[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7113-7114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1818]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2006-23667]


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 information on the advanced 
air bag phase-in requirements of the Federal motor vehicle safety 
standard on occupant protection for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB 
approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 11, 2006.

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 collections of information:
    Title: Part 585--Advanced Air Bag Phase-In Reporting Requirements.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0599.
    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 authority, the agency issued FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash 
protection,'' to aid the agency in achieving many of its

[[Page 7114]]

safety goals. This notice requests comments on the extension of the 
phase-in reporting requirements of this FMVSS related to the 
implementation of advanced air bags. Phase 1 of the advanced air bag 
phase-in began September 1, 2003 with 100 percent compliance by 
September 1, 2005. Phase 2 of the advanced air bag phase-in begins 
September 1, 2006 with 100 percent compliance by September 1, 2009.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information: NHTSA needs this information to ensure that vehicle 
manufacturers are certifying their applicable vehicles as meeting the 
new advanced air bag requirements of FMVSS No. 208. NHTSA will use this 
information to determine whether a manufacturer has complied with the 
amended requirements during the phase-in period.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information): 
NHTSA estimates that 21 vehicle manufacturers will submit the required 
information. For each report, the manufacturer will provide, in 
addition to its identity, several numerical items of information. The 
information includes, but is not limited to, the following items:
    (a) Total number of vehicles manufactured for sale during the 
preceding production year,
    (b) Total number of vehicles manufactured during the production 
year that meet the regulatory requirements, and
    (c) Information identifying the vehicles (by make, model, and 
vehicle identification number (VIN)) that have been certified as 
complying with the requirements.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Record Keeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information: NHTSA estimates that it 
will annually take each of the 21 affected manufacturers an average of 
61 hours to comply with these requirements. Using a cost estimate of 
$35 per hour, this results in a total annual cost of $44,835 (21 
manufacturers x 61 hours per manufacturer x $35 per hour).

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

    Issued on: February 6, 2006.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
 [FR Doc. E6-1818 Filed 2-9-06; 8:45 am]
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