[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]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
