E6-1818. 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:

This notice solicits public comments on continuation of the requirements for the collection of information on safety standards. 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 a collection of information on the advanced air bag phase-in requirements of the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on occupant protection for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 11, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

Comments must refer to the docket notice number cited at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. It is requested, but not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Complete copies of each request for collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Ms. Lori Summers, NHTSA 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NVS-112, Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Summers' telephone number is [phone]. Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to this Docket Number (Docket Number NHTSA-04-17997).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before a proposed collection of information is submitted to OMB for approval, Federal agencies 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; 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 for public comments on the following proposed collections of information:

Title: Part 585—Advanced Air Bag Phase-In Reporting Requirements.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0599.

Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard form.

Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from the approval date.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Summary of the Collection of Information: 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 FMVSS No. 208, “Occupant crash protection,” to aid the agency in achieving many of its safety goals. This notice requests comments on the extension of the phase-in reporting requirements of this FMVSS related to the implementation of advanced air bags. Phase 1 of the advanced air bag phase-in began September 1, 2003 with 100 percent compliance by September 1, 2005. Phase 2 of the advanced air bag phase-in begins September 1, 2006 with 100 percent compliance by September 1, 2009.

Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the Information: NHTSA needs this information to ensure that vehicle manufacturers are certifying their applicable vehicles as meeting the new advanced air bag requirements of FMVSS No. 208. NHTSA will use this information to determine whether a manufacturer has complied with the amended requirements during the phase-in period.

Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information): NHTSA estimates that 21 vehicle manufacturers will submit the required information. For each report, the manufacturer will provide, in addition to its identity, several numerical items of information. The information includes, but is not limited to, the following items:

(a) Total number of vehicles manufactured for sale during the preceding production year,

(b) Total number of vehicles manufactured during the production year that meet the regulatory requirements, and

(c) Information identifying the vehicles (by make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN)) that have been certified as complying with the requirements.

Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Record Keeping Burden Resulting from the Collection of Information: NHTSA estimates that it will annually take each of the 21 affected manufacturers an average of 61 hours to comply with these requirements. Using a cost estimate of $35 per hour, this results in a total annual cost of $44,835 (21 manufacturers × 61 hours per manufacturer × $35 per hour).

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

Issued on: February 6, 2006.

Stephen R. Kratzke,

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.