[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 67 (Monday, April 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17598-17605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6523]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2007-27802]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

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

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from 
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit 
public comment on proposed collections of information, including 
extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections.
    This document proposes to consolidate four existing collections of 
information into two collections, and seeks comments accordingly. The 
first information collection proposes consolidatation of OMB control 
numbers 2127-0511, ``49 CFR 571.213, Child Restraint Systems,'' and 
2127-0576, ``Child Safety Seat Registration,'' into a new one. Thus, 
all child restraint labeling and registration requirements would be 
included in one information collection entitled ``Consolidated Child 
Restraint System Registration, Labeling and Defect Notifications'' (OMB 
Control Number: 2127-0576).
    The second information collection proposes to merge the existing 
OMB control number 2127-0038, ``49 CFR 571.205, Glazing Materials,'' 
into 2127-0512, ``Consolidated Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles 
(except the VIN).''

DATES: You should submit your comments early enough to ensure that 
Docket Management receives them no later than June 8, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments [identified by DOT DMS Docket Number 
NHTSA-2007-27802] by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Web site:http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
    <bullet> Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0003.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number for this collection. It is requested, but not required, 
that two copies of the comments be provided. Note that all comments 
received will be posted without change to http://dms.dot.gov, including 
any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading 
under Regulatory Notices.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or to Room PL-
401 on the plaza level of the Nassif

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Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Maurice 
Hicks, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-113, Washington, 
DC 20590.
    Mr. Hicks' telephone number is (202) 366-6345. Please identify the 
relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control 
Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register 
providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of 
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of 
information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must 
be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
    (iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public 
comments on the following proposed collections of information:
    (1.) Title: Consolidated Child Restraint System Registration, 
Labeling and Defect Notifications.''
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0576.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the 
approval date.
    Type of Request: Consolidation of OMB control numbers 2127-0511, 
``49 CFR 571.213, Child Restraint Systems,'' and 2127-0576, ``Child 
Safety Seat Registration.''
    Affected Public: Business, Individuals and Households.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: This action consolidates 
two existing collections of information. In the previous collections of 
information: (1) A collection was established to require manufacturers 
to provide owner registration cards and to label each child restraint 
system (CRS) with a message informing users of the importance of 
registering the device with the manufacturer, and (2) another 
collection was issued to allow NHTSA to implement a registration 
program to send CRS owners a substitute registration form if owners had 
lost the registration card. Furthermore, in the second collection, it 
was also required that if either NHTSA or a manufacturer determines 
that a CRS contains a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety or 
fails to comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard, pursuant to Chapter 301 of title 49 of the United States, the 
manufacturer must notify owners and purchasers of the defect or 
noncompliance and must provide a remedy without charge. The proposed 
revised collection will consolidate these provisions.
    Child restraint manufacturers are required to provide an owner's 
registration card for purchasers of child safety seats in accordance 
with title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), part 571-section 
213, ``Child Restraint Systems.'' The registration card is perforated 
into two-parts (see Figures 1 and 2). The top part contains a message 
and suitable instructions to be retained by the purchaser. The bottom 
part is to be returned to the manufacturer by the purchaser. The bottom 
part includes prepaid return postage, the pre-printed name/address of 
the manufacturer, the pre-printed model and date of manufacture, and 
spaces for the purchaser to fill in his/her name and address. 
Optionally, child restraint manufacturers are permitted to add to the 
registration form: (a) Specified statements informing CRS owners that 
they may register online; (b) the Internet address for registering with 
the company; (c) revisions to statements reflecting use of the Internet 
to register; and (d) a space for the consumer's e-mail address. For 
those CRS owners with access to the Internet, online registration may 
be a preferred method of registering a CRS.
    In addition to the registration card supplied by the manufacturer, 
NHTSA has implemented a CRS registration system to assist those 
individuals who have either lost the registration card that came with 
the CRS or purchased a previously owned CRS. Upon the owner's request, 
NHTSA provides a substitute registration form that can be obtained 
either by mail or from the Internet \1\ (see Figure 3). When the 
completed registration is returned to the agency, it is then submitted 
to the CRS manufacturers. In the absence of a substitute registration 
system, many owners of child passenger safety seats, especially any 
second-hand owners, might not be notified of safety defects and 
noncompliances, and would not have the defects and noncompliances 
remedied.
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    \1\ http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Vehicle%20Safety/Articles/Associated%20Files/csregfrm.pdf.
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    Child seat owner registration information is retained in the event 
that owners need to be contacted for defect recalls or replacement 
campaigns. Chapter 301 of title 49 of the United States Code specifies 
that if either NHTSA or a manufacturer determines that motor vehicles 
or items of motor vehicle equipment contain a defect that relates to 
motor vehicle safety or fail to comply with an applicable Federal Motor 
Vehicle Safety Standard, the manufacturer must notify owners and 
purchasers of the defect or noncompliance and must provide a remedy 
without charge. In title 49 of the CFR, part 577, defect and 
noncompliance notification for equipment items, including child 
restraint systems, must be sent by first class mail to the most recent 
purchaser known to the manufacturer.
    Child restraint manufacturers are also required to provide a 
printed instructions brochure with step-by-step information on how the 
restraint is to be used. Without proper use, the effectiveness of these 
systems is greatly diminished. Each child restraint system must also 
have a permanent label. A permanently attached label gives 
``quicklook'' information on whether the restraint meets the safety 
requirements, recommended installation and use, and warnings against 
misuse.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 265,500 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 15.
    The total burden hours for this collection consist of: (1) The 
administrative hours spent to produce registration cards and labels, 
(2) the hours spent collecting registration information, and (3) the 
hours spent by CRS manufacturers to create and keep records.
    Currently, approximately 15 CRS manufacturers produce,[ras1] on 
average, a total of approximately 4,500,000 child restraints each year. 
[ras2] NHTSA has determined that

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approximately 1,575,000 owners or purchasers register (i.e., either by 
registration card, NHTSA registration form or by the Internet) their 
child seats with the CRS manufacturers each year (an estimated 35 
percent return rate x 4,500,000 restraints).
    For each child restraint system, a CRS manufactures must spend 
0.025 hours to cut/print, label and to attach a registration card. A 
manufacturer must also spend 0.04 hours to collect the information for 
each returned registration and then spend a total of 0.02 hours to 
create and keep a record on each child restraint system. Given these 
estimates, the estimated total annual burden hours for this collection 
of information are 265,500 hours. This number reflects the combination 
of 112,500 hours to produce materials (0.025 hours per seat x 4,500,000 
child restraints), 63,000 hours to collect registrations (0.04 hours 
per seat x 1,575,000 registrations) and 90,000 hours to create and keep 
records (0.02 hours per seat x 4,500,000 child restraints) each year.
    (2) Title: Consolidated Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles 
(Except the VIN).
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0512.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the 
approval date.
    Type of Request: Consolidation of OMB control numbers 2127-0038, 
``49 CFR 571.205, Glazing Materials,'' and 2127-0512, ``Consolidated 
Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles (except the VIN).''
    Affected Public: Business.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: Because of the 
similarities in the collections of information, NHTSA seeks to combine 
the provisions of the existing collection for glazing materials 
labeling into a collection for labeling information for five other 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
    49 U.S.C. 30111 authorizes the issuance of Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards (FMVSS) and regulations. The agency, in prescribing a 
FMVSS or regulation, considers available relevant motor vehicle safety 
data, and consults with other agencies, as it deems appropriate. 
Further, the statute mandates that in issuing any FMVSS or regulation, 
the agency considers whether the standard or regulation is 
''reasonable, practicable and appropriate for the particular type of 
motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is 
prescribed,'' and whether such a standard will contribute to carrying 
out the purpose of the Act. The Secretary is authorized to invoke such 
rules and regulations as deemed necessary to carry out these 
requirements. Using this authority, the agency issued the following 
FMVSS and regulations, specifying labeling requirements to aid the 
agency in achieving many of its safety goals:

FMVSS No. 105, ``Hydraulic and electric brake systems,''
FMVSS No. 135, ``Passenger car brake systems,''
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials,''
FMVSS No. 209, ``Seat belt assemblies,''
Part 567, ``Certification.''

    This notice requests comments on the labeling requirements of these 
FMVSS and regulations.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the 
information: In order to ensure that manufacturers are complying with 
the FMVSS and regulations, NHTSA requires a number of specific labeling 
requirements in FMVSS Nos. 105, 135, 205, 209 and part 567. FMVSS No. 
105, ''Hydraulic and electric brake systems'' and FMVSS No. 135, 
''Passenger car brake systems,'' require that each vehicle shall have a 
brake fluid warning statement in letters at least one-eighth of a inch 
high on the master cylinder reservoirs and located so as to be visible 
by direct view.
    Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205, ''Glazing 
materials,'' provides labeling requirements for glazing and motor 
vehicle manufacturers. In accordance with the standard, NHTSA requires 
each new motor vehicle glazing manufacturer to request and be assigned 
a unique mark or number. This number is then used by the manufacturer 
as their unique company identification on their self-certification 
label on each piece of motor vehicle glazing. As part of that 
certification label, the company must identify itself with the simple 
two or three digit number assigned by the agency. FMVSS No. 205 
requires that manufacturers mark their automotive glazing with certain 
label information including:

Manufacturer's distinctive trademark;
Manufacturer's ''DOT'' code number;
Model of glazing (there are currently 21 items of glazing ranging from 
plastic windows to bullet resistant windshields).

    In addition to these requirements, which apply to all glazings, 
certain specialty items such as standee windows in buses, roof 
openings, and interior partitions made of plastic require that the 
manufacturer affix a removable label to each item. The label specifies 
cleaning instructions to minimize the loss of transparency. Other 
information may be provided by the manufacturer but is not required.
    FMVSS No. 209, ''Seat belt assemblies,'' requires safety belts to 
be labeled with the year of manufacture, the model, and the name or 
trademark of the manufacturer (S4.1(j)).
    Additionally, replacement safety belts that are for use only in 
specifically stated motor vehicles must have labels or accompanying 
instruction sheets to specify the applicable vehicle models and seating 
positions (S4.1(k)). All other replacement belts are required to be 
accompanied by an installation instruction sheet (S4.1(k)). Seat belt 
assemblies installed as original equipment in new motor vehicles need 
not be labeled with position/model information.
    Part 567, ``Certification,'' responds to 49 U.S.C. 30111 that 
requires each manufacturer or distributor of motor vehicles to furnish 
to the dealer or distributor of the vehicle a certification that the 
vehicle meets all applicable FMVSS. This certification is required by 
that provision to be in the form of a label permanently affixed to the 
vehicle.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 32504, vehicle manufacturers are directed to make a 
similar certification with regard to bumper standards. To implement 
this requirement, NHTSA issued 49 CFR part 567. The agency's 
regulations establish form and content requirements for the 
certification labels.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information): 
NHTSA anticipates that approximately 21 new prime glazing manufacturers 
per year will contact the agency and request a manufacturer 
identification number. These new glazing manufacturers must submit one 
letter, one time, identifying their company. In turn, the agency 
responds by assigning them a unique manufacturer number. For other 
collections in this notice, no response is necessary from 
manufacturers. These labels are only required to be placed on each 
master cylinder reservoir, each safety belt and every motor vehicle 
intended for retail sale in the United States. Therefore, the number of 
respondents is not applicable.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information: Based upon previous 
notice and comments for those information collections, NHTSA estimates 
that all manufacturers will need a total of 73,071 hours to comply with 
these requirements, at a total annual cost of $1,096,065.

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    Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collections of 
information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the Department, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

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

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2007.
Roger A. Saul,
Director, Crashworthiness Standards.
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 [FR Doc. E7-6523 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-C