. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/N/USA/487 
4 September 2009  
 (09-4202) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION 
 
The following notification is being circ ulated in accordance with Article 10.6 
 
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  UNITED STATES
  
If applicable, name of local governme nt involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):     
2. Agency responsible:  National Highway Traffic Safety  Administration (NHTSA) (503) 
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 :    
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X ], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:   
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. 
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):   
Motor vehicles (HS 8703)  (ICS 43.040.01 , 43.040.65, 43.120, 43.100, 13.110,  13.120) 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:   
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Powe r-Operated Window, Parti tion, and Roof Panel 
Systems  (16 pages, in English)   
6. Description of content:   
The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Sa fety Act of 2007 (the K.T. Safety Act of 
2007) directs NHTSA to consider amending the Fe deral motor vehicle sa fety standard aimed 
at minimizing the likelihood of death or in jury from the accidental operation of power 
window systems. The amendment would requ ire power windows and panels on  motor 
vehicles to automatically reve rse direction when such power windows and panels detect an 
obstruction to prevent children and others from be ing trapped, injured, or killed. In the event 
that NHTSA chooses not to require power windows and pa nels on motor vehicles to 
automatically reverse direction when such powe r windows and panels de tect an obstruction, 
the Act requires that the agency  submit a report to Congress describing why such standards 
were not prescribed and publish a list of vehi cles that are or are not equipped with power 
windows and panels that automatically reverse di rection when an obstruction is detected.  In 
this document, NHTSA summarizes its most recent rulemakings re lated to power window 
hazards and the types of injuries and fatalities  they were aimed at mitigating; discusses its 
current assessment of the number and causes of the remaining deaths a nd injuries related to 
power windows; and analyzes the means of miti gating those remaining injuries and fatalities. 
While the agency analyzed and considered the benefits of installing automatic reversal 
systems in all types of vehicle windows, incl uding front and rear main windows, sunroofs, 
and small vent windows, NHTSA is proposing to require automatic reversal systems on G/TBT/N/USA/487 
Page 2  
 
  express-up or one-touch closi ng windows, i.e., those windows that close without continuous 
actuation of the window switch by the window operator. We believe that this is an efficient, targeted rule that would close this gap in our  power window safety requi rements. We are also 
seeking comments on a broader requirement fo r automatic reversal systems, and could 
include such a requirement in a final rule. A dditionally, we will be providing consumers with 
information regarding which ve hicles are equipped with automatic reversal systems at 
http://www.safercar.gov
 by October 2009.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:  
Protection of human life  
8. Relevant documents:   74 Federal Register (FR) 45143  1 September 2009 Title 49 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR ) Part 571. Will appear in the Fe deral Register when adopted.   
9. Proposed date of adoption:   
Proposed date of entry into force:   }   To be determined 
10. Final date for comments:  2 November 2009 
11. Text available from: National enquiry po int [ X], or address, telephone and fax 
numbers, e-mail and web-site addres ses, if available of the other body:    
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-21042.htm  
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21042.pdf