[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39539-39540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14874]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2004-17997]


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: This notice solicits public comments on continuation of the 
requirements for the collection of information on safety standards. 
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 a collection of labeling information on 
five Federal motor vehicle safety standards, for which NHTSA intends to 
seek OMB approval. The labeling requirements include brake fluid 
warning, glazing labeling, safety belt labeling, and vehicle 
certification labeling.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice number cited at the 
beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, Room 
PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. It is requested, 
but not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket 
Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Ms. Lori 
Summers, NHTSA 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-112, Washington, 
DC 20590.
    Ms. Summers' telephone number is (202) 366-4917. Please identify 
the relevant collection of information by referring to this Docket 
Number (Docket Number NHTSA-04-17997).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before a proposed collection of information is submitted to OMB for 
approval, Federal agencies 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; 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 for public 
comments on the following proposed collection of information:
    Title: Consolidated Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles 
(Except the VIN).
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0512.
    Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard form.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the 
approval date.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: 49 U.S.C. 30111 
authorizes the issuance of Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
(FMVSS) and regulations. The agency, in prescribing a FMVSS or 
regulation, considers available relevant motor vehicle safety data, and 
consults with other agencies, as it deems appropriate. Further, the 
statute mandates that in issuing any FMVSS or regulation, the agency 
considers whether the standard or regulation is ``reasonable, 
practicable and appropriate for the particular type of motor vehicle or 
item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is prescribed,'' and 
whether such a standard will contribute to carrying out the purpose of 
the Act. The Secretary is authorized to invoke such rules and 
regulations as deemed necessary to carry out these requirements. Using 
this

[[Page 39540]]

authority, the agency issued the following FMVSS and regulations, 
specifying labeling requirements to aid the agency in achieving many of 
its safety goals:
    FMVSS No. 105, ``Hydraulic and electric brake systems,''
    FMVSS No. 135, ``Passenger car brake systems,''
    FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials,''
    FMVSS No. 209, ``Seat belt assemblies,''
    Part 567, ``Certification.''
    This notice requests comments on the labeling requirements of these 
FMVSS and regulations.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the 
information: In order to ensure that manufacturers are complying with 
the FMVSS and regulations, NHTSA requires a number of specific labeling 
requirements in FMVSS Nos. 105, 135, 205, and 209 and Part 567.
    FMVSS No. 105, ``Hydraulic and electric brake systems'' and FMVSS 
No. 135, ``Passenger car brake systems,'' require that each vehicle 
shall have a brake fluid warning statement in letters at least one-
eighth of a inch high on the master cylinder reservoirs and located so 
as to be visible by direct view.
    FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials,'' requires that manufacturers 
mark their automotive glazing with certain label information including:
    Manufacturer's distinctive trademark;
    Manufacturer's ``DOT'' code number;
    Model of glazing (there are currently 21 items of glazing ranging 
from plastic windows to bullet resistant windshields).
    In addition to these requirements, which apply to all glazing, 
certain specialty items such as standee windows in buses, roof 
openings, and interior partitions made of plastic require that the 
manufacturer affix a removable label to each item. The label specifies 
cleaning instructions, which will minimize the loss of transparency. 
Other information may be provided by the manufacturer but is not 
required.
    FMVSS No. 209, ``Seat belt assemblies,'' requires safety belts to 
be labeled with the year of manufacture, the model, and the name or 
trademark of the manufacturer (S4.1(j)).
    Additionally, replacement safety belts that are for use only in 
specifically stated motor vehicles must have labels or accompanying 
instruction sheets to specify the applicable vehicle models and seating 
positions (S4.1(k)). All other replacement belts are required to be 
accompanied by an installation instruction sheet (S4.1(k)).
    Seat belt assemblies installed as original equipment in new motor 
vehicles need not be required to be labeled with position/model 
information. This information is only useful if the assembly is removed 
with the intention of using the assembly as a replacement in another 
vehicle; this is not a common practice.
    Part 567, ``Certification,'' responds to 49 U.S.C. 30111 that 
requires each manufacturer or distributor of motor vehicles to furnish 
to the dealer or distributor of the vehicle a certification that the 
vehicle meets all applicable FMVSS. This certification is required by 
that provision to be in the form of a label permanently affixed to the 
vehicle. Under 49 U.S.C. 32504, vehicle manufacturers are directed to 
make a similar certification with regard to bumper standards. To 
implement this requirement, NHTSA issued 49 CFR part 567. The agency's 
regulations establish form and content requirements for the 
certification labels.

Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number and 
Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)

    These labels are placed on each master cylinder reservoir, each 
piece of motor vehicle glazing, each safety belt and every motor 
vehicle intended for retail sale in the United States.

Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Record Keeping Burden 
Resulting From the Collection of Information

    NHTSA estimates that all manufacturers will need a total of 73,071 
hours to comply with these requirements, at a total annual cost of 
1,096,065.

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

    Issued on: June 23, 2004.
Roger A. Saul,
Director, Office of Crashworthiness Standards for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 04-14874 Filed 6-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P