2011-6478. Reports, Forms and Record Keeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on January 3, 2011 (76 FR 210).

This document describes a collection of labeling information on five Federal motor vehicle safety standards for which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) seeks OMB approval. The labeling requirements include brake fluid warning, glazing labeling, safety belt labeling, and vehicle certification labeling.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before April 20, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mrs. Lori Summers, U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA, Room W43-320, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Mrs. Summer's telephone number is [phone] and fax number is [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Title: Consolidated Labeling Requirements for Motor Vehicles (except the VIN).

OMB Control Number: 2127-0512.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: In order to ensure that manufacturers are complying with the FMVSS and regulations, NHTSA requires a number of information collections in FMVSS Nos. 105, 135, 205, 209 and part 567.

FMVSS No. 105, “Hydraulic and electric brake systems” and FMVSS No. 135, “Light vehicle brake systems,” require that each vehicle shall have a brake fluid warning statement in letters at least one-eighth of an inch high on the master cylinder reservoirs and located so as to be visible by direct view.

FMVSS No. 205, “Glazing materials,” provides labeling requirements for glazing and motor vehicle manufacturers. In accordance with the standard, NHTSA requires each new motor vehicle glazing manufacturer to request and be assigned a unique mark or number. This number is then used by the manufacturer as their unique company identification on their self-certification label on each piece of motor vehicle glazing. As part of that certification label, the company must identify with the simple two or three digit number assigned by the agency and the model of the glazing. In addition to these requirements, which apply to all glazing, certain specialty glazing items, such as standee windows in buses, roof openings, and interior partitions made of plastic require that the manufacturer affix a removable label to each item. The label specifies cleaning instructions, which will minimize the loss of transparency. Other information may be provided by the manufacturer but is not required.

FMVSS No. 209, “Seat belt assemblies,” requires safety belts to be labeled with the year of manufacture, the model, and the name or trademark of the manufacturer (S4.1(j)). Additionally replacement safety belts that are for use only in specifically stated motor vehicles must have labels or accompanying instruction sheets to specify the applicable vehicle models and seating positions (S4.1(k)). All other replacement belts are required to be accompanied by an installation instruction sheet (S4.1(k)).

Seat belt assemblies installed as original equipment in new motor vehicles need not be required to be labeled with position/model information. This information is only useful if the assembly is removed with the intention of using the assembly as a replacement in another vehicle; this is not a common practice.

Part 567, “Certification,” requires each manufacturer or distributor of motor vehicles to furnish to the dealer, or distributor of the vehicle, a certification that the vehicle meets all applicable FMVSS. This certification is required by that provision to be in the form of a label permanently affixed to the vehicle. Under 49 U.S.C. 32504, vehicle manufacturers are directed to make a similar certification with regard to bumper standards. To implement this requirement, NHTSA issued 49 CFR part 567. The agency's regulations establish form and content requirements for the certification labels.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 74,096 hours.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, within 30 days, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention NHTSA Desk Officer.

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. A Comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 350(c); delegation of Authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

Issued on: March 11, 2011.

Lori K. Summers,

Acting Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.