National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance
REGISTERED IMPORTER NEWSLETTER No. 6
April 3, 1995
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REGISTERED IMPORTER OBLIGATIONS It has come to our attention that many registered importers (RIs) are not complying with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 30146 (a)(1) (formerly 15 U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(E)(I) and 49 CFR 592.8(e). The latter section provides that (e) If a Registered Importer has received no written notice from the Administrator by the end of the 30th calendar day after it has furnished a certification to the Administrator, the RI may release from custody the vehicle that is covered by the certification, or have it licensed or registered for use on the public roads. We would be pleased to discuss this matter with your company, and to work with you to achieve compliance in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, For example, OVSC will soon explore the possibility to receive electronic filing from RIs, thus expediting the review cycle for potential release. While we are exploring alternative means of filing the necessary certification with the agency, we are also planning to expedite our review process which will result in faster release times. Site visits made by OVSC personnel to various RIs in the last several months indicate that many RIs are not holding the imported vehicles the required 30 days or complying with other requirements. We seek cooperation with RIs in achieving compliance with Part 592. However, compliance is not optional under the law. A company's failure to comply can result in the imposition of civil penalties of not more than $1,000 for each violation up to a maximum penalty of $800,000 for a related series of violations. Moreover, under certain circumstances, a company's registration can be revoked or suspended. Therefore, it is very important that all RIs understand the requirements and how to comply with them. If you have any questions about compliance with Part 592, please telephone Roy Shannon of my staff at 202-366-5307. SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION Registered Importers should be aware that the total number of vehicles they import during the time frames indicated below apply against them and not just the vehicles they import manufactured during those time frames. In other words, we will be asking for confirmation that 25% of the vehicles imported between Sept 1, 1994 and September 1, 1995 comply with FMVSS 214. Phase-in of DYNAMIC test and performance requirements for passenger cars - 10% of passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1993 and before September 1, 1994 25% of passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1994 and before September 1, 1995 40% of passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1995 and before September 1, 1996] 100% of passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1996 Lamborghini passenger cars imported before September 1, 1996 do not have to the meet DYNAMIC Side Impact Protection requirements of FMVSS 214. Phase-in of STATIC requirements for multipurpose vehicles, trucks and buses with GVWR of 10,000 lb. or less - 90% on or after September 1, 1993 and before September 1, 1994 100% on or after September 1, 1994 CODE OF FEDERAL A new Code of Federal Regulations (49CFR) is available for $35 from the Superintendent of Documents by calling 202-512-1800. THEFT MARKING Please review Part 541 - Theft Prevention Standard. We will reject all packages on passenger cars that require theft marking unless confirmation is received that the VIN has been inscribed on the required parts prior to importation. Please review the requirements of the standard. This will apply to MPV's and light trucks beginning with MY 1997. RECALLS Registered importers must meet the defect and notification requirements of Part 577 and the reporting requirements of Part 573. REFERENCE INFORMATION 101- Controls and Displays (Inspection) 102- Transmission Shift Lever Sequences, etc. (Inspection) 103- Windshield Defrosting and Defogging 104- Windshield Wiping and Washing 105- Hydraulic Brake System 106- Brake Hoses 107- Reflecting Surfaces (Inspection) 108- Lamps, Reflective Devices, etc. 109- Pass. Car New Pneumatic Tires 110- Pass. Car Tire Selection/Rims |
111- Rearview Mirrors
112- Headlamp Concealment Devices (Inspection) 113- Hood Latch Systems (Inspection) 114- Theft Protection (Inspection) 115- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (Inspection) 116- Hydraulic Brake Fluids 117- Retreaded Pneumatic Tires (Inspection) 118- Power-Operated Window Systems 119- Truck/Bus New Pneumatic Tires 120- Truck/Bus Tire Selection & Rims 121- Air Brake Systems 122- Motorcycle Brake Systems 123- Motorcycle Controls and Displays (Inspection) 124- Accelerator Control Systems 125- Warning Devices 126- Truck-Camper Loading 129- Pass. Car New Non-Pneumatic Tires 131- School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices 135- Passenger Car Brake Systems 201- Occupant Protection in Interior Impact 202- Head Restraints 203- Impact Protection for the Driver from Steering Control 204- Steering Control Rearward Displacement 205- Glazing Materials (Inspection) 206- Door Locks and Door Retention Components 207- Seating Systems 208- Occupant Crash Protection 209- Seat Belt Assemblies 210- Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages 211- Wheel Nuts, Wheel Discs, and Hub Caps (Inspection) 212- Windshield Mounting 213- Child Restraint Systems 214- Side Impact Protection 216- Roof Crush Resistance 217- Bus Window Retention and Release 218- Motorcycle Helmets 219- Windshield Zone Intrusion 220- School Bus Rollover Protection 221- School Bus Body Joint Strength 222- School Bus Passenger Seating 301- Fuel System Integrity 302- Flammability of Interior Materials 303- Fuel System Integrity of CNG Vehicles 304- CNG Fuel Container Integrity REGULATIONS P541- Theft Prevention Standard P544- Insurer Reporting Requirements P555- Temporary Exemption from Motor Veh Safety Standards P565- VIN Content Requirements P566- Manufacturer Identification P567- Certification Regulation P568- Vehicles Manufactured in Two or More Stages P569- Regrooved Tires P572- Anthropomorphic Test Dummies P573- Defect and Noncompliance Reports P574- Tire Identification P575.103- Truck-Camper Loading P575.104- Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQG) P577- Defect and Noncompliance Notification P579- Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility P581- Bumper Standard All questions concerning this newsletter should be directed to George Entwistle, 202-366-5306. |