Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements |
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R. Ryan Posten
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
December 19, 2014
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75859-75862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29680]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2014-0122]
Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of
information.
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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 nine Federal
motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSSs) and two regulations, for which
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval. The information collection pertains
to requirements that specify certain description, instructions and
safety precautions regarding items of motor vehicle equipment must
appear in the vehicle owner's manual.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 17, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to the docket number identified in
the heading of this document by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
You may call the Docket Management Facility at 202-366-9826.
Regardless of how you submit your comments, you should mention the
docket number of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for
collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Lou
Molino, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W43-311, NVS-112,
Washington, DC 20590.
Mr. Lou Molino's telephone number is (202) 366-1740. 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 (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;
(iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic,
[[Page 75860]]
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:
(1) Title: Consolidated Vehicle Owner's Manual Requirements for
Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment.
OMB Control Number: 2127-0541.
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.
Affected Public: Individuals, households, business, other for-
profit, not-for-profit, farms, Federal Government and state, local or
tribal government.
Abstract: 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 the following
FMVSS and regulations, specifying that certain safety precautions
regarding items of motor vehicle equipment appear in the vehicle
owner's manual to aid the agency in achieving many of its safety goals:
FMVSS No. 108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment,''
FMVSS No. 110, ``Tire selection and rims,'' FMVSS No. 138, ``Tire
Pressure Monitoring Systems,'' FMVSS No. 202a, ``Head restraints,''
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials,'' FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash
protection,'' FMVSS No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages,'' FMVSS
No. 226, ``Ejection mitigation,'' FMVSS No. 213, ``Child restraint
systems,'' Part 575 Section 103, ``Camper loading,'' and Part 575
Section 105, ``Utility vehicles.'' This notice requests comments on the
information collections of these FMVSSs and regulations.
Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the
information: In order to ensure that manufacturers are complying with
the FMVSS and regulations, NHTSA requires a number of information
collections in FMVSS Nos. 108, 110, 138, 202a, 205, 208, 210, 213 and
226, and Part 575 Sections 103 and 105.
FMVSS No. 108, ``Lamps, reflective devices, and associated
equipment.'' This standard requires that certain lamps and reflective
devices with certain performance levels be installed on motor vehicles
to assure that the roadway is properly illuminated, that vehicles can
be readily seen, and the signals can be transmitted to other drivers
sharing the road, during day, night and inclement weather. Since the
specific manner in which headlamp aim is to be performed is not
regulated (only the performance of the device is), aiming devices
manufactured or installed by different vehicle and headlamp
manufacturers may work in significantly different ways. As a
consequence, to assure that headlamps can be correctly aimed,
instructions for proper use must be part of the vehicle as a label, or
optionally, in the vehicle owner's manual.
FMVSS No. 110, ``Tire selection and rims.'' This standard specifies
requirements for tire selection to prevent tire overloading. The
vehicle's normal load and maximum load on the tire shall not be greater
than applicable specified limits. The standard requires a permanently
affixed vehicle placard specifying vehicle capacity weight, designated
seating capacity, manufacturer recommended cold tire inflation
pressure, and manufacturer's recommended tire size. The standard
further specifies rim construction requirements, load limits of non-
pneumatic spare tires, and labeling requirements for non-pneumatic
spare tires, including a required placard. Owner's manual information
is required for ``Use of Spare Tire.'' FMVSS No. 110 requires
additional owner's manual information on the revised vehicle placard
and tire information label, on revised tire labeling, and on tire
safety and load limits and terminology.
FMVSS No. 138, ``Tire pressure monitoring systems.'' This standard
specifies requirements for a tire pressure monitoring system to warn
the driver of an under-inflated tire condition. Its purpose is to
reduce the likelihood of a vehicle crash resulting from tire failure
due to operation in an under-inflated condition. The standard requires
the Owner's Manual to include specific information on the low pressure
warning telltale and the malfunction indicator telltale.
FMVSS No. 202a, ``Head restraints.'' This standard specifies
requirements for head restraints. The standard, which seeks to reduce
whiplash injuries in rear collisions, currently requires head
restraints for front outboard designated seating positions in passenger
cars and in light multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses. In
a final rule published on December 14, 2004 (69 FR 74880), the standard
requires that vehicle manufacturers include information in owner's
manuals for vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2008. The
owner's manual must clearly identify which seats are equipped with head
restraints. If the head restraints are removable, the owner's manual
must provide instructions on how to remove the head restraint by a
deliberate action distinct from any act necessary for adjustment, and
how to reinstall head restraints. The owner's manual must warn that all
head restraints must be reinstalled to properly protect vehicle
occupants. Finally, the owner's manual must describe, in an easily
understandable format, the adjustment of the head restraints and/or
seat back to achieve appropriate head restraint position relative to
the occupant's head.
FMVSS No. 205, ``Glazing materials.'' This standard specifies
requirement for all glazing material used in windshields, windows, and
interior partitions of motor vehicles. Its purpose is to reduce the
likelihood of lacerations and to minimize the possibility of occupants
penetrating the windshield in a crash. More detailed information
regarding the care and maintenance of such glazing items, as the glass-
plastic windshield, is required to be placed in the vehicle owner's
manual.
FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection.'' This standard
specifies requirements for both active and passive occupant crash
protection systems for passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles,
trucks and small buses. Certain safety features, such as air bags, or
the care and maintenance of air bag systems, are required to be
explained to the owner by means of the owner's manual. For example, the
owner's manual must describe the vehicle's air bag system and provide
precautionary information about the proper positioning of the
occupants, including children. The owner's manual must also warn that
no objects, such as shotguns carried in police cars, should be placed
over or near the air bag covers.
FMVSS No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages.'' This standard
specifies
[[Page 75861]]
requirements for seat belt assembly anchorages to ensure effective
occupant restraint and to reduce the likelihood of failure in a crash.
The standard requires that manufacturers place the following
information in the vehicle owner's manual: a. An explanation that child
restraints are designed to be secured by means of the vehicle's seat
belts, and b. A statement alerting vehicle owners that children are
always safer in the rear seat.
FMVSS No. 213, ``Child restraint systems.'' This standard specifies
requirements for child restraint systems and requires that
manufacturers provide consumers with detailed information relating to
child safety in air bag equipped vehicles. The vehicle owner's manual
must include information about the operation and do's and don'ts of
built-in child seats.
FMVSS No. 226, ``Ejection mitigation.'' This standard establishes
vehicle requirements intended to reduce the partial and complete
ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in crashes,
particularly rollover crashes. The standard applies to vehicles with a
gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less. Written information
must be provided with every vehicle describing any ejection mitigation
countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover and a discussion
of the readiness indicator specifying a list of the elements of the
system being monitored by the indicator, a discussion of the purpose
and location of the telltale, and instructions to the consumer on the
steps to take if the telltale is illuminated.
Part 575 Section 103, ``Camper loading.'' This regulation requires
manufacturers of slide-in campers to affix to each camper a label that
contains information relating to identification and proper loading of
the camper and to provide more detailed loading information in the
owner's manual. This regulation also requires manufacturers of trucks
that would accommodate slide-in campers to specify the cargo weight
ratings and the longitudinal limits within which the center of gravity
for the cargo weight rating should be located.
Part 575 Section 105, ``Vehicle rollover.'' This regulation
requires manufacturers of utility vehicles to alert the drivers of
those vehicles that they have a higher possibility of rollover than
other vehicle types and to advise them of steps that can be taken to
reduce the possibility of rollover and/or to reduce the likelihood of
injury in a rollover. A statement is provided in the regulation, which
manufacturers shall include, in its entirety or equivalent form, in the
Owner's Manual.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,724 hours.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 22.
Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public
Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this
document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change
to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided.
Comments are invited on:
Whether the proposed collections of information are 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.
Public Participation
How do I prepare and submit comments?
Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your
comments are correctly filed in the Docket, please include the docket
number of this document in your comments. Your comments must not be
more than 15 pages long.\1\ We established this limit to encourage you
to write your primary comments in a concise fashion. However, you may
attach necessary additional documents to your comments. There is no
limit on the length of the attachments.
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\1\ See 49 CFR 553.21.
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If you are submitting comments electronically as a PDF (Adobe)
file, we ask that the documents submitted be scanned using Optical
Character Recognition (OCR) process, thus allowing the agency to search
and copy certain portions of your submissions.\2\
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\2\ Optical character recognition (OCR) is the process of
converting an image of text, such as a scanned paper document or
electronic fax file, into computer-editable text.
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Please note that pursuant to the Data Quality Act, in order for
substantive data to be relied upon and used by the agency, it must meet
the information quality standards set forth in the OMB and DOT Data
Quality Act guidelines. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult the
guidelines in preparing your comments. OMB's guidelines may be accessed
at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/reproducible.html. DOT's
guidelines may be accessed at http://dmses.dot.gov/submit/DataQualityGuidelines.pdf.
How can I be sure that my comments were received?
If you submit your comments by mail and wish Docket Management to
notify you upon its receipt of your comments, enclose a self-addressed,
stamped postcard in the envelope containing your comments. Upon
receiving your comments, Docket Management will return the postcard by
mail.
How do I submit confidential business information?
If you wish to submit any information under a claim of
confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete
submission, including the information you claim to be confidential
business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given
above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. When you send a comment
containing information claimed to be confidential business information,
you should include a cover letter setting forth the information
specified in our confidential business information regulation.\3\
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\3\ See 49 CFR 512.
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In addition, you should submit a copy, from which you have deleted
the claimed confidential business information, to the Docket by one of
the methods set forth above.
Will the agency consider late comments?
We will consider all comments received before the close of business
on the comment closing date indicated above under DATES. To the extent
possible, we will also consider comments received after that date.
How can I read the comments submitted by other people?
You may read the materials placed in the docket for this document
(e.g., the comments submitted in response to this document by other
interested persons) at any time by going to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. You may also
read the materials at the Docket Management Facility by going to the
street address given above under ADDRESSES. The Docket Management
Facility is open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
[[Page 75862]]
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c); delegation of authority at 49 CFR
1.50.
R. Ryan Posten,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2014-29680 Filed 12-18-14; 8:45 am]
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