National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation.
Request for public comment on proposed collection of information.
Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under 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 reinstatement of previously approved collections.
This document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.
Comments must be received on or before April 26, 2011.
You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket No. NHTSA–2011–0020 by any of the following methods:
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George Stevens, NHTSA 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Room W43–490, Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Steven's telephone number is (202) 366–5308. Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control Number.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a document in the
(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;
(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,
In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public comments on the following proposed collections of information:
A manufacturer may be exempted from these requirements under 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) if the agency decides, upon application of the manufacturer, that the defect or noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. That section provides that the agency may only take such action after publishing notice in the
Regulations implementing this provision are found in 49 CFR part 556
The regulations further provide that each petition submitted under part 556 must:
(1) Be written in the English language;
(2) Be submitted in three copies to NHTSA;
(3) State the full name and address of the applicant, the nature of its organization (
(4) Describe the motor vehicle or item of replacement equipment, including the number involved and the period of production, and the defect or noncompliance concerning which an exemption is sought, and
(5) Set forth all data, views, and arguments of the petitioner supporting the petition.
The regulations also provide that the petition must be accompanied by three copies of the report of the defect or noncompliance that the manufacturer has compiled for submission to NHTSA under 49 CFR part 573
The agency receives, on average, 30 petitions per year seeking exemptions under part 556 for an inconsequential defect or noncompliance. The agency estimates that it would take, on average, five hours for a manufacturer to compile, organize, and submit the information needed to support each petition.