Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. 97-057-NO1]

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 one collection of information for which

NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 16, 1997.

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., SW., Washington, DC 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. Edward

Kosek, NHTSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, NHTSA, 400

Seventh Street, SW., Room 5111, Washington, DC 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 proposed collection of information:

49 CFR Part 571.218, Motorcycle Helmets

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

OMB Clearance Number--2127-0518.

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. 218, Motorcycle Helmets, which

establishes minimum performance requirements for helmets designed for

use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users. Standard No. 218

requires that each helmet shall be labeled permanently and legibly

(S5.6), in a manner such that the label(s) can be read easily without

removing padding or any other permanent part.

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

Information--NHTSA requires labeling information to ensure that helmet

owners have important safety information. The information currently

provided on the helmet from the labels includes the manufacturer's name

or identification, model, size, month and year of manufacture, shell

and liner construction of the helmet. The owners will also receive

important information on caring for the helmet from the labels.

Finally, the DOT symbol signifies the manufacturer's certification that

the helmet meets all the requirements in the standard. Labeling is

necessary for NHTSA to identify the helmet, particularly, if the helmet

failed the compliance tests.

Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number,

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

NHTSA estimates that 24 manufacturers of motorcycle helmets offer their

products for sale in the United States. The frequency of response to

the collection of information depends on the number of helmets that

each manufacturer sells.

Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden

Resulting from the Collection of Information--Currently, 24

manufacturers produce, on the average, a total of approximately

1,200,000 motorcycle helmets a year. NHTSA estimates that the total

annual information collection burden on all manufacturers is 4,000

hours. NHTSA estimates that annualized costs on all manufacturers is

$480,000.

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

1.50.

2Dated: October 1, 1997.

L. Robert Shelton,

Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.

[FR Doc. 97-27596 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]

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