comments. Although the comments are imaged documents, 
instead of word processing documents, the ``pdf'' versions of the 
documents are word searchable.
    Please note that even after the comment closing date, NHTSA will 
continue to file relevant information in the Docket as it becomes 
available. Further, some people may submit late comments. Accordingly, 
the agency recommends that you periodically check the Docket for new 
material.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78) or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

List of Subjects

49 CFR Part 571

    Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Tires, Incorporation by Reference.

49 CFR Part 588

    Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA proposes to amend 49 CFR 
parts 571 and 588 as follows:

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFTEY STANDARDS

    1. The authority citation for part 571 continues to read as 
follows:


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

    2. Section 571.213 would be amended to revise paragraph (m) of 
S5.5.2, paragraph (k) of S5.5.5, S5.6.1.7, S5.6.2.2, S5.8, and Figures 
9(a) and 9(b), to read as follows:


Sec.  571.213  Standard No. 213; Child restraint systems.

* * * * *
    S5.5.2 * * *
    (m) One of the following statements, inserting an address, a U.S. 
telephone number, and at the manufacturer's option, Web site:
    (1) ``Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You 
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, 
address, e-mail address if available [preceding four words is optional] 
and the restraint's model number and manufacturing date to (insert 
address) or call (insert a U.S. telephone number). For recall 
information, call the U.S. Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 888-
DASH-2-DOT.''
    (2) ``Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You 
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, 
address, e-mail address if available [preceding four words is 
optional], and the restraint's model number and manufacturing date to 
(insert address) or call (insert a U.S. telephone number) or register 
online at (insert Web site for electronic registration form). For 
recall

[[Page 32960]]

information, call the U.S. Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 888-
DASH-2-DOT.''
* * * * *
    S5.5.5 * * *
    (k) One of the following statements, inserting an address, a U.S. 
telephone number, and at the manufacturer's option, Web site:
    (1) ``Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You 
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, 
address, e-mail address if available (optional), and the restraint's 
model number and manufacturing date to (insert address) or call (insert 
a U.S. telephone number). For recall information, call the U.S. 
Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 888-DASH-2-DOT.''
    (2) ``Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You 
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, 
address, e-mail address if available (optional), and the restraint's 
model number and manufacturing date to (insert address) or call (insert 
telephone number) or register online at (insert Web site for electronic 
registration form). For recall information, call the U.S. Government's 
Auto Safety Hotline at 888-DASH-2-DOT.''
* * * * *
    S5.6.1.7 The instructions shall include one of the following 
statements inserting an address, a U.S. telephone number, and at 
manufacturer's option, Web site:
    (a) ``Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You 
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, 
address, e-mail address if available (optional), and the restraint's 
model number and manufacturing date to (insert address) or call (insert 
a U.S. telephone number). For recall information, call the U.S. 
Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 888-DASH-2-DOT.''
    (b) ``Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You 
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, 
address, e-mail address if available (optional), and the restraint's 
model number and manufacturing date to (insert address) or call (insert 
telephone number) or register online at (insert Web site for electronic 
registration form). For recall information, call the U.S. Government's 
Auto Safety Hotline at 888-DASH-2-DOT.''
* * * * *
    S5.6.2.2 The instructions for each built-in child restraint system 
other than a factory-installed restraint, shall include one of the 
following statements, inserting an address, a U.S. telephone number, 
and at the manufacturer's option, Web site:
    (a) ``Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You 
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, 
address, e-mail address if available [optional], and the restraint's 
model number and manufacturing date to (insert address) or call (insert 
a U.S. telephone number). For recall information, call the U.S. 
Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 888-DASH-2-DOT.''
    (b) ``Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons. You 
must register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name, 
address, e-mail address if available [optional], and the restraint's 
model number and manufacturing date to (insert address) or call (insert 
U.S. telephone number) or register online at (insert Web site for 
electronic registration form). For recall information, call the U.S. 
Government's Auto Safety Hotline at 888-DASH-2-DOT.''
* * * * *
    S5.8 Information requirements--attached registration form and 
electronic registration form.
    S5.8.1 Attached registration form.
    (a) Each child restraint system, except a factory-installed built-
in restraint system, shall have a registration form attached to any 
surface of the restraint that contacts the dummy when the dummy is 
positioned in the system in accordance with S6.1.2 of Standard 213.
    (b) Each attached form shall:
    (1) Consist of a postcard that is attached at a perforation to an 
informational card;
    (2) Conform in size, content and format to Figures 9a and 9b of 
this section; and
    (3) Have a thickness of at least 0.007 inches and not more than 
0.0095 inches.
    (c) Each postcard shall provide the model name or number and date 
of manufacture (month, year) of the child restraint system to which the 
form is attached, shall contain space for the purchaser to record his 
or her name, mailing address, and at the manufacturer's option, e-mail 
address, shall be addressed to the manufacturer, and shall be postage 
paid. No other information shall appear on the postcard, except 
identifying information that distinguishes a particular child restraint 
system from other systems of that model name or number may be 
preprinted in the shaded area of the postcard, as shown in figure 9a.
    (d) Manufacturers may voluntarily provide a Web address on the 
attached registration form enabling owners to register child restraints 
online, provided that the Web address is a direct link to the 
electronic registration form meeting the requirements of S5.8.2 of this 
section.
    S5.8.2 Electronic registration form.
    (a) Each electronic registration form must meet the requirements of 
this S5.8.2. Each form shall:
    (1) Contain the following statements at the top of the form:
    (i) ``FOR YOUR CHILD'S CONTINUED SAFETY'' (Displayed in bold type 
face, caps, and minimum 12 point type.)
    (ii) ``Although child restraint systems undergo testing and 
evaluation, it is possible that a child restraint could be recalled.'' 
(Displayed in bold typeface, caps and lower case, and minimum 12 point 
type.)
    (iii) ``In case of a recall, we can reach you only if we have your 
name and address, so please fill in the registration form to be on our 
recall list.'' (Displayed in bold typeface, caps and lower case, and 
minimum 12 point type.)
    (2) Provide as required registration fields, space for the 
purchaser to record the model name or number and date of manufacture 
(month, year) of the child restraint system, and space for the 
purchaser to record his or her name and mailing address. At the 
manufacturer's option, a space is provided the purchaser to record his 
or her e-mail address.
    (b) No other information shall appear on the electronic 
registration form, except for information identifying the manufacturer 
or a link to the manufacturer's home page. Accessing the Web page that 
contains the electronic registration form shall not cause additional 
screens or electronic banners to appear.
    (c) The electronic registration form shall be accessed directly by 
the Web address that the manufacturer printed on the attached 
registration form. The form must appear on screen when the consumer has 
inputted the Web address provided by the manufacturer, without any 
further keystrokes on the keyboard or clicks of the mouse.
* * * * *
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

[[Page 32961]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP14JN04.004


[[Page 32962]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP14JN04.005

BILLING CODE 4910-59-C

[[Page 32963]]

PART 588--CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS

    1. The authority citation for part 588 would be revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

    2. Section 588.5 would be revised to read as follows:


Sec.  588.5  Records.

    Each manufacturer, or manufacturer's designee, shall record and 
maintain records of the owners of child restraint systems who have 
submitted a registration form. The record shall be in a form suitable 
for inspection such as computer information storage devices or card 
files, and shall include the names, mailing addresses, and if 
collected, e-mail addresses of the owners, and the model name or number 
and date of manufacture (month, year) of the owner's child restraint 
systems.

    Issued on: June 4, 2004.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 04-13052 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P