Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. 96-073; No. 1]

Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collections of

information.

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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 new 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 reinstatements of previously approved

collections.

This document describes four collections of information for which

NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 10, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket and notice numbers cited

at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Section,

Room 5109, NHTSA, 400 Seventh St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Please

identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is

provided, by referencing its OMB Clearance Number. It is requested, but

not required, that 1 original plus 2 copies of the comments be

provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4

p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for

collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. Ed

Kosek, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, NHTSA, 400

Seventh Street, S.W., Room 6123, Washington, D.C. 20590. Mr. Kosek's

telephone number is (202) 366-2589. Please identify the relevant

collection of information by referring to its OMB Clearance 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 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 regulations (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; and

(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.

In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks public comment on

the following four proposed collections of information:

Production System for Mandatory Installation of Air Bags In All

Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

Type of Request--Reinstatement of clearance.

OMB Clearance Number--2127-0535.

Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.

Requested Expiration Date of Approval--September 1, 1998.

Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA must ensure that

motor vehicle manufacturers comply with a new provision in the 1991

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act requiring that 95

percent of all new passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1,

1996 but before September 1, 1997 shall be equipped with inflatable

restraints accompanied by lap/shoulder safety belts for both front

outboard seating positions, and 100 percent thereafter. Similarly, 80

percent of all new light trucks, small buses, and multipurpose

passenger vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 1997 but

before September 1, 1998 shall be so equipped, and 100 percent

thereafter.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use of the

information--In order to ensure manufacturers are complying with the

1991 statute, NHTSA needs reports from manufacturers of new passenger

cars and new light trucks, small buses, and multipurpose passenger

vehicles. For each report, the manufacturer will provide (in addition

to administrative necessities such as identity, address) numerical

information from which NHTSA will be able to determine whether a

manufacturer complies with the percentage phase-in requirements. The

required numerical information will include the total number of each

vehicle type manufactured during the production year that are equipped

with air bags, and the total number of each vehicle type produced.

Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number,

and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information--

NHTSA anticipates that no more than 23 vehicle manufacturers will be

affected by the reporting requirements. NHTSA does not believe any of

these 23 manufacturers is a small business (i.e., one that employs less

than 500 persons) since each manufacturer employs more than 500

persons. Manufacturers of passenger cars must file one report.

Similarly, manufacturers of light trucks, small buses, and multipurpose

passenger vehicles must file one report.

Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden

Resulting from the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that each

manufacturer will need 24 hours to prepare a report, at a cost of

$30.00 per hour. Thus, the number of estimated reporting burden hours a

year on manufacturers (23 manufacturers multiplied by 1 report

multiplied by 24 hours for each report) is 552, at a cost of $16,560

for each report that they must submit.

NHTSA estimates that each manufacturer will incur 12 burden hours a

year in recording and keeping the information. Thus, the total

recordkeeping burden on the manufacturers (23 manufacturers multiplied

by 1 report multiplied by 12 hours) is 276 hours. Assuming a cost of

$30.00 an hour, the total recordkeeping cost per manufacturer per year

is $8,280.00 for each report that they must submit.

49 CFR Section 551.45--Designation of Agent

Type of Request--Reinstatement of clearance.

OMB Control Number--2127-0040.

Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.

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Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of

approval.

Summary of the Collection of Information--This collection of

information applies to motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment

manufacturers located outside of the United States (foreign

manufacturers). Every manufacturer offering a motor vehicle or item of

motor vehicle equipment for importation into the United States is

statutorily required to designate in writing an agent upon whom service

of all administrative and judicial processes, notices, orders,

decisions and requirements may be made for and on behalf of the

manufacturer. (49 U.S.C. 30164) These designations are required to be

filed with NHTSA.

Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the

Information--NHTSA needs this information in case it needs to advise a

foreign manufacturer of a safety related defect in its products so that

the manufacturer can, in turn, notify purchasers and correct the

defect. This information also enables NHTSA to serve a foreign

manufacturer with all administrative and judicial processes, notices,

orders, decisions and requirements.

Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden

Resulting from the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that the

number of respondents per year is 70. Each respondent provides the

information once. NHTSA estimates it takes one hour to write the letter

to NHTSA providing the information. The estimated total burden on all

respondents for this standard is 70 hours per year.

Based on an assumed clerical cost of $20.00 per hour, it costs each

manufacturer $20.00 to write the letter, and postage (on the average

from a foreign country) of approximately $1.00 per letter. Thus, each

response costs the manufacturer a total of $21.00. Since NHTSA

estimates the number of respondents per year is 70, the total cost on

all respondents per year is approximately $1,470.00.

There are no recordkeeping costs to the manufacturers.

49 CFR Parts 591 and 592--Motor Vehicle Importation

Type of Request--Reinstatement of clearance.

OMB Clearance Number--2127-0002.

Form Number--Form HS-7 and Form HS-474.

Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of

clearance.

Summary of the Collection of Information--A motor vehicle which

does not conform to applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

(FMVSSs) is statutorily required to be refused admission into the

United States, except under certain circumstances. (49 U.S.C. 30141 et

seq.) NHTSA may authorize importation of nonconforming vehicles upon

specified terms and conditions (include the furnishing of bond) to

ensure that any such vehicle will be brought into conformity with all

applicable FMVSSs or will be exported out of or abandoned to the United

States at no cost.

Before importing a nonconforming vehicle, a Registered Importer

must fill out Form HS-7 Declaration and Form HS-474 Bond Conformance

that requires posting bond to ensure the vehicle will be brought into

conformance with all applicable FMVSSs.

Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the

Information--If NHTSA could not collect the information needed for the

import program, it could not fulfill its statutory obligation to

monitor importation of nonconforming motor vehicles and motor vehicle

equipment into the United States. NHTSA has used and uses the

information to monitor noncomplying vehicles presented for importation

into the United States, to ascertain whether the vehicles are actually

brought into conformance with the FMVSSs, and to determine the validity

of the statements under which the vehicles were entered into the United

States.

Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number,

and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information--

The likely respondents are Registered Importers of vehicles or parties

with contracts with Registered Importers. The collection of information

burden on each Registered Importer depends on how often the Importer

imports noncomplying vehicles.

Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden

Resulting from the Collection of Information--NHTSA estimates that the

total information collection burden on Registered Importers is 16,600

hours. Based on an assumed cost of $20.00 per hour for clerical/

professional personnel to collect the information, the yearly

information collection cost to industry is 16,600 hours multiplied by

$20.00, or $332,000.

The cost per Importer for record keeping is minimal. NHTSA

estimates that the aggregate cost to industry of storing the Form HS-

474 information is approximately $160.00 per year, and the cost of

storing the Form HS-7 information is approximately $160.00 per year.

49 CFR Part 571.213--Child Restraint Systems

Type of Request--Extension of a currently approved clearance.

OMB Clearance Number--2127-0511.

Form Number--This collection of information uses no standard forms.

Requested Expiration Date of Approval--Three years from date of

clearance.

Summary of the Collection of Information--NHTSA has issued Federal

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, Child Restraint Systems, which

specifies requirements for restraint systems used to protect infants

and young children in motor vehicle and aircraft accidents. Standard

No. 213 requires that manufacturers provide labels and other printed

information to ensure correct use of the restraint systems.

Manufacturers of child restraint systems must also provide registration

cards for completion and return by purchasers of child restraints, and

keep names and addresses of child restraint system owners. These

actions are necessary to facilitate contacting the owners in the event

of a safety recall campaign.

Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the

Information--NHTSA requires labeling information to ensure that child

seat owners have important safety information. The information

currently provided on or with the restraint includes instructions on

correct use of the restraint, and recommendations as to which children

are suitable for the restraint. Without this information, the

effectiveness of child restraints could be greatly diminished.

The child restraint registration information enables manufacturers

to directly contact child restraint owners to notify them of safety

recalls. This better ensures that owners will hear about a recall and

will remedy the safety problem with their restraints.

Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number,

and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)--

NHTSA estimates that 15 manufacturers of child safety seats and

restraints offer their products for sale in the United States. The

frequency of response to the collection of information depends on

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the number of child seats or restraints that each manufacturer sells.

Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden

Resulting from the Collection of Information--Currently, 15

manufacturers produce, on the average, a total of approximately

4,500,000 child restraints a year. NHTSA estimates that the total

annual information collection burden on all manufacturers is 153,000

hours. NHTSA estimates that annualized costs on all manufacturers is

$1,071,000.00.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c); delegation of authority at 49 CFR

1.50.

Issued: July 5, 1996.

Patricia Breslin,

Acting Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.

[FR Doc. 96-17749 Filed 7-11-96; 8:45 am]

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