Tentative Decision That Certain Canadian-Certified
Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2012)
Federal Register Volume 77, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2012)
Notices
Pages 57641-57645
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2012-22818
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0119
Tentative Decision That Certain Canadian-Certified
Vehicles Are Eligible for Importation
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Request for Comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice requests comments on a tentative decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that certain vehicles that do not comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), but that are certified by their original manufacturer as complying with all applicable Canadian motor vehicle safety standards (CMVSS), are nevertheless eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicles in question either are substantially similar to vehicles that were certified by their manufacturers as complying with the U.S. safety standards and are capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards, or have safety features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all U.S. safety standards.
DATES: You should submit your comments early enough to ensure that the docket receives them not later than October 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to the docket number identified in the heading of this document by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comment, see the Public Participation heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the ``Privacy Act'' heading below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://DocketInfo.dot.gov.
Confidential Information: If you wish to submit any information under a claim of confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete submission, including the information you claim to be confidential business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given below under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. In addition, you should submit two copies, from which you have deleted the claimed confidential business information, to Docket Management at the address given above under ADDRESSES. When you send a comment containing information claimed to be confidential business information, you should include a cover letter setting forth the information specified in our confidential business information regulation. (49 CFR Part 512.)
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov or the street address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Coleman Sachs, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-3151.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), a motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable FMVSS shall be refused admission into the United States unless NHTSA has decided, either pursuant to a petition from the manufacturer or registered importer or on its own initiative, (1) that the nonconforming motor vehicle is substantially similar to a motor vehicle of the same model year that was originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer as complying with all applicable FMVSS, and (2) that the nonconforming motor vehicle is capable of being readily altered to conform to all applicable FMVSS. Where there is no substantially similar U.S.-certified motor vehicle, 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(B) permits a nonconforming motor vehicle to be admitted into the United States if NHTSA decides that its safety features comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all applicable FMVSS based on destructive test data or such other evidence as NHTSA decides to be adequate.
Most Recent Decision
On September 27, 2007, NHTSA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that it had made a final decision on its own initiative that certain motor vehicles that are certified by their original manufacturer as complying with all applicable CMVSS are eligible for importation into the United States (72 FR 54975). The notice identified these vehicles as:
(a) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2007, and before September 1, 2008, that, as originally manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 138, 201, 208, 213, 214, 225, and 401;
(b) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2008 and before September 1, 2011 that, as originally manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 138, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, 225, and 401;
(c) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2011 and before September 1, 2012 that, as originally manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 126, 138, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, 225, and 401;
(d) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2007 and before September 1, 2008, that, as originally manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 201, 202, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and insofar as they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 and 225;
(e) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2008 and before September 1, 2011, that, as originally manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and insofar
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as they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 and 225; and
(f) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2011 and before September 1, 2012, that, as originally manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 126, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and insofar as they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 and 225.
In the notice of tentative decision that preceded the final decision, the agency explained that the identified standards incorporated requirements that were not adopted, in whole or in part, by Canada (72 FR 45488; August 14, 2007). The notice proposed limiting the import eligibility decision to vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2012 so that the agency could assess, prior to that date, whether any other requirements were added to the FMVSS that Canada chose not to adopt. This limitation was included in the final eligibility decision published on September 27, 2007.
Additional Actions By the United States and Canada Since the Prior Eligibility Decision
Since the last eligibility decision covering Canadian-certified vehicles was issued, NHTSA published a final rule that amended FMVSS No. 222 School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection that raised the seat back height for school buses from 20 inches to 24 inches; required lap/shoulder belts for all passenger seats in small school buses, specified performance requirements for school bus seats with seat belts, and required self-latching mechanism for seat bottoms that are designed to flip up (73 FR 62744; October 21, 2008). The height requirements were effective April 20, 2009 and the belt requirements October 21, 2011. Since this final rule, the US and Canadian versions of Standard No. 222 are no longer harmonized. The agency has therefore tentatively decided to limit the import eligibility of school buses with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2008 to those that were originally manufactured to comply with FMVSS No. 222.
In addition, NHTSA has adopted a new FMVSS No. 226 Ejection Mitigation. On January 19, 2011 NHTSA published a final rule to establish this new standard to mitigate occupant ejection from side windows in rollovers and side impacts (76 FR 3212). This final rule will be effective September 1, 2017, except for altered and multistage vehicles for which it will be effective September 1, 2018. If Canada does not adopt a substantially similar CMVSS by those dates, this standard would be added to the list of FMVSS that a vehicle must be originally manufactured to meet to be eligible for importation.
On September 17, 2008, Canada amended its regulations to align the requirements of CMVSS 110 with those of FMVSS No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000) lb) or Less. The newly aligned requirements became effective on August 1, 2009.
On May 2, 2009, Canada amended its regulations to align the requirements of CMVSS 118 with those of FMVSS No. 118 Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems. The newly aligned requirements became effective on October 1, 2010.
On December 10, 2009, Canada adopted CMVSS 126 incorporating the requirements of FMVSS No. 126 Electronic Stability Control Systems. The newly adopted requirements became effective for passenger cars, multi-
purpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured after August 31, 2011.
On July 9, 2011, Canada published a Technical Standards Document (TSD) that adopts the requirements of FMVSS No. 202a Head Restraints. The newly adopted requirements become effective on September 1, 2012.
On July 24, 2010, Canada published a revision to a TSD that incorporates the requirements of FMVSS No. 216 Roof Crush Resistance. The newly adopted requirements become effective on September 1, 2016.
On August 22, 2007, Canada amended its regulations to align the requirements of CMVSS 401 with those of FMVSS No. 401 Interior Trunk Release. The newly aligned requirements became effective on September 1, 2010.
Canada has yet to adopt or fully align the requirements of its regulations with those of FMVSS Nos. 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, 208 Occupant Crash Protection, 213 Child Restraint Systems, 214 Side Impact Protection, and 225 Child Restraint Anchorage Systems.
The tables below summarize the current state of harmonization between the CMVSS and the FMVSS. Table 1 is a list of all FMVSS that are harmonized to the CMVSS, or for which the differences are such that compliance with the US standard can be readily achieved. Table 2 is a list of all FMVSS which are not harmonized. Table 3 is a list of FMVSS that have been adopted and are not yet effective, but will be in the future.
Table 1--Harmonized Standards
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Date harmonized since last
FMVSS Canadian equivalent determination
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102--Transmission Shift Position CMVSS 102--Transmission
Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Control Functions.
Transmission Braking Effect.
103--Windshield Defrosting and Defogging CMVSS 103--Windshield
Systems. Defrost and Defog.
104--Windshield Wiping and Washing CMVSS 104--Windshield Wiping
Systems. and Wash.
105--Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems CMVSS 105--Hydraulic and
Electric Brakes; TSD 105.
106--Brake Hoses......................... CMVSS 106--Brake Hoses; TSD
106.
108--Lamps, Reflective Devices and CMVSS 108--Lighting Systems
Associated Equipment. and Retroreflective
Devices; TSD 108.
110--Tire Selection and Rims for Motor CMVSS 110--Tire Selection September 1, 2009.
Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kg and Rims; TSD 110.
(10,000) lb) or Less.
111--Rearview Mirrors.................... CMVSS 111--Mirrors..........
113--Hood Latch Systems.................. CMVSS 113--Hood Latch System
114--Theft Protection and Rollaway CMVSS 114--Locking and
Prevention. Immobilization; TSD 114.
116--Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids.......... CMVSS 116--Hydraulic Brake
Fluids; TSD 116.
118--Power-Operated Window, Partition, CMVSS 118--Power-operated September 1, 2011.
and Roof Panel Systems. Windows; TSD 118.
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120--Tire Selection and Rims and Motor CMVSS 120--Tire Selection
Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load and Rims for Vehicles Other
Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Than Passenger Cars; TSD
Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 4,536 120.
Kilograms (10,000 pounds).
121--Air Brake Systems................... CMVSS 121--Air Brakes for
Trucks; TSD 121.
122--Motorcycle Brake Systems............ CMVSS 122--Motorcycle Brake
Systems; TSD 122.
123--Motorcycle Controls and Displays.... CMVSS 123--Motorcycle
Control & Displays; TSD 123.
124--Accelerator Control Systems......... CMVSS 124--Accelerator
Control Systems; TSD 124.
126--Electronic Stability Control Systems CMVSS 126--Electronic September 1, 2011.
Stability Control; TSD 126.
131--School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices CMVSS 131--School Bus
Pedestrian Safety Devices;
TSD 131.
135--Light Vehicle Brake Systems......... CMVSS 135--Light Vehicle
Brake Systems; TSD 135.
202--Head Restraints; Applicable unless a CMVSS 202--Head Restraints;
vehicle is certified to Sec. 571.202a. TSD 202.
202a--Head Restraints.................... CMVSS 202--Head Restraints; September 1, 2012.
TSD 202.
203--Impact protection for the driver CMVSS 203--Driver Impact
from the steering control system. Protection.
204--Steering control rearward CMVSS 204--Steering Column
displacement. Rearward Displacement.
205--Glazing materials................... CMVSS 205--Glazing Materials
205a--Glazing materials before September CMVSS 205--Glazing Materials
1, 2006 and glazing materials used in
vehicles manufactured before November 1,
2006.
207--Seating systems..................... CMVSS 207--Anchorage of
Seats.
210--Seat belt assembly anchorages....... CMVSS 210--Seat Belt
Assembly Anchorages.
212--Windshield mounting................. CMVSS 212--Windshield
Mounting.
216--Roof crush resistance; Applicable CMVSS 216--Roof Intrusion
unless a vehicle is certified to Sec. Protection; TSD 216.
571.216a.
216a--Roof crush resistance; Upgraded CMVSS 216--Roof Intrusion
standard. Protection; TSD 216.
217--Bus emergency exits and window CMVSS 217--Bus Window
retention and release. Retention and Emergency
Exits.
219--Windshield zone intrusion........... CMVSS 219--Windshield Zone
Intrusion.
220--School bus rollover protection...... CMVSS 220--Rollover
Protection; TSD 220.
221--School bus body joint strength...... CMVSS 221--School Bus Body
Joint Strength.
224--Rear impact protection.............. CMVSS 223--Rear Impact
Guards.
301--Fuel system integrity............... CMVSS 301--Fuel System
Integrity; TSD 301.
302--Flammability of interior materials.. CMVSS 302--Flammability; TSD
302.
303--Fuel system integrity of compressed CMVSS 301.2--CNG Fuel System
natural gas vehicles. Integrity.
304--Compressed natural gas fuel CMVSS 301.2--CNG Fuel System
container integrity. Integrity.
305--Electric-powered vehicles: CMVSS 305--Electrolyte
electrolyte spillage and electrical Spillage and Electrical
shock protection. Shock Protection; TSD 305.
401--Internal trunk release.............. CMVSS 401--Interior Trunk September 1, 2010.
Release; TSD 401.
500--Low-speed vehicles.................. CMVSS 500--Low-speed
Vehicles; TSD 500.
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Table 2--Standards That Have Not Been Harmonized
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Multipurpose passenger
vehicles, trucks, and
U.S. Standard Canadian standard Passenger cars buses with a GVWR of
4,536 Kg (10,000 Lb) or
less
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FMVSS 101--Controls and Displays.... CMVSS 101--Controls X X
and Displays.
FMVSS 138--Tire Pressure Monitoring ...................... X X
Systems.
FMVSS 201--Occupant Protection in CMVSS 201--Occupant X X
Interior Impact. Protection.
206--Door locks and door retention CMVSS 206--Door Locks X X
components. and Door Retention
Components.
FMVSS 208--Occupant Crash Protection CMVSS 208--Occupant X X
Restraint Frontal
Impact.
FMVSS 213--Child Restraint Systems.. CMVSS 213.4--Built-in X X
Child Restraint
Systems.
FMVSS 214--Side Impact Protection... CMVSS 214--Side Door X X
Strength.
FMVSS 222--School Bus Passenger CMVSS 222--School Bus ........................ \1\
Seating and Crash Protection. Passenger Seating and
Crash Protection.
FMVSS 225--Child restraint anchorage ...................... X X
systems.
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\1\ School buses only.
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Table 3--FMVSS That Have Been Adopted But are Not Yet Effective
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FMVSS Federal Register Notice Description Effective date
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226--Ejection Mitigation................... 76 FR 3212; 1/19/2011........ New standard to 9/1/17, except
mitigate for altered and
occupant multistage
ejection from vehicles 9/1/18.
side windows in
rollovers and
side impacts..
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In light of these developments, NHTSA has tentatively decided to require, as a condition for import eligibility, that Canadian-certified passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2012 and before September 1, 2017 comply, as originally manufactured, with FMVSS Nos. 138, 201, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 225. The agency has also tentatively decided to require, as a condition for import eligibility, that Canadian-certified multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2012 and before September 1, 2017 comply, as originally manufactured, with FMVSS Nos. 201, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and insofar as they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 and 225. The agency has also tentatively decided to require, as a condition for import eligibility, that Canadian-certified school buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2012 and before September 1, 2017 also comply with FMVSS No. 222.
The agency has also tentatively decided to revise its prior import eligibility decisions to eliminate references to the following harmonized standards for the vehicles identified below:
FMVSS No. 110 for all passenger cars and all multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2009;
FMVSS No. 118 for all passenger cars and all multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2011;
FMVSS No. 126 for all passenger cars and all multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2011; and
FMVSS No. 401 for all passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2010.
Future Cut-Off Date
To avoid the need to amend any existing eligibility decisions in the event that there are any further requirements imposed under the FMVSS that are not carried into the corresponding CMVSS, NHTSA has tentatively decided to limit its import eligibility decisions for Canadian-certified passenger cars and for multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less to such vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2017. Prior to that date, the agency will assess whether there is a need to condition the import eligibility of any subsequently manufactured Canadian-certified vehicles on compliance with any additional FMVSS. The agency intends to issue new decisions covering vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2017 within a sufficient period before that date is reached.
Tentative Decision
Pending its review of any comments submitted in response to this notice, NHTSA hereby tentatively decides that--
(a) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2012 and before September 1, 2017 that, as originally manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 138, 201, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 225; and
(b) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2012 and before September 1, 2017, that, as originally manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 201, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and insofar as they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138, 222, and 225; that are certified by their original manufacturer as complying with all applicable Canadian motor vehicle safety standards, are eligible for importation into the United States on the basis that either:
1. They are substantially similar to vehicles of the same make, model, and model year originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States, or originally manufactured in the United States for sale therein, and certified as complying with all applicable FMVSS, and are capable of being readily altered to conform to all applicable FMVSS, or
2. They have safety features that comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all applicable FMVSS.
Vehicle Eligibility Number
The importer of a vehicle admissible under any final decision must indicate on the form HS-7 accompanying entry the appropriate vehicle eligibility number indicating that the vehicle is eligible for entry. Vehicle Eligibility Number VSA-80 is currently assigned to Canadian-
certified passenger cars and Vehicle Eligibility Number VSA-81 is currently assigned to Canadian-certified multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less. If this tentative decision is made final, all passenger cars admissible under the final decision will be assigned vehicle eligibility number VSA-80, and all multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses admissible under the final decision will be assigned vehicle eligibility number VSA-81.
Public Participation
How do I prepare and submit comments?
Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your comments are correctly filed in the Docket, please include the docket number of this document in your comments.
Your comments must not be more than 15 pages long. (49 CFR 553.21). We established this limit to encourage you to write your primary comments in a concise fashion. However, you may attach necessary additional documents to your comments. There is no limit on the length of the attachments.
Comments may be submitted to the docket electronically by logging onto the Docket Management System Web site at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
You may also submit two copies of your comments, including the attachments, to Docket Management at the address given above under ADDRESSES.
Please note that pursuant to the Data Quality Act, in order for substantive data to be relied upon and used by the agency, it must meet the information quality standards set forth in the OMB
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and DOT Data Quality Act guidelines. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult the guidelines in preparing your comments. OMB's guidelines may be accessed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/reproducible.html. DOT's guidelines may be accessed at http://www.bts.gov/programs/statistical_policy_and_research/data_quality_guidelines.
How can I be sure that my comments were received?
If you wish Docket Management to notify you upon its receipt of your comments, enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard in the envelope containing your comments. Upon receiving your comments, Docket Management will return the postcard by mail.
How do I submit confidential business information?
If you wish to submit any information under a claim of confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete submission, including the information you claim to be confidential business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. In addition, you should submit two copies, from which you have deleted the claimed confidential business information, to Docket Management at the address given above under ADDRESSES. When you send a comment containing information claimed to be confidential business information, you should include a cover letter setting forth the information specified in our confidential business information regulation. (49 CFR Part 512.)
Will the agency consider late comments?
We will consider all comments that Docket Management receives before the close of business on the comment closing date indicated above under DATES. To the extent possible, we will also consider comments that Docket Management receives after that date. If Docket Management receives a comment too late for us to consider in developing a determination (assuming that one is issued), we will consider that comment as an informal suggestion for future action.
How can I read the comments submitted by other people?
You may read the comments received by Docket Management at the address given above under ADDRESSES. The hours of the Docket are indicated above in the same location. You may also see the comments on the Internet. To read the comments on the Internet, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets.
Please note that even after the comment closing date, we will continue to file relevant information in the Docket as it becomes available. Further, some people may submit late comments. Accordingly, we recommend that you periodically check the Docket for new material.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.8; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95.
Issued on: September 12, 2012.
Daniel C. Smith,
Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety.
FR Doc. 2012-22818 Filed 9-17-12; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
