[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 130 (Monday, July 7, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38331-38340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15310]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-2008-0125]
RIN 2127-AK14


Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Power-Operated Window, 
Partition, and Roof Panel Systems

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; response to petitions for reconsideration.

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

SUMMARY: This document responds to two petitions for reconsideration of 
a final rule amending the Federal motor vehicle safety standard for 
power-operated window, partition, and roof panel systems. The subject 
final rule, statutorily mandated and published in April 2006, 
established a new safety requirement for vehicle power window switches, 
specifically that such switches have a ``pull-to-close'' design. That 
final rule set a compliance date of October 1, 2008, which was the same 
as the compliance date for a rule published in September 2004 that 
amended the standard to include a performance test to prevent 
inadvertent actuation of power window switches, particularly by 
children. Petitions for reconsideration were submitted by the Alliance 
of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance) and DaimlerChrysler Corporation. 
The petitioners requested an extension of the compliance date by two 
years, as well as additional amendments to the standard.
    This document grants the requests common to both petitions for an 
additional two years to comply with the pull-to-close operability 
requirements of the April 2006 rule. It denies petitioners' other 
requests. Specifically, we are denying the request that power window 
switches be excluded from the ``pull-to-close'' design requirement if 
the power window systems are equipped with an automatic reversal 
feature. We are also denying a request for exclusion from the pull-to-
close requirement for switches mounted in overhead locations and 
switches that operate vent-type power windows.

DATES: Effective Date: The amendments made in this final rule are 
effective September 5, 2008.
    Compliance Date: The requirements of the April 2006 final rule 
pertaining to ``pull-to-close'' operation of power window switches, as 
amended by today's rule, become mandatory for all

[[Page 38332]]

vehicles subject to the standard manufactured on or after October 1, 
2010. All other requirements, including the performance test for 
inadvertent actuation, continue to become mandatory for all vehicles 
subject to the standard that are manufactured on or after October 1, 
2008. Voluntary early compliance is permitted.
    Petitions for Reconsideration: If you wish to submit a petition for 
reconsideration for this rule, your petition must be received by August 
21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Petitions for reconsideration should refer to the docket 
number above and be submitted to: Administrator, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 
DC 20590.
    See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION portion of this document (Section 
VI; Rulemaking Analyses and Notice) for DOT's Privacy Act Statement 
regarding documents submitted to the agency's dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For non-legal issues, you may call Mr. 
Michael Pyne, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards (Phone: 202-366-4931; 
Fax: 202-366-7002).
    For legal issues, you may call Mr. Ari Scott, Office of the Chief 
Counsel (Phone: 202-366-2992; Fax: 202-366-3820).
    You may send mail to these officials at: National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary
II. Background
    A. FMVSS No. 118 Requirements
    B. Recent Rulemaking Actions on Power Window Switches
III. Petitions for Reconsideration
IV. Discussion and Analysis
    A. Lead Time
    B. Overhead Power Window Switches
    C. Power Vent Windows
    D. Automatic Reversal-Equipped Windows
V. Benefits and Costs
VI. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

I. Executive Summary

    This document responds to two petitions for reconsideration of our 
April 12, 2006 final rule \1\ amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof 
Panel Systems. That final rule responded to an earlier round of 
petitions for reconsideration of our September 15, 2004 final rule 
amending FMVSS No. 118.\2\ That rule amended the standard to require 
that switches for power windows and other power-operated items in new 
motor vehicles be resistant to accidental actuation that causes those 
items to begin to close. The amendment consisted of adding a new 
performance test for that purpose.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 70 FR 18673 (Docket No. NHTSA-2006-24455-1).
    \2\ 69 FR 55517 (Docket No. NHTSA-2004-19032-1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the April 2006 final rule made a number of technical 
amendments to Standard No. 118, the primary change effected by the 
April 2006 final rule was to implement a Congressional mandate in 
section 10308 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).\3\ The 
mandate was to require power windows in vehicles not in excess of 
10,000 pounds to have switches that close a window only when the switch 
is pulled up or out (``pull-to-close'' switches), and it was identical 
to an issue raised in a petition for reconsideration of the September 
2004 rule. Therefore, our implementation of the SAFETEA-LU mandate also 
addressed that petition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Public Law 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144 (2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Petitions for reconsideration of the April 2006 final rule were 
submitted by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers \4\ and 
DaimlerChrysler Corporation.\5\ The petitions requested additional 
amendments to Standard No. 118, as well as additional lead time for 
implementing the standard's pull-to-close power window switch 
requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The May 30, 2006 petition for reconsideration was submitted 
by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, an industry trade 
organization whose members include BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Ford 
Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, 
Toyota, and Volkswagen. (Docket No. NHTSA-2006-24455-5.)
    \5\ Docket No. NHTSA-2006-24455-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The petitioners sought amendments to FMVSS No. 118 regarding 
certain issues either addressed in our April 2006 rulemaking or newly 
arising therefrom. Both petitioners requested an additional two years 
of lead time to comply with the final rule's requirement for power 
window switches to have pull-to-close operability. The petitioners 
argued that a substantial amount of time had elapsed between the 
September 2004 rule and the April 2006 amendment and that some 
manufacturers had initiated new switch designs on certain vehicle 
models that, although they would comply with the performance test in 
the 2004 rule, they might not comply with the newer pull-to-close 
requirement. The petitioners argued that manufacturers would have to 
start over on those redesigns, and would have insufficient time to 
achieve compliance for those models unless the compliance date was 
extended. The additional two years (i.e., until October 1, 2010) would 
provide approximately four years to comply with the pull-to-close 
requirement so that the total lead-time would be about equal to that 
originally provided for compliance with the September 2004 rule.
    The Alliance's petition also requested amendments concerning 
exclusion from the pull-to-close requirement for: (1) Power window 
switches mounted on an overhead console, roof, or headliner; (2) power 
window switches for side-hinged vent windows; and (3) power windows 
equipped with automatic reversal capability complying with paragraph S5 
of FMVSS No. 118.
    In its petition, DaimlerChrysler stated that it joined in the 
Alliance's petition and supports its requests, but the company made the 
following additional request. DaimlerChrysler asked that if the agency 
decides to grant the Alliance request for an exclusion from the pull-
to-close requirement for power window systems equipped with S5-
compliant automatic reversal capability, a similar exclusion should be 
extended to power windows with an automatic reversal feature meeting 
ECE R21,\6\ ``Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles 
with regard to their interior fittings,'' the standard commonly 
employed in Europe, specifically S5.8.3 of that standard. The 
petitioner reasoned that such an exclusion would be appropriate because 
the U.S. and European automatic reversal requirements are very similar 
and provide identical safety protection from window entrapment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ ECE R21 is a European safety standard that has automatic 
reversal specifications similar to, but not identical to, those 
contained in paragraph S5 of FMVSS No. 118. See http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/21rv2am2e.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In this document, we are granting in part and denying in part the 
Alliance and DaimlerChrysler petitions for reconsideration. The 
amendments we are adopting in response to the petitions for 
reconsideration of the April 12, 2006 final rule are as follows 
(additional detail and explanation are provided later in this 
document):
     The agency is amending paragraph S2, Application, of 
Standard No. 118 to specify that vehicles subject to the requirements 
of the standard must comply with the pull-to-close switch operability 
requirement by October 1, 2010. This amendment will provide 
manufacturers with an additional two years of lead time, thereby 
providing relief for those manufacturers that had sought to meet the 
requirement of the

[[Page 38333]]

September 2004 final rule by a means other than pull-to-close switches. 
It will also generally allow those manufacturers to comply with this 
additional requirement in the course of their normal vehicle redesign 
process, thereby keeping the costs associated with this rulemaking 
close to zero.
    However, we note that vehicle manufacturers must comply with all 
other requirements of the September 2004 and April 2006 final rules, 
including the inadvertent actuation performance test (``ball test''), 
by the original compliance date of October 1, 2008.
     The agency is denying the requests for exclusions from the 
pull-to-close switch operability requirement for switches mounted 
overhead, switches for side-hinged vent windows, and switches for 
windows with automatic reversal capability.
    We note here that on February 28, 2008, the President signed a law 
that requires NHTSA to determine whether automatic reversal capability 
should be required for power windows. Thus, as part of that rulemaking 
activity, we will reexamine the safety implications of power windows 
with automatic reversal capability. However, the prospect of future 
rulemaking on automatic reversal has no impact on the decisions set 
forth in this notice regarding petitions for reconsideration of power 
window switch requirements. See section IV-D of this notice for further 
explanation.

II. Background

A. FMVSS No. 118 Requirements

    Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118 specifies 
requirements for power-operated window, partition, and roof panel 
systems \7\ in motor vehicles to minimize the risk of injury or death 
from their accidental operation. The standard applies to passenger 
cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks with a gross vehicle 
weight rating of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 lbs.) or less.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ The term ``power window'' is used in the preamble of this 
final rule to refer to power-operated windows, interior partitions, 
and roof panels, all of which are covered by FMVSS No. 118. Power 
roof panels and partitions are similar to power windows in their 
operation. However, any distinctions in applicability among the 
three types of systems will be delineated clearly in both the 
preamble and the amended regulatory text.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The basic requirements of FMVSS No. 118 are enumerated in paragraph 
S4 of the standard. They include the fundamental requirement that power 
windows must not be operable unless the vehicle's ignition switch is in 
the ``On,'' ``Start,'' or ``Accessory'' position. In this way, the 
standard provides a simple means (i.e., ignition key removal) by which 
a vehicle's windows can be disabled and thus safeguarded from 
accidental closure. Paragraph S4 does specify a few exceptions where 
power windows may close without the vehicle's ignition being turned on 
(e.g., by use of a limited-range remote control), but each exception is 
specified in such a way that safety can still be assured.
    Paragraph S5 of FMVSS No. 118 allows an alternative means of 
compliance through the use of power window automatic reversal systems. 
If such a system is used in a vehicle and it meets the specified 
performance requirements of the standard, then the vehicle is not 
required to meet the window operating restrictions of paragraph S4. 
These systems prevent high closing forces which might injure or entrap 
a person caught in a closing window.
    Although a variety of current vehicles are equipped with automatic 
reversal capability on one or more of their windows, we are not aware 
of any systems that are certified as complying with paragraph S5 of 
FMVSS No. 118. Instead, all current vehicles are certified to paragraph 
S4, even if they are equipped with automatic reversal.

B. Recent Rulemaking Actions on Power Window Switches

    NHTSA published a final rule on September 15, 2004, amending 
Standard No. 118 to add new safety requirements for switches used to 
operate power windows and sunroofs in vehicles covered by the standard. 
The following discussion summarizes the safety considerations which the 
agency sought to address. (For a more complete discussion, please 
consult the September 2004 final rule.)
    The September 2004 final rule responded to various petitions for 
rulemaking and addressed a small number of serious injuries and 
fatalities that had occurred involving power windows and sunroofs (this 
number varied from one to five per year, according to data at the 
time). It was apparent in most of those cases that an occupant, usually 
a child, became entrapped in a power window as a result of 
inadvertently pressing on a window switch while leaning out of a window 
opening. (As noted previously, FMVSS No. 118 requires that power 
windows must be disabled upon ignition key removal; thus, it is 
apparent that the key was in the ignition in each of those cases.)
    The power windows in those cases where serious injuries and 
fatalities occurred used switches of a ``rocker'' or ``toggle'' design 
\8\ that lack protection from casual contact and thus are susceptible 
to inadvertent actuation. We concluded that such injuries could be 
prevented if power window switches were recessed or shrouded, or if a 
type of switch design referred to as a ``pull-to-close'' switch was 
used.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ ``Rocker'' switches are designed to pivot on a center hinge, 
effectively operating like a ``see-saw.'' ``Toggle'' switches 
operate using small levers that push back and forth to open and 
close a window. As a result of their design, downward pressure 
(e.g., caused by a child kneeling or leaning) on a rocker or toggle 
switch could result in a window's either opening or closing, 
depending upon how such force is applied. In contrast, ``pull-to-
close'' switches function such that pressing down on the switch will 
only cause the window to open, but the switch must be actively 
pulled up in order to close the window. Thus, accidental pressing 
with a hand, knee, or foot on a pull-to-close switch could not cause 
a window to close, although it might cause it to open.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Instead of specifying particular design characteristics that would 
address the hazard, the September 2004 final rule instead established a 
performance test to be applied to power window switches in order to 
assure adequate protection from inadvertent actuation. In the specified 
performance test, a rigid spherical test device in the form of a metal 
ball is pressed against each power window switch with a certain amount 
of force to simulate a child kneeling on the switch. (This is commonly 
referred to as the ``ball test''). A switch could pass the test only if 
applying the test device in this manner did not cause the power window 
controlled by the switch to begin to close. Power windows and sunroofs 
in vehicles meeting the ball test performance requirement would be able 
to resist inadvertent actuation of their power windows and sunroofs and 
would provide a measure of protection in the event children were left 
in a vehicle with the ignition turned on.
    Compliance with the September 2004 amendments to Standard No. 118 
was required no later than October 1, 2008, generally coinciding with 
the start of the 2009 model year. This provided manufacturers 
approximately four years of lead-time to meet the new power window 
switch requirement.
    However, in April 2006, about 19 months after publishing that rule, 
in response to legislation enacted by Congress in August 2005, NHTSA 
again amended the standard, adding another new power window switch 
requirement in addition to the performance test established in the 
September 2004 rule.
    Section 10308 of the August 2005 congressional legislation, called 
SAFETEA-LU, contained the following mandate:

    The Secretary [of Transportation] shall upgrade Federal Motor 
Vehicle Safety

[[Page 38334]]

Standard 118 to require that power windows in motor vehicles not in 
excess of 10,000 pounds have switches that raise the window only 
when the switch is pulled up or out. The Secretary shall issue a 
final rule implementing this section by April 1, 2007.

This legislation required that all power window switches be of the 
pull-to-close variety, regardless of whether they met any performance 
test.
    At that time, the agency also had before it a petition for 
reconsideration of the September 2004 final rule submitted by a variety 
of organizations that advocate highway safety.\9\ The petition included 
a request for a new power window switch requirement the same as the one 
contained in the legislative mandate. To implement section 10308 of 
SAFETEA-LU as quickly as possible, the agency decided to grant that 
aspect of the advocacy groups' petition for reconsideration, publishing 
a final rule to this effect on April 12, 2006. That final rule amended 
FMVSS No. 118 by adding section S6(c), implementing the restriction 
stipulated in SAFETEA-LU to allow only switches that operate by being 
``pulled up or out'' for closing of power windows. It also maintained 
the ball test of the 2004 rule because we determined that the 
performance test was still relevant to ensure that all pull-to-close 
switches are resistant to inadvertent actuation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ This October 21, 2004 petition for reconsideration was filed 
by the following advocacy organizations: Advocates for Highway and 
Auto Safety (Advocates), KIDS AND CARS, The Zoie Foundation, the 
Trauma Foundation, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, 
Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Public Citizen, 
Kids In Cars, 4RKidsSake, and the Center for Auto Safety. (Docket 
No. NHTSA-2004-19032-3 and 4.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The April 2006 rule did not modify the deadline for compliance with 
the amended switch requirements, so the compliance date for both the 
``ball test'' of the 2004 rule as well as the ``pull-to-close'' 
requirement was October 1, 2008.

III. Petitions for Reconsideration

    NHTSA received two petitions for reconsideration submitted in 
response to our April 2006 final rule amending the switch-related 
provisions of FMVSS No. 118. One petition was submitted by the Alliance 
of Automobile Manufacturers, and the other was submitted by 
DaimlerChrysler Corporation. These petitions may be found in Docket No. 
NHTSA-2006-24455.
    As noted above, the petitioners requested further amendments to 
FMVSS No. 118 regarding certain issues either addressed in our April 
2006 rulemaking or newly arising therefrom, including adequacy of the 
lead time for achieving compliance with the new requirements. 
Specifically, both petitioners requested additional time to comply with 
the final rule, citing the substantial amount of time that had elapsed 
between the September 2004 rule and the April 2006 amendment and the 
decision by at least some vehicle manufacturers to achieve compliance 
with the September 2004 final rule using shielded or recessed toggle 
switches instead of pull-to-close switch designs.
    The Alliance's petition also requested a number of additional 
amendments to the standard, including exclusion from the new pull-to-
close operability requirements for the following: (1) Switches mounted 
on an overhead console, roof, or headliner; (2) switches for vent-type 
windows, and (3) switches on systems which incorporate an automatic 
reversal feature that complies with the requirements of FMVSS No. 118.
    DaimlerChrysler's petition expressed support for the requests made 
in the Alliance's petition, but it further suggested that if an 
exclusion from the pull-to-close requirement was granted for switches 
incorporating an FMVSS No.118 type of automatic reversal feature, that 
exclusion should be extended to ECE R21-compliant automatic reversal 
systems as well.
    Further analysis of the issues raised in these petitions for 
reconsideration is provided in the following section of this document.

IV. Discussion and Analysis

A. Lead Time

    In adopting a performance test as part of FMVSS No. 118 to ensure 
resistance to inadvertent actuation of power window switches, our 
September 2004 final rule also amended paragraph S2, Application, 
providing that, ``[t]his standard's requirements for actuation devices, 
as provided in S6, need not be met for vehicles manufactured before 
October 1, 2008.'' Thus, that final rule accorded manufacturers 
slightly more than four years of lead time for compliance with the new 
``ball test'' requirement.
    Subsequently, our April 2006 final rule responding to petitions for 
reconsideration of the September 2004 final rule further amended FMVSS 
No. 118 to implement the mandate in section 10308 of SAFETEA-LU, which 
directed NHTSA to require that power window switches have pull-to-close 
operability (see S6(c)). In the preamble for the April 2006 final rule, 
we stated our belief that sufficient lead time still remained for 
manufacturers to meet this new requirement as part of their normal 
production processes. As a result, the agency did not change the 
mandatory compliance date of October 1, 2008. Our assumption that there 
still remained adequate lead time was supported by the fact that many 
vehicle makes and models at that time already had switches that were of 
the pull-to-close variety. Also, we thought it likely that 
manufacturers would choose a pull-to-close type of switch to meet the 
ball test requirement of the 2004 rule, and they would thus meet the 
2006 requirement as well without the need for more lead time.
    The Alliance's petition confirmed that vehicle manufacturers had 
promptly commenced efforts to redesign power window switches to meet 
the September 2004 final rule, and that they were working to achieve 
compliance by the October 1, 2008 deadline. However, contrary to our 
assumption, it was apparent that some of these switch designs, on 
vehicles either in production or nearing production, utilized recessed 
or shielded toggle type switches, which were still a permissible option 
under the September 2004 final rule. In other words, as described by 
the petitioner, some companies had initiated new switch designs on 
certain vehicle models that would comply with the ball test of the 2004 
rule, but the new designs were not of the pull-to-close variety, so 
they would not meet the pull-to-close requirement in the 2006 rule.
    Thus, according to the Alliance, those manufacturers would be 
compelled to ``start over'' on their designs, but would be left with 
insufficient time to undertake the necessary redesign and retooling 
unless the compliance date was extended. Accordingly, the Alliance's 
petition requested two additional years to comply with the April 2006 
requirement (i.e., until October 1, 2010) so that the total lead time 
would be about equal to that originally provided for compliance with 
the 2004 rule.
    The DaimlerChrysler petition made similar arguments regarding the 
perceived inadequacy of the lead time for implementing the pull-to-
close switch operability requirements for companies which had intended 
to comply with the September 2004 rule through some means other than 
pull-to-close switches. For example, DaimlerChrysler's petition stated 
that for about 20 percent of its fleet, the company intended to meet 
the requirements of the September 2004 final rule by equipping those 
vehicles with recessed switches in combination with ECE R21-compliant 
automatic reversal technology (e.g., the Maybach,

[[Page 38335]]

certain Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler convertibles). Thus, the petitioner 
argued that the condensed timeframe for compliance with S6(c) 
represented a significant economic hardship and would result in 
compliance costs significantly higher than the de minimis costs 
estimated by the agency when there were four years of lead time to 
incorporate design changes as part of the manufacturers' routine 
production cycles.
    According to DaimlerChrysler, if the agency were to grant its 
request for an exclusion for vehicles equipped with ECE R21-compliant 
automatic reversal systems, no additional lead time would be required. 
Otherwise, DaimlerChrysler requested an additional two years of lead 
time for either: (1) 20 percent of its entire fleet, or (2) 
specifically for the Maybach, three Mercedes-Benz convertible carlines, 
and one Chrysler Group convertible carline, specifically.
    The agency has carefully considered the arguments related to lead 
time raised by the petitioners. Because the October 1, 2008 compliance 
date in the September 2004 rule allowed manufacturers substantial time 
to comply (i.e., four years), and because the SAFETEA-LU legislation 
was enacted less than one year after the September 2004 rule was 
issued, the agency decided in the April 2006 final rule to retain that 
compliance date for the new requirement. Moreover, we noted that many 
popular vehicle models already were equipped with pull-to-close 
switches, and major vehicle manufacturers including Ford Motor Company 
(Ford) and General Motors Corporation (General Motors) had informed 
NHTSA even prior to the September 2004 final rule that they were 
planning to install pull-to-close switches in most of their vehicles by 
the 2009 model year.
    Nevertheless, based on the information provided in the present 
Alliance and DaimlerChrysler petitions for reconsideration, it is 
evident that some manufacturers have been burdened by the shorter lead 
time allowed to meet the standard's new pull-to-close switch 
requirement. Since it was not the agency's intention to unduly restrict 
lead time (and thereby increase the cost of compliance), we have 
decided to grant the requested two-year extension of the compliance 
deadline for the pull-to-close switch requirement contained in section 
S6(c) of the safety standard. Therefore, we are amending S2, 
Application, to specify that manufacturers must meet the requirements 
of paragraph S6(c) of the standard for vehicles manufactured on or 
after October 1, 2010.
    In granting this request for additional lead time to meet the new 
pull-to-close switch operability requirement, we note that we are not 
extending the compliance date of the other aspects of either the 
September 2004 final rule or the April 2006 final rule; compliance with 
other provisions, particularly the ``ball test,'' is still required by 
no later than October 1, 2008. To further clarify, by that date, new 
vehicles will be required to meet the ball test unless they come within 
a specified exclusion (i.e., for overhead switches or switches with a 
S5-compliant automatic reversal system).
    In this way, manufacturers that had already begun a switch redesign 
process to meet the September 2004 rule, but pursued designs that would 
not meet the subsequent pull-up-to-close requirement, will be granted 
relief. We believe that those manufacturers legitimately need more time 
to undertake a second design iteration to meet the pull-to-close switch 
requirement of the April 2006 rule, particularly since their design 
efforts are likely to be focused on completing their ball test-
compliant designs before the October 1, 2008 deadline.
    Manufacturers that have been or are now in the process of 
implementing pull-up switch designs to meet the September 2004 
requirement (as well as manufacturers that already have pull-to-close 
switches in place) should not have difficulty meeting the October 1, 
2008 compliance deadline. Furthermore, they will not have to be 
concerned with the October 1, 2010 compliance date for the new pull-to-
close requirement since their switches will already meet it. Voluntary 
compliance is permitted immediately.
    In granting the petitioners' request for additional lead time but 
maintaining the original deadline for compliance with the ball test, 
NHTSA can continue to ensure that by October 1, 2008, all vehicles 
covered by Standard No. 118 will have power window switches safeguarded 
against inadvertent actuation at least to the level required under the 
September 2004 final rule, while providing manufacturers reasonable 
lead time to comply with the pull-to-close switch requirement.

B. Overhead Power Window Switches

    Paragraph S6(c) of FMVSS No. 118 implemented the Congressional 
mandate for pull-to-close power window switches (which requires 
``switches that raise the window only when the switch is pulled up or 
out'') through the following requirement:

    Any actuation device for closing a power-operated window must 
operate by pulling away from the surface in the vehicle on which the 
device is mounted. An actuation device must operate only when pulled 
vertically up (if horizontally mounted), or out (if vertically 
mounted), or in a direction perpendicular to the surrounding surface 
if mounted in a sloped orientation, in order to cause the window to 
move in the closing direction.''

Although S6(b) provided exclusion from the ``ball test'' for actuation 
devices mounted in a vehicle's roof, headliner, or overhead console, as 
well as switches linked to an automatic reversal system meeting the 
requirements of S5, the rule adopted in April 2006 did not contain any 
similar exclusion from the pull-to-close switch operability 
requirement.
    In its petition, the Alliance stated that S6(c) does not adequately 
address power-operated window switches that are mounted on an overhead 
console, vehicle roof, or headliner. It its petition, the Alliance 
stated:

    The one scenario the final rule does not provide clear design 
criteria for are power-operated window switches that are mounted on 
an overhead console, vehicle roof, or headliner. These switches are 
mounted on a horizontal surface, but on the bottom, not the top, of 
that surface.

Because such switches are mounted on the bottom of a horizontal 
surface, rather than the top, the Alliance argued that it would be 
impractical to install pull-to-close switches in those locations. 
Accordingly, the Alliance requested that the standard be amended to 
exclude power window switches mounted in an overhead location, such as 
a console in the roof or headliner, from the pull-to-close requirements 
of S6(c). The petitioner also argued that overhead switches pose little 
accidental closure risk because of their location and orientation in 
the vehicle, and that overhead switches would be subject to the ball 
test if they permit closing through momentary or non-continuous switch 
actuation.
    DaimlerChrysler's petition agreed with these arguments in that it 
incorporated the Alliance's petition by reference, including its 
requested exclusion from the pull-to-close operability requirements for 
switches that are mounted on an overhead console, vehicle roof, or 
headliner.
    We generally agree that overhead switches are much less susceptible 
to being inadvertently operated because it would be difficult for 
occupants to lean on them and, consequently, the safety benefit that 
will accrues from requiring pull-to-close operability for window 
switches mounted in armrests, door panels, and other locations may or 
may not apply to switches mounted in overhead locations. This is why 
NHTSA

[[Page 38336]]

chose to exclude most overhead switches from the ball test in the 
September 2004 final rule.
    However, we believe our discretion under section 10308 of SAFETEA-
LU is very limited, and it does not provide for exclusions of overhead 
mounted switches from the pull-to-close design requirement. Therefore, 
we are denying the petitioner's request for exclusion of power window 
switches mounted on an overhead console, vehicle roof, or headliner 
from section S6(c) of FMVSS No. 118.
    Regarding the Alliance's concern relating to ambiguity in how 
overhead window switches are required to operate, we agree that the 
concept of an overhead switch that operates by pulling ``up'' does not 
make sense. But we do not agree that the Alliance's interpretation is 
necessarily correct. The April 2006 final rule states, ``Any actuation 
device * * * must operate by pulling away from the surface in the 
vehicle on which the device is mounted * * *.'' By itself, this text 
makes it reasonably unambiguous that an overhead switch must operate by 
being pulled downward since that is the only direction that could 
practically be considered ``away from'' the roof on the inside of a 
vehicle. (Of course, this discussion is limited to window closing 
mode). In our opinion, there is not much ambiguity in this.
    However, the rule goes on to specify that a horizontally mounted 
switch ``must operate only when pulled vertically up.'' This appears to 
be the source of the ambiguity cited by the Alliance because overhead 
switches can be considered ``horizontally mounted'' even though they 
are actually upside-down relative to switches mounted on an armrest in 
a vehicle door.
    In order to resolve the ambiguity cited by the Alliance, we are 
amending the regulatory text of section S6(c) established in the April 
2006 final rule to read as follows (added text highlighted in bold 
print):

    Any actuation device for closing a power-operated window must 
operate by pulling away from the surface in the vehicle on which the 
device is mounted. An actuation device for closing a power-operated 
window must operate when pulled vertically up (if mounted on the top 
of a horizontal surface), or out (if mounted on a vertical surface), 
or down (if mounted on the underside of an overhead surface), or in 
a direction perpendicular to the surrounding surface if mounted in a 
sloped orientation, in order to cause the window to move in the 
closing direction.

    In addition to removing the ambiguity with respect to operating 
characteristics of overhead power window switches, this amended text 
also further clarifies switch operability for horizontal and vertical 
mounting locations as well.
    This amendment, in specifying more clearly that overhead locations 
must use ``pull-down'' switches, continues to satisfy the statutory 
requirement of section 10308 of SAFETEA-LU, which specifies that 
switches must ``pull up or out'' [emphasis added].
    Because this modification of the regulatory text is relatively 
minor and does not change the requirements of the safety standard in 
any substantive manner, nor expands any costs or burdens associated 
with the safety standard, we believe that further notice and 
opportunity for comment regarding the above amended regulatory text is 
unnecessary.

C. Power Vent Windows

    As discussed in section IV.B, above, the September 2004 and April 
2006 final rules provided broad applicability for the standard's 
requirement for pull-to-close power window switch operability. There is 
currently no exclusion for side-hinged or ``pop-out'' style power vent 
windows, such as those used in the rear side windows of some minivans 
and SUVs.
    In its petition, the Alliance suggested that in passing section 
10308 of SAFETEA-LU, Congress may not have intended for side-hinged 
power vent windows to be subject to the pull-to-close switch 
operability requirement. The Alliance reasoned that since Congress, in 
crafting the statutory language, expressly specified switches that 
``raise'' power windows, it intended to cover only those windows that 
move up and down like conventional side-door windows. The petitioner 
argued that power vent windows are very different in that they hinge 
along one edge and open and close by swinging in and out by only a 
small distance (less than two inches) in order to provide ventilation, 
and they operate with less force, thereby making a severe injury or 
fatality due to inadvertent actuation of these windows unlikely. 
Accordingly, the Alliance requested that the agency amend Standard No. 
118 to exclude side-hinged or pop-out vent windows from the pull-to-
close operability requirement of S6(c). (As noted above, 
DaimlerChrysler's petition incorporated the Alliance's petition by 
reference, including the requested exclusion from the pull-to-close 
operability requirements for pop-out vent window switches.)
    We note that power vent windows were the subject of an earlier 
comment by the Alliance, as discussed in the preamble to the September 
2004 final rule. Specifically, the Alliance had commented that there 
should be an exclusion from the ``ball test'' for certain switches, 
based upon the separation distance between the window and the window 
switch (making it impossible for a child to simultaneously lean on the 
switch and be in the path of the window). The preamble to the September 
2004 final rule acknowledged vent windows as ones where there may be 
considerable distance separating the window and its control switch.\10\ 
However, the agency declined to adopt the exclusion recommended by the 
Alliance, and the preamble does not discuss the different operating 
characteristics of vent windows, which is the particular issue raised 
by the Alliance in its current petition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See 69 FR 55517, 55527 (Sept. 15, 2004) (Docket No. NHTSA-
2004-19032-1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although, as the Alliance points out, the mandate in section 10308 
of SAFETEA-LU (quoted previously) states that it applies to window 
switches that ``raise'' a window, we interpret ``raise'' to generally 
mean the same thing as ``close'' when referring to windows in motor 
vehicles. For example, we note that expression ``put the windows up'' 
is commonly used to mean ``close the windows,'' even if the windows 
don't actually move ``up'' in order to close. We believe that the 
SAFETEA-LU mandate uses ``raise'' in this broader sense and merely 
reflects the most common type of window-closing motion.
    Moreover, the Alliance did not present any reason why it would be 
difficult (either technologically or economically) to provide pull-to-
close switches for power vent windows.
    In addition, the Alliance petition assumes that vent windows have 
inherently less potential for inflicting injury because they hinge on 
one edge and the amount by which they can open is small compared to 
conventional side-door windows. The Alliance did not provide any 
further supporting information, such as measurements comparing the size 
of vent window openings to the size of a child's head or arm 
(children's fingers and hands undoubtedly could fit within the 
opening), or data on the closing force at points along the perimeter of 
vent windows compared to that of conventional side-door windows. As a 
result, we have no basis for determining whether vent windows do in 
fact have negligible injury potential.
    We are denying the petitioners' request for an exclusion for side-
hinged or pop-out vent windows because: (1)

[[Page 38337]]

We believe the agency's mandate does not provide discretion to exclude 
any power window switches from the requirements of the statute; (2) it 
is not clear that any safety risk associated with those windows is 
negligible, and (3) the safety risk that does exist will be effectively 
addressed by the requirement for pull-to-close switch operability at 
minimal cost to manufacturers if given adequate lead time. Since 
manufacturers can apply the additional lead time granted by this notice 
(see IV.A, above) to making power vent window switches that are pull-
to-close compliant, costs will be minimal.

D. Automatic Reversal-Equipped Windows

    In its petition, the Alliance requested an exclusion from the 
standard's pull-to-close switch operability requirement for power 
windows equipped with an automatic reversal system meeting section S5 
of FMVSS No. 118. That section of the standard contains a performance 
specification designed to minimize the squeezing force that a power 
window can exert on a person's body in the event someone becomes 
entrapped by a closing window. According to the Alliance, the pull-to-
close switch requirement provides no additional safety benefit for 
vehicles equipped with this type of power window automatic reversal 
safety system, and it is therefore redundant and unnecessary.
    DaimlerChrysler's petition went somewhat further, stating that if 
NHTSA were to grant an exclusion for power windows having S5-compliant 
automatic reversal capability as the Alliance requested, the agency 
should extend that exclusion to power windows complying with a similar 
automatic reversal specification contained in a European safety 
standard. The petitioner stated that this European specification, 
specifically S5.8.3 of the ECE R21, provides an equivalent level of 
safety as compared to S5 of FMVSS No. 118. DaimlerChrysler acknowledged 
that there are slight differences between the two sets of automatic 
reversal requirements, but it argued that, fundamentally, they provide 
the same level of protection, as the maximum allowable squeezing force 
of 100 Newtons (about 22.5 lbs.) is identical under both standards.
    DaimlerChrysler stated that its Mercedes-Benz unit began production 
of vehicles equipped with ECE R21-compliant automatic power window 
reversal systems around 1990, and the feature has been standard on 
Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold in the U.S. since 1997. According to the 
petitioner, there have been over 1.8 million vehicles sold in the U.S. 
equipped with ECE-type automatic reversal, and that company stated that 
it has never been informed of an injury associated with the reaction 
time of those ECE-type systems. Accordingly, DaimlerChrysler argued 
that a requirement for pull-to-close switch operability for vehicles 
equipped with ECE R21-compliant automatic reversal capability would be 
redundant and unnecessary.
    As noted in section IV.B above, vehicle windows are broadly covered 
by the requirement for pull-to-close power window switches of the April 
2006 final rule. There are currently no exclusions; all switches 
controlling power windows in vehicles covered by the standard must meet 
the ``pull up or out'' operability requirement. This is consistent with 
the fact that the SAFETEA-LU legislation broadly requires power windows 
to have pull-up or pull-out switches and does not stipulate any 
authority for NHTSA to make exclusions.
    We generally agree that switch design has less safety importance 
for power window systems incorporating automatic reversal capability 
because that feature accomplishes the desired safety purpose of 
protecting occupants from injury or entrapment and can safeguard 
occupants in a variety of situations, not just those involving 
inadvertent switch actuation. We used these rationales in excluding 
those switches from the ball test in the September 2004 final rule.
    However, when establishing the ball test in 2004, NHTSA was working 
under its usual Safety Act authority in rulemaking, and we chose to 
exercise discretion in allowing an exclusion from the ball test for 
windows having S5-compliant automatic reversal capability, as well as 
an exclusion for switches mounted in overhead locations.
    In the current situation, NHTSA acted in response to explicit 
direction from Congress. The statute does not provide specific 
authority for the agency to establish exclusions, and furthermore, 
there is no legislative history associated with SAFETEA-LU to suggest 
that NHTSA has discretion in implementing that legislation. We also 
note that the costs associated with the pull-to-close operability 
requirement are minimal, and such switches may provide a margin of 
safety by limiting the circumstances under which there would be a need 
to rely on automatic reversal capability.
    For these reasons, we have decided to deny both the Alliance's and 
DaimlerChrysler's requests for an exclusion from the pull-to-close 
switch operability requirement of S6(c) of the safety standard. Power 
windows equipped with automatic reversal capability are not excluded 
from the requirement to have pull-up-or pull-out window switches 
regardless of whether that capability complies with section S5 of FMVSS 
No. 118 or relevant sections of ECE-R21.
    On February 28, 2008, the President signed the Cameron Gulbransen 
Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007. Section 2(a) of this law 
requires that within 18 months of enactment, NHTSA must ``initiate a 
rulemaking to consider prescribing or amending Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards to require power windows and panels on motor vehicles 
to automatically reverse direction when such power windows and panels 
detect an obstruction to prevent children and others from being 
trapped, injured, or killed.''
    The new law does not influence our decision to deny petitioner's 
request for an exclusion from the pull-to-close requirement for 
switches used in automatic reversal-equipped power window systems. As 
we have already explained, the SAFETEA-LU statute did not allow for 
such an exclusion. The fact that the new Cameron Gulbransen Kids 
Transportation Safety Act of 2007 could result in an automatic reversal 
mandate does not affect the pull-to-close switch mandate.
    The new law might have an impact on applicability of the ball test 
because the 2004 rule which established that test specified that 
vehicles with Standard No. 118-compliant automatic reversal capability 
are excluded from it. However, this is not directly relevant to the 
current petitions for reconsideration, which are concerned only with 
the pull-to-close requirement, not the ball test, and our decision set 
forth in this notice to deny the requests related to automatic reversal 
is unaffected.

V. Benefits and Costs

    Section XI of the September 2004 final rule summarized the benefits 
associated with our amendments to FMVSS No. 118 to require safer power 
window switches, and Section XII of that final rule described the 
associated costs. In summary, those sections of the final rule stated 
that based upon all available evidence, the agency expects that, on 
average, at least one child fatality and at least one serious injury 
(e.g., amputation, brain damage from near suffocation) per year could 
be prevented by the requirements of the final rule. As discussed in 
that final rule, we believe that this is a conservative estimate and 
that actual benefits are likely to be higher. In terms

[[Page 38338]]

of costs, we stated in the September 2004 final rule that we expect 
that the new requirements will impose very little cost burden on 
vehicle manufacturers, particularly given the lead time provided (i.e., 
compliance date of October 1, 2008).
    In the April 12, 2006 final rule responding to petitions for 
reconsideration, we stated in Section VII that the technical changes 
arising from that rule (primarily changes in the mode of switch 
operation and/or in the shape of surrounding trim pieces) would not 
significantly affect the operation of power windows. We stated our 
expectation that the cost to manufacturers, was expected to be 
negligible, given that any necessary switch modifications would 
presumably be incorporated during the course of normal product design 
cycles.
    In terms of today's final rule responding to petitions for 
reconsideration, our decision to grant petitioners' requests for 
additional lead time to implement the standard's requirement for power 
window switches with pull-to-close operability again is intended to 
ensure that safer switch requirements are implemented as part of normal 
vehicle design cycles. The other change to the standard is for purposes 
of clarification and is not expected to have any measurable cost impact 
for manufacturers.
    Thus, the agency has determined that the amendments resulting from 
this final rule responding to petitions for reconsideration will not 
appreciably change the costs and benefits reported in the September 
2004 final rule. In light of today's amendments, we continue to believe 
that there is adequate lead time to allow manufacturers to comply with 
the amended standard without appreciable cost. Accordingly, the agency 
has decided that the estimates in that document remain valid and that 
additional analysis is not required.

VI. Rulemaking Analyses and Notice

A. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    NHTSA has considered the impacts of this rulemaking action under 
Executive Order 12866 and the Department of Transportation's regulatory 
policies and procedures. This rulemaking document was not reviewed 
under E.O. 12866.
    Today's rule responding to petitions for reconsideration amends the 
agency's April 2006 final rule concerning switches for windows and 
other items, which itself amended the agency's September 2004 rule 
concerning these items. Today's rule provides two additional years of 
lead time for compliance with the April 2006 pull-to-close operability 
requirement for power window switches. It also makes a clarifying 
amendment. The rule does not impose new obligations on manufacturers.
    As we stated in the preamble to the April 2006 final rule, on 
average, we expect that the September 2004 final rule for safer power 
window switches will result in annual benefits that are expected to be 
a savings of one child's life and the avoidance of at least one serious 
injury, and the April 2006 final rule responding to petitions for 
reconsideration maintained that anticipated level of benefits. Today's 
final rule will also maintain the anticipated benefits of those rules, 
particularly given that the additional lead time provided will be 
limited only to the pull-to-close operability requirement for power 
window switches and not the inadvertent actuation performance test. 
Therefore, the impacts of these amendments are so minor that a full 
regulatory evaluation is not required.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996), whenever an agency is required to publish a notice 
of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make 
available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that 
describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small 
businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions). 
The Small Business Administration's regulations at 13 CFR Part 121 
define a small business, in part, as a business entity ``which operates 
primarily within the United States.'' (13 CFR 121.105(a)). No 
regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency 
certifies the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. SBREFA amended the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act to require Federal agencies to provide a statement of 
the factual basis for certifying that a rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    NHTSA has considered the effects of this final rule under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. I certify that this final rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The rationale for this certification is that the present 
final rule responding to petitions for reconsideration only provides 
additional lead time for the pull-to-close operability requirement and 
makes a minor clarifying amendment.

D. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    NHTSA has examined today's final rule pursuant to Executive Order 
13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999) and concluded that no additional 
consultation with States, local governments or their representatives is 
mandated beyond the rulemaking process. The agency has concluded that 
the rule does not have federalism implications because the rule does 
not 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.''
    Further, no consultation is needed to discuss the preemptive effect 
of today's rule. NHTSA rules can have preemptive effect in at least two 
ways. First, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act contains 
an express preemptive provision: ``When a motor vehicle safety standard 
is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of 
a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to 
the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle 
equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed 
under this chapter.'' 49 U.S.C. 30103(b)(1). It is this statutory 
command that preempts State law, not today's rulemaking, so 
consultation would be inappropriate.
    In addition to the express preemption noted above, the Supreme 
Court has also recognized that State requirements imposed on motor 
vehicle manufacturers, including sanctions imposed by State tort law, 
can stand as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of a NHTSA 
safety standard. When such a conflict is discerned, the Supremacy 
Clause of the Constitution makes their State requirements 
unenforceable. See Geier v. American Honda Motor Co., 529 U.S. 861 
(2000). NHTSA has not outlined such potential State requirements in 
today's rulemaking, however, in part because such conflicts can arise 
in varied contexts, but it is conceivable that such a conflict may 
become clear through subsequent experience with today's requirements. 
NHTSA may opine on such conflicts in the future, if warranted. See id. 
at 883-86.

[[Page 38339]]

E. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    With respect to the review of the promulgation of a new regulation, 
section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil Justice Reform'' (61 FR 
4729, February 7, 1996) requires that Executive agencies make every 
reasonable effort to ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly specifies 
the preemptive effect; (2) clearly specifies the effect on existing 
Federal law or regulation; (3) provides a clear legal standard for 
affected conduct, while promoting simplification and burden reduction; 
(4) clearly specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately 
defines key terms; and (7) addresses other important issues affecting 
clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the 
Attorney General. This document is consistent with that requirement.
    Pursuant to this Order, NHTSA notes as follows. The preemptive 
effect of this rule is discussed above. NHTSA notes further that there 
is no requirement that individuals submit a petition for 
reconsideration or pursue other administrative proceeding before they 
may file suit in court.

F. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks)

    Executive Order 13045, ``Protection of Children from Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19855, April 23, 1997), applies to any 
rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant'' as 
defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental, 
health, or safety risk that the agency has reason to believe may have a 
disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action meets 
both criteria, the agency must evaluate the environmental health or 
safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the agency.
    Although this final rule responding to petitions for 
reconsideration is part of a rulemaking expected to have a positive 
safety impact on children, it is not an economically significant 
regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Consequently, no further 
analysis is required under Executive Order 13045.

G. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 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. There is not 
any information collection requirement associated with this final rule.

H. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, (15 U.S.C. 272) directs the 
agency to evaluate and use voluntary consensus standards in its 
regulatory activities unless doing so would be inconsistent with 
applicable law or is 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. The NTTAA directs us to provide 
Congress (through OMB) with explanations when we decide not to use 
available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. The NTTAA does 
not apply to symbols.
    Currently, there are no voluntary consensus standards directly 
related to power-operated window switch design. However, NHTSA will 
consider any such standards as they become available.

I. 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 annually (adjusted for inflation with base year of 
1995). Before promulgating a NHTSA rule for which a written statement 
is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires the agency 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 the agency 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 
of why that alternative was not adopted.
    This final rule responding to petitions for reconsideration will 
not result in the expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments or 
the private sector, in the aggregate, of more than $100 million 
annually. Thus, this final rule is not subject to the requirements of 
sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

J. National Environmental Policy Act

    NHTSA has analyzed this rulemaking action for the purposes of the 
National Environmental Policy Act. The agency has determined that 
implementation of this action will not have any significant impact on 
the quality of the human environment.

K. Regulatory 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.

L. Privacy Act

    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://www.regulations.gov.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Parts 571

    Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Tires.


0
In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA is amending 49 CFR part 571 as 
follows:

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

0
1. The authority citation for part 571 of Title 49 continues to read as 
follows:

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


0
2. Section 571.118 is amended by revising S2 and S6(c) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  571.118  Standard No. 118; Power-operated window, partition, and 
roof panel systems.

* * * * *
    S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, 
multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks with a gross vehicle weight 
rating of 4,536 kilograms or less. This standard's inadvertent 
actuation performance

[[Page 38340]]

requirements of S6(a) need not be met for vehicles manufactured before 
October 1, 2008. The standard's pull-to-close switch operability 
requirements of S6(c) need not be met for vehicles manufactured before 
October 1, 2010.
* * * * *
    S6. * * *
* * * * *
    (c) Any actuation device for closing a power-operated window must 
operate by pulling away from the surface in the vehicle on which the 
device is mounted. An actuation device for closing a power-operated 
window must operate only when pulled vertically up (if mounted on the 
top of a horizontal surface), or out (if mounted on a vertical 
surface), or down (if mounted on the underside of an overhead surface), 
or in a direction perpendicular to the surrounding surface if mounted 
in a sloped orientation, in order to cause the window to move in the 
closing direction.
* * * * *

    Issued: July 1, 2008.
Nicole R. Nason,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E8-15310 Filed 7-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P