G/TBT/N/USA/2069  
22 November 2023  
(23-7884) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) [2100]  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
Please submit comments to: USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point, Email: usatbtep@nist.gov  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [  ], 5.7.1 [  ], 3.2 [  ], 7.2 [  ], 
other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Restraint 
devices used to secure individuals inside an aircraft when not properly se cured by FAA -
approved seat belts and, if installed, shoulder harnesses or approved child restraint 
systems; Passenger and cabin equipment (ICS code(s): 49.095)  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Use of 
Supplemental Restrai nt Systems; (23 page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  Notice of proposed rulemaking - This proposed rule would 
prohibit civil aircraft operations conducted with supplemental restraint systems (SRS) 
unless operators meet certain requirements for ensuring passenger safety during all 
phases of the operation. The FAA expects these proposed requirements would increase 
the safety of passengers during civil aircraft operations conducted with SRS. This proposal 
addresses recommendations from the National  Transportation Safety Board and the 
Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. Additionally, this proposed rule 
would codify, with updates, an Emergency Order currently in effect addressing safety 
concerns regarding the use of supplemental restraints. The proposed rule would apply to 
all civil aircraft operations conducted with use of SRS. The rule as proposed would not 
apply to parachute operations or rotorcraft external -load operations. Additionally, the 
proposed rule would not apply to op erations conducted as public aircraft operations.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Protection of human health or safety  G/TBT/N/USA/2069  
 
- 2 - 
 
  8. Relevant documents:   
88 Federal Register (FR) 80997, 21 November 2023; Title 14  Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) Parts 91, 135, and 136: 
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2023-11-21/html/2023 -24936.htm  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2023-11-21/pdf/2023 -24936.pdf  
This p roposed rule is identified by Docket Number FAA -2023-2250. The Docket Folder is 
available on Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA -2023-
2250/document  and provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as 
comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov  by searching 
the Doc ket Number. WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit comments 
to the USA TBT Enquiry Point . Comments received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point from 
WTO Members and their s takeholders by 4pm Eastern Time  on 22 Janu ary 2024 will be 
shared with the regulator and will also be submitted to the Docket  on Regulations.gov if 
received within the comment period.  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  To be determined  
Proposed date of entry into force:  To be determined  
10. Final date for comments:  22 January 2024  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/TBT/USA/23_1371 1_00_e.pdf