Compliance Labeling of Reflective Material for Trailer Conspicuity
Reinstatement with change of a previously approved collection
No
Regular
10/19/2021
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
66,333,333
0
1
0
4,000
0
This information collection is mandatory under 49 CFR 571.108 for manufacturers of retroreflective sheeting. This collection involves disclosure by requiring manufacturers of retroreflective sheeting to permanently mark the letters âDOT-C2â, DOT-C3â, or âDOT-C4â at least 3mm high at regular intervals on retroreflective sheeting material having adequate performance for certifications and identification purposes. This is an as-needed collection that manufacturers comply with labeling retroreflective sheeting as being compliant with NHTSAâs performance requirements. Manufacturers of trailers and truck tractors that are required to apply retroreflective sheeting to their vehicles use the information on the label as an assurance that the sheeting complies with the standard, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses the information to ensure compliance with in-service requirements for regulated vehicle operators.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, âLamps, reflective devices, and associated equipmentâ specifies requirements for vehicle lighting for the purposes of reducing crashes and the injuries and deaths resulting from crashes by providing adequate roadway illumination, improved vehicle conspicuity, and appropriate information transmission through signal lamps, in both day, night, and other conditions of reduced visibility. To provide effective trailer conspicuity, FMVSS No. 108 requires the permanent marking of the letters âDOT-C2â, DOT-C3â, or âDOT-C4â at least 3 mm high at regular intervals on retroreflective sheeting material having adequate performance for certifications and identification purposes.
The manufacturers of new truck tractors and trailers are required to certify that their products are equipped with retroreflective material complying with the requirements of the standard. FMCSA enforces this and other standards through roadside inspections of trucks. There is no practical field test for the performance requirements, and labeling is the only objective way of distinguishing trailer conspicuity grade material from lower performance material. Without labeling, FMCSA would not be able to enforce the performance requirements of the standard and the compliance testing of new tractors and trailers would be complicated. Labeling is also important to small trailer manufacturers, which might not have the capability to test the tape and therefore could rely on the certification provided by the retroreflective sheeting manufacturer to help them certify compliance. Because wider stripes or material of lower brightness also can provide the minimum safety performance, the marking system serves the additional role of identifying the minimum stripe width required for retroreflective conspicuity of the particular material.
Since the last notice, the estimated number of respondents, burden hours and costs were revised. The number of respondents was revised from six respondents to three, based on the number of identified manufacturers of retroreflective tape. The total burden hours were revised from one hour to three hours based on the number of respondents and required reporting tasks. The labor cost associated with the burden hours was also revised to $102.57. The total annual cost burden was revised from $1,000 to $4,000 based on the number of trailers and truck tractors registered in the United States and updated
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.