SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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: (a) 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; (b) 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; (c) how to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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 for public comments on the following proposed collection of information for which the agency is seeking approval from OMB.

Title:49 CFR part 575.104; Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standard (UTQGS).

OMB Control Number: 2127-0519.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Type of Request: Request for reinstatement with modification of a previously approved information collection.

Type of Review Requested: Regular.

Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of approval.

Summary of Information Collection: Under 49 U.S.C. 30123(b) and 49 CFR 575.104, tire manufacturers and tire brand name owners are required to grade passenger car tire lines for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance and to provide this information to consumers and to NHTSA. Respondents must:

1. Grade tires for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance;

2. Mold the assigned grades into the tire sidewall;

3. Affix a paper tread label to new replacement tires that includes the grades and an explanation of the grading system;

4. Provide prospective purchasers, at each point of sale, access to grading information for each tire offered for sale;

5. Ensure that vehicle manufacturers include the applicable grade information in the owner's manual for vehicles equipped with graded tires; and

6. Submit grading information to NHTSA for public compilation and dissemination.

NHTSA compiles grading information for all manufacturers' tire lines and makes the information available to the public, including through publication on NHTSA's website. The information collection ensures that consumers can readily compare tire quality across brands and tire lines and supports NHTSA's program administration and enforcement activities.

Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use: This collection supports the Department's strategic goal of Customer Service by ensuring that consumers receive clear, comparable information about tire performance. Mandatory requirements such as sidewall labeling, tread labels, brochures, and periodic reporting are essential for ensuring that consumers have access to the information needed to make well-informed tire purchase decisions. NHTSA uses the submitted information to maintain public databases, ensure accuracy of consumer disclosures, and perform compliance and enforcement activities.

Affected Public: Passenger car tire manufacturers and brand name owners offering passenger car tires for sale in the United States.

Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 160 tire brand names are subject to UTQGS requirements. However, due to industry consolidation, manufacturers typically submit required information on behalf of multiple brand names. NHTSA estimates that approximately 45 tire manufacturers serve as the actual respondents submitting information annually.

Frequency: Intermittently.

Sidewall Molding and Paper Labeling: Continuous/ongoing.

Brochure Preparation/Updating: Annual.

Reporting to NHTSA: Annual, with electronic submissions accepted.

Estimated Number of Responses: 45.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 69,888 hours per year.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: Approximately $35.1 million per year. NHTSA estimates total annual non-labor respondent costs of approximately $35.1 million, primarily attributable to testing, printing of paper tread labels, and printing of consumer information brochures. The largest portion of the cost burden imposed by the UTQGS program arises from the testing necessary to determine the grades that should be assigned to the tires. The cost burden is broken into its components as follows.

Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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.

(Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29A.)