03-26091. Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Request for public comment on proposed collection of information.

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 describes an existing collection of information for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213, “Child restraint systems,” for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES:

You should submit your comments early enough to ensure that Docket Management receives them not later than December 15, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments [identified by DOT DMS Docket Number NHTSA -2003-16162] by any of the following methods:

• Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0003.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
• 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 Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 am and 5 pm, 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. Michael Huntley, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-113, Washington, DC 20590.

Mr. Huntley's telephone number is [phone]. 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 collection of information:

Title: 49 CFR 571.213, “Child Restraint Systems”.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0511.

Affected Public: Business.

Abstract: Manufacturers are required to provide owner registration cards and to label each child restraint system with a message informing users of the importance of registering the restraint with the manufacturer. The owner registration information is then retained in the event that owners need to be contacted for recall or replacement campaigns. The manufacturer is 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 quick-look information on whether the restraint meets the safety requirements, recommended installation and use, and warnings against misuse.

Estimated Annual Burden: 90,000 hours.

Number of Respondents: 15.

Currently, approximately 15 manufacturers produce, on average, a total of approximately 4,500,000 child restraints per year. The agency estimates that manufacturers use a total of 0.02 hours per response. The estimated annual burden hour is 90,000 hours. This number reflects the total responses (4,500,000) times the total hours per response (0.02). Prior years' information indicates that it takes an average of $20.00 per hour for professional/clerical personnel to collect the information for Standard No. 213. Therefore, the agency estimates that the cost associated with the burden hours is $1,800,000 ($20.00 per hour x 90,000 burden hours).

Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collection of information is 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.

Issued on October 9, 2003.

Stephen R. Kratzke,

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.