[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 54152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27596]



[[Page 54152]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 97-057-NO1]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

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

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections 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 new 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 reinstatements of previously approved 
collections.
    This document describes one collection of information for which 
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 16, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket and notice numbers cited 
at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Section, 
Room 5109, NHTSA, 400 Seventh St., SW., Washington, DC 20590. Please 
identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is 
provided by referencing its OMB Clearance Number. It is requested, but 
not required, that 1 original plus 2 copies of the comments be 
provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for 
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Edward 
Kosek, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, NHTSA, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Room 5111, Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Kosek's 
telephone number is (202) 366-2589. Please identify the relevant 
collection of information by referring to its OMB Clearance 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 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 regulations (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; and
    (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 public comment on 
the following proposed collection of information:

49 CFR Part 571.218, Motorcycle Helmets

    Type of Request--Extension of a currently approved clearance.
    OMB Clearance Number--2127-0518.
    Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of 
clearance.
    Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA has issued Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, Motorcycle Helmets, which 
establishes minimum performance requirements for helmets designed for 
use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users. Standard No. 218 
requires that each helmet shall be labeled permanently and legibly 
(S5.6), in a manner such that the label(s) can be read easily without 
removing padding or any other permanent part.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--NHTSA requires labeling information to ensure that helmet 
owners have important safety information. The information currently 
provided on the helmet from the labels includes the manufacturer's name 
or identification, model, size, month and year of manufacture, shell 
and liner construction of the helmet. The owners will also receive 
important information on caring for the helmet from the labels. 
Finally, the DOT symbol signifies the manufacturer's certification that 
the helmet meets all the requirements in the standard. Labeling is 
necessary for NHTSA to identify the helmet, particularly, if the helmet 
failed the compliance tests.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)--
NHTSA estimates that 24 manufacturers of motorcycle helmets offer their 
products for sale in the United States. The frequency of response to 
the collection of information depends on the number of helmets that 
each manufacturer sells.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--Currently, 24 
manufacturers produce, on the average, a total of approximately 
1,200,000 motorcycle helmets a year. NHTSA estimates that the total 
annual information collection burden on all manufacturers is 4,000 
hours. NHTSA estimates that annualized costs on all manufacturers is 
$480,000.

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

    2Dated: October 1, 1997.
L. Robert Shelton,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 97-27596 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P