NHTSA TO HOLD LISTENING SESSION BEFORE IMPLEMENTING AGREEMENT ON GLOBAL TECHNICAL REGULATIONS |
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NHTSA
January 28, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 03-99
January 28, 1999
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550
Safety and Environment
NHTSA TO HOLD LISTENING SESSION BEFORE IMPLEMENTING AGREEMENT ON GLOBAL TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will hold a listening session Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 1999 on a draft statement of policy concerning agency priorities and public participation in implementing an international agreement that would make it possible to develop global regulations for the safety and environmental performance of motor vehicles and equipment. "Safety is President Clinton's highest transportation priority," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said. "Our work on such an unprecedented policy will bring America's leadership to the global marketplace with improved vehicle safety, clean air and the continuation of manufacturing exports as a key engine of America's sustained economic expansion."
The policy statement would go into effect when a sufficient number of parties have signed the 1998 Agreement on Global Technical Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts of the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe.
The statement also includes activities and practices for promoting public participation--for example, including grassroots and industry representatives as advisers in NHTSA delegations to international working groups.
"Last year we signed an agreement that allows us to obtain the best motor vehicle safety practices worldwide for the American people," said Dr. Ricardo Martinez, NHTSA administrator. "And by listening to different perspectives during this session, we will learn the best way to implement the agreement."
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which, together with NHTSA, negotiated the agreement for the U.S., will participate in the listening session.
The listening session will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in rooms 6200-6204 of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, D.C. Written comments are also welcome; they should be submitted in two copies to Docket No. NHTSA-98-4956, Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590.