05-8068. Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Federal Register notice; request for public comment on a 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. This document describes an existing collection of information previously approved by OMB. The authority to collect the information is expiring and NHTSA is seeking OMB approval to extend the collection of information for another three years.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before June 21, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Comments must refer to the docket number cited at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to the DOT Public Docket Office, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Please identify the proposed collection of information for which comments are provided by referencing its OMB control number. It is requested, but not required, that one original plus two copies of the comment be provided. The Docket Office is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except government holidays. For further information or to find out how to submit comments electronically call [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William D. Evans, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards at [phone]. Mr. Evans' FAX number is [phone] and you may send mail to him at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NVS-123), 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. 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 (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.

The information collection described below has been in effect since December 31, 2002 and expires December 31, 2005. OMB requires this process in order to extend the information collection for another three years. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public comments on the following proposed collection of information for which the agency is seeking extension of approval from OMB:

Title: 49 CFR 571.403, Platform lift systems for motor vehicles and 49 CFR 571.404, Platform lift installations in motor vehicles.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0621.

Form Number: None.

Affected Public: Platform lift manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers/alterers that install platform lifts in new motor vehicles before first vehicle sale.

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

Abstract: FMVSS No. 403, Platform lift systems for motor vehicles, establishes minimum performance standards for platform lifts designed for installation on motor vehicles. Its purpose is to prevent injuries and fatalities to passengers and bystanders during the operation of platform lifts that assist persons with limited mobility in entering and leaving a vehicle. FMVSS No. 404, Platform lift installations in motor vehicles, places specific requirements on vehicle manufacturers or alterers who install platform lifts in new vehicles. Under these regulations, lift manufacturers must certify that their lifts meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 403 and must declare the certification on the owner's manual insert, the installation instructions and the lift operating instruction label. Certification of compliance with FMVSS No. 404 is on the certification label already required of vehicle manufacturers and alterers under 49 CFR Part 567. Therefore, lift manufacturers must produce an insert that is placed in the vehicle owner's manual, installation instructions and one or two labels that are placed near the controls of the lift. The requirements and our estimates of the hour burden and cost to lift manufacturers are given below. There is no burden to the general public.

• Estimated burden to lift manufacturers to produce an insert for the vehicle owner's manual stating the lift's platform operating volume, maintenance schedule, and instructions regarding the lift operating procedures:

—10 manufacturers × 24 hrs. amortized over 5 yrs. = 48 hrs. per year.

• Estimated burden to lift manufacturers to produce lift installation instructions identifying the vehicles on which the lift is designed to be installed:

—10 manufacturers × 24 hrs. amortized over 5 yrs. = 48 hrs. per year.

• Estimated burden to lift manufacturers to produce two labels for operating and backup lift operation:

—10 manufacturers × 24 hrs. amortized over 5 yrs. = 48 hrs. per year.

• Total estimated hour burden per year = 144 hours.
• Estimated cost to lift manufacturers to produce:

—Label for operating instructions—27,398 lifts × $0.13 per label = $3,561.74.

—Label for backup operations—27,398 lifts × $0.13 per label = $3,561.74.

—Owner's manual insert—27,398 lifts × $0.04 per page × 1 page = $1,095.92.

—Installation instructions—27,398 lifts × $0.04 per page × 1 page = $1,095.92.

Note:

Although lift installation instructions are considerably more than one page, lift manufacturers already provide lift installation instructions in the normal course of business and one additional page should be adequate to allow for the inclusion of FMVSS specific information.

• Total estimated annual cost = $9,315.32.

Issued on: April 18, 2005.

Stephen R. Kratzke,

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.