E7-2555. Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Request for public comment on extension of a currently approved 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. 106, for which NHTSA intends to seek renewed OMB approval.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before April 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. The telephone number for the Docket Management System is [phone]. 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 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alternatively, you may submit your comments electronically by logging onto the Docket Management System Web site at http://dms.dot.gov Click on “Help and Information” or “Help/Info” to view instructions for filing your comments electronically. Regardless of how you submit your comments, refer to the docket number of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Jeff Woods, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, 400 Seventh Street, SW., DC 20590. Mr. Woods' telephone number is [phone]. His FAX number is [phone]. Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to the OMB Control Number, 2127-0052.

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:

(1) 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;

(2) 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;

(3) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(4) 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: Brake Hose Manufacturing Identification, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 106.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0052.

Type of Request: Request for public comment on extension of a currently approved collection of information.

Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 30101 et seq., as amended (“the Safety Act”), authorizes NHTSA to issue Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The Safety Act mandates that in issuing any Federal motor vehicle safety standards, the agency is to consider whether the standard is reasonable and appropriate for the particular type of motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is prescribed. Using this authority, FMVSS No. 106, Brake Hoses, was issued. This standard specifies labeling and performance requirements for all motor vehicle brake hose assemblers, brake hose and brake hose end fittings manufacturers for automotive vehicles. Prior to selling brake hoses, these entities must register their identification marks with NHTSA to comply with the labeling requirements of this standard. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the agency must obtain OMB approval to continue collecting labeling information.

Currently, there are 1,612 manufacturers of hoses and assemblies registered with NHTSA. However, only approximately 20 respondents annually request to have their symbol added to or removed from the NHTSA database. To comply with this standard, each brake hose manufacturer or assembler must contact NHTSA and state that they want to be added to or removed from the NHTSA database of registered brake hose manufacturers. This action is usually initiated by the manufacturer with a brief written request via U.S. mail, facsimile, an e-mail message, or a telephone call. Currently, a majority of the requests are received via U.S. mail and the follow-up paperwork is conducted via facsimile, U.S. mail, or electronic mail. The estimated cost for complying with this regulation is $100 per hour. Therefore, the total annual cost is estimated to be $3,000 (time burden of 30 hours × $100 cost per hour).

Affected Public: Business or other for profit.

Estimated Annual Burden: 30 hours.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.

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: February 9, 2007.

Stephen R. Kratzke,

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.