[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 167 (Monday, August 29, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53648-53652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21946]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-2008-0149]
RIN 2127-AK25


Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Occupant Crash Protection

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal motor vehicle safety 
standard (FMVSS) on occupant crash protection to remove the sunset of a 
requirement that a vehicle's lap belt must be lockable, without the use 
of special tools, to tightly secure a child restraint system (CRS). We 
refer to this as the ``lockability'' requirement. Under the current 
standard, the lockability requirement ceases to apply to seating 
positions that are equipped with a child restraint anchorage system 
(commonly referred to as a ``LATCH'' system) on vehicles manufactured 
on or after September 1, 2012. Because data indicate that motorists are 
still using lockable belts to install CRSs even in seating positions 
with LATCH, there is a continuing need for the lockability requirement 
even in seating positions with LATCH. Thus, this final rule ensures 
that the lockability requirement continues in effect for all seating 
positions past September 1, 2012.

DATES: Effective date: The final rule is effective December 27, 2011. 
Petitions for reconsideration of the final rule must be received not 
later than October 13, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Any petitions for reconsideration should refer to the docket 
number of this document and be submitted to: Administrator, National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building, Washington, 
DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For non-legal issues, you may call Ms. 
Carla Rush, Office of Crashworthiness Standards, Light Duty Vehicle 
Division (Phone: 202-366-4583; fax: 202-493-2739). For legal issues, 
you may call Mr. Thomas Healy, 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: This final rule amends FMVSS No. 208 to 
retain the lockability requirement, which is slated to sunset September 
1, 2012. The agency is issuing this final rule because data indicate 
that motorists are still using vehicle belts to a large degree to 
attach CRSs to the vehicle seats. The NPRM preceding this final rule 
was published September 12, 2008 (73 FR 52939, Docket No. NHTSA-2008-
0149).

I. Background

    On October 13, 1993, NHTSA amended FMVSS No. 208, Occupant Crash 
Protection, to require all passenger cars, trucks, buses, and

[[Page 53649]]

multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 
4,536 kilograms (kg) (10,000 pounds (lb)) or less to have a seat belt 
assembly with a lockable lap belt at each forward-facing designated 
seating position (DSP), except the driver's position and any right-
front DSP equipped with an automatic belt.\1\ The means provided to 
lock the lap belt could not require the use of a locking clip \2\ or 
any other device that attached to the vehicle's seat belt webbing, nor 
could it require the user to twist, invert, or otherwise deform the 
webbing. This requirement is referred to by the agency as the 
``lockability'' requirement or the ``lockable belt'' requirement.
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    \1\ 58 FR 52922, (Oct. 13, 1993).
    \2\ A locking clip is a flat H-shaped metal clip intended to 
fasten together belt webbing (lap and shoulder portion) at a sliding 
latch plate, to prevent the webbing from sliding through.
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    FMVSS No. 208 also requires vehicles to be equipped with an 
emergency locking retractor (ELR) for Type 2 (lap/shoulder) seat belt 
assemblies.\3\ To meet the lockability and ELR requirements, vehicle 
manufacturers commonly use a switchable seat belt retractor (ELR/
automatic locking retractor (ALR)) that can be converted from an ELR to 
an ALR. An ELR/ALR retractor can be converted from an ELR to an ALR by 
slowly pulling all of the webbing out of the retractor and then letting 
the retractor wind the webbing back up. In the ALR mode, the seat belt 
is lockable for use with CRSs.
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    \3\ An ELR is a seat belt retractor that locks only in response 
to the rapid deceleration of the vehicle or rapid spooling out of 
the seat belt webbing from the retractor, and increases the comfort 
of the seat belt assembly as compared to an automatic locking 
retractor (ALR). An ALR is a seat belt retractor that locks when the 
continuous motion of spooling the belt out is stopped. From that 
point, the seat belt cannot be pulled out further without first 
letting the belt fully retract into the retractor housing.
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    The lockability requirement was meant to ease the installation of 
CRSs. However, motorists still found the installation of CRSs using a 
lockable seat belt to be difficult and the compatibility of a CRS with 
vehicle seats frequently challenging. Because of these difficulties, 
NHTSA published a final rule on March 5, 1999, establishing FMVSS No. 
225, Child Restraint Anchorage Systems.\4\ That final rule required 
motor vehicle manufacturers to install Lower Anchors and Tethers for 
Children (LATCH) \5\ systems in their vehicles, and also amended FMVSS 
No. 213, Child Restraint Systems, to require CRS manufacturers to 
install components on most CRSs to allow the CRS to connect to a LATCH 
system on a vehicle.
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    \4\ 64 FR 10786, (Mar. 5, 1999).
    \5\ The term LATCH was developed by child restraint 
manufacturers and retailers to refer to the standardized child 
restraint anchorage system required to be installed in vehicles by 
FMVSS No. 225. The LATCH system is comprised of two lower anchorages 
and one top tether anchorage. Each lower anchorage includes a rigid 
round rod or bar onto which the connector of a child restraint 
system can be attached. The bars are located at the intersection of 
the vehicle seat cushion and seat back. The top tether anchorage is 
a fixture to which the tether of a child restraint system can be 
hooked. FMVSS No. 225 required the 3-point LATCH system at two rear 
seating positions, and a top tether anchorage at a third rear 
seating position when a third rear seating position is provided in 
the vehicle.
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    When NHTSA published the final rule, the agency anticipated that 
all vehicles would be LATCH-equipped by September 1, 2012, ten years 
after the implementation date of the final rule. Because LATCH was 
intended to replace lockable belts as the means for installing CRSs in 
vehicles, the agency believed that there would be a time when lockable 
belts were no longer needed for LATCH-equipped seating positions. 
Accordingly, the final rule also amended FMVSS No. 208, to rescind the 
lockability requirement for each rear designated seating position 
equipped with LATCH. The sunset of the lockability requirement was set 
as September 1, 2012.
    In 2005, NHTSA conducted a survey to assess consumer response to 
LATCH.\6\ The survey sought to determine whether drivers of vehicles 
equipped with a LATCH system were using LATCH to secure LATCH-equipped 
CRSs to their vehicles, and to see if those CRSs were properly 
installed. The survey found that in 13 percent of the LATCH-equipped 
vehicles in which there was a child restraint, the restraint was placed 
in a seat position not equipped with lower anchors (the vehicle seat 
belt was used to secure the restraint to the vehicle). Among the 87 
percent who placed the child restraint at a position equipped with 
lower anchors, only 60 percent used the lower attachments to secure the 
restraint to the vehicle. Of the child restraints located in a seating 
position equipped with an upper tether anchor, 55 percent were attached 
to the vehicle using the upper tether. Sixty-one (61) percent of upper 
tether nonusers and 55 percent of lower attachment nonusers cited their 
lack of knowledge--not knowing what the anchorages were, that they were 
available in the vehicle, the importance of using them, or how to use 
them properly--as the reason for not using them. While the LATCH survey 
found that consumers who have experience with LATCH like the system and 
that LATCH is helping to reduce the insecure installation of child 
restraints, the report also indicated that proper use of LATCH is not 
inherently evident to parents. Many parents do not use LATCH; they may 
not know about it or understand its importance, or may have 
difficulties using it.
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    \6\ Decina, L.E., Lococo, K.H., and Doyle, C.T., Child Restraint 
Use Survey: LATCH Use and Misuse. NHTSA Publication No. DOT HS 810 
679, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, 
2006. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Communication%20&%20Consumer%20Information/Articles/Associated%20Files/LATCH_Report_12-2006.pdf.
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    In response to the survey's findings, NHTSA held a public meeting 
February 8, 2007, to discuss the effectiveness of the LATCH system, 
posing questions to vehicle manufacturers, CRS manufacturers, and 
public interest groups about improvements to the LATCH system and 
educating the public about LATCH.\7\ Among the issues raised at the 
meeting was whether the lockability requirement should be retained, 
given the results of the survey.
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    \7\ Notice of public meeting, request for comments, 72 FR 3103, 
(Jan. 24, 2007). A transcript of the public meeting is available at 
http://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. NHTSA-2007-2683.
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    On January 22, 2007, SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. (SafetyBeltSafe) and 
Safe Ride News petitioned the agency to remove the sunset clause for 
the lockability requirement in FMVSS No. 208. The petitioners believed 
that the agency should retain the lockable belt requirement for LATCH-
equipped DSPs because many parents and caregivers still rely on 
lockable belts to keep their children safely secured while riding in a 
vehicle. In response to the petition and the comments received at the 
public meeting, NHTSA published an NPRM on September 12, 2008, 
proposing to remove the sunset on the belt lockability requirement for 
LATCH-equipped DSPs.\8\
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    \8\ 73 FR 52939, (Sept. 12, 2008), supra.
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II. Public Comments on NPRM

    NHTSA received 154 comments in response to the NPRM. All of the 
comments received by the agency expressed support for the agency's 
proposal in the NPRM to retain the lockability requirement. The agency 
received comments from motor vehicle manufacturers, insurance groups, 
CRS manufacturers, child advocacy groups, highway and traffic consumer 
organizations, child passenger safety (CPS) technicians, physicians, 
health and medical organizations, emergency responders and private 
individuals.\9\
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    \9\ Groups that submitted comments included General Motors 
Corporation (GM), the Association of International Automobile 
Manufacturers, Inc. (AIAM), the American Automobile Association 
(AAA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JPMA), Dorel 
Juvenile Group (DJG), several Safe Kids Worldwide coalitions, 
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., Safe Ride News Publications, the Car Seat 
Lady, the New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, Illinois 
Traffic Safety Leaders, the Vermont Governor's Highway Safety 
Program, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), the Utah 
Highway Safety Office, Traffic Safety Projects (TSP), University of 
North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC), Crash 
Survivors Network, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), and 
the Texas Agri-Life Extension-Texas A&M System.

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[[Page 53650]]

    In expressing support for the agency's proposal, the commenters 
raised many similar arguments for retaining the lockability requirement 
in FMVSS No. 208. Many of the commenters submitted comments derived 
from the same template. Commenters believed that the agency should 
retain the lockability requirement because some motorists prefer to use 
belts to attach CRSs, or must use belts instead of LATCH for a variety 
of reasons, including those raised by petitioners SafetyBeltSafe and 
Safe Ride News in support of retaining the lockability requirement. See 
NPRM, 73 FR at 52940.

III. Agency Decision

    After reviewing the comments, NHTSA has concluded that a safety 
need exists to retain the lockability requirement in FMVSS No. 208, to 
facilitate the ease-of-use of seat belts in attaching CRSs to vehicles. 
The agency is adopting this final rule for the reasons stated in the 
NPRM. Specifically, the agency's LATCH survey (Decina, L.E., Lococo, 
K.H., and Doyle, C.T., Child Restraint Use Survey: LATCH Use and 
Misuse, supra) indicates that many motorists are continuing to use the 
vehicle's belt system to install child restraints, even when attaching 
a LATCH-equipped child restraint to a LATCH-equipped vehicle seat.
    NHTSA's observational survey of the use, misuse, and consumer 
reaction to LATCH found that drivers who preferred installing a CRS 
with seat belt as opposed to LATCH indicated that they knew what to do 
with the seat belt. These drivers who preferred to install CRSs with 
seat belts also suggested it was easier and quicker to use the seat 
belt, and without the seat belt they could not get the CRS installed 
tight enough. While a majority of those surveyed in the NHTSA 
observational study preferred to install CRSs using LATCH, some parents 
and caregivers continued to demonstrate a preference for lockable 
belts. We are also concerned that, having become accustomed to the 
availability and use of lockable belts, some may continue to use seat 
belts to install CRSs even if they could not lock the belt and even 
when LATCH is available at the seating position. We believe that the 
continued availability of lockable belts provides parents and 
caregivers the flexibility needed to ensure that everyone can readily 
and safely install a CRS in their vehicle, whether they choose to use 
LATCH or the belts.
    Many commenters elaborated on reasons some motorists choose to use 
the seat belts instead of LATCH to attach CRSs.\10\
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    \10\ Some elaborated on reasons for supporting lockability that 
were unrelated to the use of the belts to attach CRSs. Some 
commenters stated that lockable lap belts are used to prevent 
children in a booster seat or children with behavioral problems or 
special needs, who cannot sit still, from manipulating the seat 
belt. Some noted that locking the belts adjacent to a restrained 
child passenger prevents children from playing with the belt and 
wrapping it around their neck. With regard to the latter point, we 
note that NHTSA recommends that if a child has an unused seat belt 
within reach, the caregiver should buckle unused seat belt and lock 
the seat belt using the lockability feature. http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Child+Safety/Keeping+Kids+Safe+-+Seat+Belt+Entanglement.
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    Many commenters noted that LATCH anchors in some vehicles can be 
difficult to access, which can complicate installation of CRSs. We 
recognize there continue to be challenges in fitting some CRSs in a 
particular vehicle, notwithstanding improvements LATCH has made to 
vehicle-CRS compatibility. Accordingly, NHTSA has developed a new 
Vehicle-CRS fit program through the New Car Assessment Program that 
will provide caregivers with information about which CRSs fit their 
vehicles best. We anticipate this program will further minimize 
incompatibility issues and improve consumers' familiarity and comfort 
with installing CRSs using LATCH over time.\11\ We are also undertaking 
a program to assess whether some improvements to LATCH are needed.\12\ 
At the same time, we believe that retaining the lockable belt 
requirement in FMVSS No. 208 is also needed to facilitate an easy 
installation of a CRS in a vehicle when the belts are used, and a 
secure fit of the CRS to the vehicle seat.
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    \11\ 76 FR 10637, (Feb. 25, 2011).
    \12\ See NHTSA 2011-2013 Rulemaking and Research Priority Plan, 
p. 16, http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/rulemaking/pdf/2011-2013_Vehicle_Safety-Fuel_Economy_Rulemaking-Research_Priority_Plan.pdf.
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    Some commenters indicated that some consumers use the belts because 
they do not have a choice in using LATCH. Some commenters noted that 
since the time that LATCH was adopted, CRSs have evolved so that more 
and more of them are designed to accommodate heavier children. Several 
CRS manufacturers now offer harnessed-CRSs for children with weights 
above 40 lb. The harnessed-CRSs must be attached to the vehicle seat by 
some means. Yet, many vehicle manufacturers have specified a maximum 
load of 40 lb to 48 lb for the LATCH anchors in their vehicles. 
Commenters requested that the agency retain the belt lockability 
requirement, despite the existence of LATCH, to accommodate children 
weighing more than the manufacturer-recommended weight limit for LATCH 
anchors of vehicles in which they ride. When the child's weight 
bypasses the weight limit, the caregiver will have to detach the CRS 
from the LATCH anchors and re-attach the CRS using the seat belt. In 
that event, it would facilitate the installation if the belt were 
lockable. Similarly, some commenters pointed out that retaining the 
lockability requirement provides flexibility to caregivers in deciding 
where car beds and harnesses could be installed. These CRSs are not 
required by FMVSS No. 213 to have LATCH attachments.
    The agency acknowledges that caregivers need to use seat belts to 
install the above CRSs. Retaining the lockability requirement will 
provide caregivers the greatest flexibility to choose a DSP where they 
could achieve an easy and secure installation.

Conclusion

    The agency has decided to retain the belt lockability requirement 
for LATCH-equipped DSPs and is rescinding the belt lockability sunset 
in this final rule. We believe that retaining the lockable belt 
requirement in FMVSS No. 208 will help caregivers to properly and 
securely install CRSs in vehicles.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

A. Executive Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, and DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures

    NHTSA has considered the impact of this rulemaking action under 
Executive Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, and the DOT's regulatory 
policies and procedures. This final rule was not reviewed by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866, ``Regulatory Planning 
and Review.'' It is not considered to be significant under E.O. 12866 
or the Department's regulatory policies and procedures. The agency is 
seeking to ensure that lap belts continue to be lockable in vehicles 
manufactured on or after September 1, 2012. The rulemaking would not 
affect current costs of manufacturing lap belt systems. The minimal 
impacts of today's amendment do not warrant preparation of a regulatory 
evaluation.

[[Page 53651]]

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 60l et 
seq., NHTSA has evaluated the effects of this action on small entities. 
I hereby certify that this rule would not have a significant impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. The final rule would affect 
motor vehicle manufacturers, multistage manufacturers and alterers, but 
the entities that qualify as small businesses would not be 
significantly affected by this rulemaking because they are already 
required to comply with the lockability requirements and have been 
since 1995. This final rule removes the sunset of the requirement to 
ensure that lap belts continue to be lockable in vehicles manufactured 
on or after September 1, 2012. The rulemaking would not affect current 
costs of manufacturing lap belt systems.

C. Executive Order 13132

    NHTSA has examined today's 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 rulemaking would not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant consultation with State and local officials or the preparation 
of a federalism summary impact statement. The final rule would 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.''
    NHTSA rules can preempt in two ways. First, the National Traffic 
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act contains an express preemption 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 by Congress that preempts any 
non-identical State legislative and administrative law addressing the 
same aspect of performance.
    The express preemption provision set forth above is subject to a 
savings clause under which ``[c]ompliance with a motor vehicle safety 
standard prescribed under this chapter does not exempt a person from 
liability at common law.'' 49 U.S.C. 30103(e) Pursuant to this 
provision, State common law tort causes of action against motor vehicle 
manufacturers that might otherwise be preempted by the express 
preemption provision are generally preserved. However, the Supreme 
Court has recognized the possibility, in some instances, of implied 
preemption of such State common law tort causes of action by virtue of 
NHTSA's rules, even if not expressly preempted. This second way that 
NHTSA rules can preempt is dependent upon there being an actual 
conflict between an FMVSS and the higher standard that would 
effectively be imposed on motor vehicle manufacturers if someone 
obtained a State common law tort judgment against the manufacturer, 
notwithstanding the manufacturer's compliance with the NHTSA standard. 
Because most NHTSA standards established by an FMVSS are minimum 
standards, a State common law tort cause of action that seeks to impose 
a higher standard on motor vehicle manufacturers will generally not be 
preempted. However, if and when such a conflict does exist--for 
example, when the standard at issue is both a minimum and a maximum 
standard--the State common law tort cause of action is impliedly 
preempted. See Geier v. American Honda Motor Co., 529 U.S. 861 (2000).
    Pursuant to Executive Order 13132 and 12988, NHTSA has considered 
whether this rule could or should preempt State common law causes of 
action. The agency's ability to announce its conclusion regarding the 
preemptive effect of one of its rules reduces the likelihood that 
preemption will be an issue in any subsequent tort litigation.
    To this end, the agency has examined the nature (e.g., the language 
and structure of the regulatory text) and objectives of today's rule 
and finds that this rule, like many NHTSA rules, prescribes only a 
minimum safety standard. As such, NHTSA does not intend that this rule 
preempt state tort law that would effectively impose a higher standard 
on motor vehicle manufacturers than that established by today's rule. 
Establishment of a higher standard by means of State tort law would not 
conflict with the minimum standard announced here. Without any 
conflict, there could not be any implied preemption of a State common 
law tort cause of action.\13\
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    \13\ We note that AAJ submitted a comment to the September 12, 
2008 NPRM questioning the agency's inclusion of a discussion of the 
preemptive effect of the rule in the preamble of the NPRM. A June 
14, 2010 final rule on FMVSS No. 305, Electric-powered vehicles: 
electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection, has previously 
responded to AAJ's concerns about the agency's discussion of the 
preemptive effect of safety standards. See, 75 FR 33515, at 33524-
33525 (Jun. 12, 2010). That discussion and this discussion here 
should fully respond to AAJ's concerns.
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D. National Environmental Policy Act

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

E. 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. This final rule would not establish any new 
information collection requirements.

F. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Under the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 
(NTTAA) (Pub. L. 104-113), ``all Federal agencies and departments shall 
use technical standards that are developed or adopted by voluntary 
consensus standards bodies, using such technical standards as a means 
to carry out policy objectives or activities determined by the agencies 
and departments.'' There are no voluntary consensus standards 
pertaining to the lockability requirements addressed today.

G. 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 (6) 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 final rule is discussed above. NHTSA notes further that 
there is no requirement that individuals submit a petition for 
reconsideration or pursue

[[Page 53652]]

other administrative proceeding before they may file suit in court.

H. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires 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). This final rule would 
not result in expenditures by State, local or tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector in excess of $100 million 
annually.

I. Executive Order 13045

    Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) applies to any 
rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant'' as 
defined under E.O. 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental, health, or 
safety risk that NHTSA has reason to believe may have a 
disproportionate effect on children. This rulemaking is not subject to 
the Executive Order because it is not economically significant as 
defined in E.O. 12866.

J. Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 18, 2001) applies to any 
rulemaking that: (1) Is determined to be economically significant as 
defined under E.O. 12866, and is likely to have a significantly adverse 
effect on the supply of, distribution of, or use of energy; or (2) that 
is designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. This rulemaking is 
not subject to E.O. 13211.

K. 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.

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).

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

    Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles, and Tires.

    In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA amends 49 CFR part 571 as 
set forth below.

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

0
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.


0
2. Section 571.208 is amended by; revising the introductory paragraph 
of S7.1.1.5 and removing S7.1.1.5(d).
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  571.208  Standard No. 208; Occupant crash protection.

* * * * *
    S7.1.1.5 Passenger cars, and trucks, buses, and multipurpose 
passenger vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less 
manufactured on or after September 1, 1995 shall meet the requirements 
of S7.1.1.5(a), S7.1.1.5(b) and S7.1.1.5(c).
* * * * *

    Issued on: August 22, 2011.
David L. Strickland,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-21946 Filed 8-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P