Osram Sylvania Products Incorporated, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 46000-46001 [2013-18243]

Download as PDF pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 46000 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 146 / Tuesday, July 30, 2013 / Notices for importation. The agency then publishes this decision in the Federal Register. U.S. Specs of Havre de Grace, Maryland (Registered Importer R–03– 321) has petitioned NHTSA to decide whether nonconforming 2005 Jaguar XKR passenger cars are eligible for importation into the United States. The vehicles which U.S. Specs believes are substantially similar are 2005 Jaguar XKR passenger cars that were manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by their manufacturer as conforming to all applicable FMVSS. The petitioner claims that it compared non-U.S. certified 2005 Jaguar XKR passenger cars to their U.S.-certified counterparts, and found the vehicles to be substantially similar with respect to compliance with most FMVSS. U.S. Specs submitted information with its petition intended to demonstrate that non-U.S. certified 2005 Jaguar XKR passenger cars, as originally manufactured, conform to many FMVSS in the same manner as their U.S. certified counterparts, or are capable of being readily altered to conform to those standards. Specifically, the petitioner claims that non-U.S. certified 2005 Jaguar XKR passenger cars are identical to their U.S. certified counterparts with respect to compliance with Standard Nos. 102 Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect, 103 Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems, 104 Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, 105 Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems, 106 Brake Hoses, 109 New Pneumatic Tires, 113 Hood Latch System, 116 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids, 124 Accelerator Control Systems, 135 Light Vehicle Brake Systems, 202 Head Restraints, 204 Steering Control Rearward Displacement, 205 Glazing Materials, 207 Seating Systems, 210 Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages, 212 Windshield Mounting, 214 Side Impact Protection, 216 Roof Crush Resistance, 219 Windshield Zone Intrusion, 301 Fuel System Integrity, and 302 Flammability of Interior Materials. The petitioner also contends that the vehicles are capable of being readily altered to meet the following standards, in the manner indicated: Standard No. 101 Controls and Displays: recalibration of the speedometer to read in MPH instead of KPH if the speedometer is not already so calibrated; inscription of the word ‘‘BRAKE’’ on the brake failure indicator in place of the ECE warning symbol, if the vehicle is not already so equipped. VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:32 Jul 29, 2013 Jkt 229001 Standard No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment: Replacement of the headlamps, side marker lamps, and tail lamps with U.S.model components; installation of a U.S.-model high-mounted stop lamp. Standard No. 110 Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less: installation of a tire information placard. Standard No. 111 Rearview Mirrors: replacement of the passenger side rearview mirror with a U.S.-model component or inscription of the required warning statement on the face of that mirror. Standard No. 114 Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention: Installation of a warning buzzer if the vehicle is not already so equipped or reprogramming the buzzer to comply with the standard. Standard No. 118 Power-operated Window, Partition, And Roof Panel Systems: Inspection of each vehicle to verify compliance with the standard and reprogramming and/or rewiring of the system to meet the standard if it does not already comply. Standard No. 201 Occupant Protection in Interior Impact: Inspection of components subject to this standard and replacement as necessary with U.S.model components. Standard No. 206 Door Locks and Door Retention Components: Inspection of door locks and retention components and installation of U.S.-model components if the vehicle is not already so equipped. Standard No. 208 Occupant Crash Protection: Installation of a seat belt warning lamp and audible buzzer if the vehicle is not already so equipped; inspection of the vehicle to ensure that airbags, control unit, sensors, seatbelts, and knee bolsters bearing U.S.-model part numbers have been installed. Standard No. 209 Seat Belt Assemblies: Inspection of all seat belts and replacement with U.S.-model components if the vehicle is not already so equipped. Standard No. 225 Child Restraint Anchorage Systems: Installation of a U.S.-model restraint anchorage system if the vehicle is not already so equipped. Standard No. 401 Interior Trunk Release: Installation of a compliant interior trunk release system. The petitioner states that a vehicle identification plate must be affixed to the vehicle near the left windshield post if not already present to meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 565. All comments received before the close of business on the closing date indicated above will be considered, and will be available for examination in the PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 docket at the above addresses both before and after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed after the closing date will also be considered. Notice of final action on the petition will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), and (b)(1); 49 CFR 593.7; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8. Issued on July 25, 2013. Claude H. Harris, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 2013–18244 Filed 7–29–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2012–0008; Notice 2] Osram Sylvania Products Incorporated, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT. ACTION: Grant of petition. AGENCY: Osram Sylvania Products, Inc.1 (Osram) has determined that certain Type HB2 replaceable light sources, manufactured between September 25 2011 and October 8, 2011, do not fully comply with paragraph S7.7 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. Osram has filed an appropriate report dated November 23, 2011,2 pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and the rule implementing those provisions at 49 CFR part 556, Osram has petitioned for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Notice of receipt of the petition was published, with a 30-day public comment period, on April 9, 2012 in the Federal Register (77 FR 21152). No comments were received. To view the petition and all supporting documents log onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Web site SUMMARY: 1 Osram Sylvania Products Inc. is a manufacturer of motor vehicle replacement equipment and is registered under the laws of the state of Delaware. 2 Osram submitted an amended version of the report on January 6, 2012. E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1 pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 146 / Tuesday, July 30, 2013 / Notices at: https://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online search instructions to locate docket number ‘‘NHTSA–2012– 0008.’’ For further information on this decision contact Mr. Michael Cole, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366–2334, facsimile (202) 366– 7002. Equipment Involved: Affected are approximately 40,544 Type HB2 replaceable light sources that were manufactured by Osram Sylvania Products, Inc., between September 25, 2011, and October 8, 2011. Summary of Osram’s Analysis and Arguments: Osram explains that the noncompliance is due to an error in the production facility. Certain Type HB2 replaceable light sources were produced with an incorrect upper beam filament wire which results in an upper beam luminous flux outside (below) the specifications as required in paragraph S7.7 of FMVSS No. 108. Osram stated that although the subject Type HB2 replaceable light source may not meet the required luminous flux specifications, the noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Osram came to this conclusion based on the following results of testing that it conducted on a large sample of lamps using the subject noncompliant Type HB2 replaceable light sources: (1) In half of the vehicle/lamp applications, the upper beam photometry specified for HB2 lamps will continue to be met; (2) In the remaining applications, the photometry performance falls just below the specified minimums for HB2 lamps (and in no more than three, but typically just one or two, test points on a permeasured headlamp basis); and (3) All lamps using the noncompliant bulbs perform at or above the upper beam photometry requirements of other lamp types, such as HB1 and HB5, that are currently permitted by FMVSS 108 and in prevalent use on U.S. roads. Osram also stated that the issue that caused the subject noncompliance has been corrected at the production facility and all products currently being shipped meet the applicable requirements. In summation, Osram believes that the described noncompliance of its Type HB2 replaceable light sources to meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 108 is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, and that its petition, to exempt from providing recall notification of noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118 and remedying the recall VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:32 Jul 29, 2013 Jkt 229001 noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120 should be granted. NHTSA Analysis and Decision: Requirement Background Section S7.7 of FMVSS No. 108 specifically states: S7.7 Each replaceable light source shall be designed to conform to the dimensions and electrical specifications furnished with respect to it pursuant to part 564 of this chapter, and shall conform to the following requirements: . . . NHTSA has reviewed and accepts Osram’s analyses that this noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. While the replaceable light source marginally fails to comply with the luminous flux requirements of Docket No. NHTSA– 1998–3397–0011, when it is placed into a headlamp, it does meet the FMVSS photometry requirements. The subject replaceable light source fell 4% below the lower limit for the upper beam of HB2 bulbs, rendering it noncompliant. According to Osram, this was due to an incorrect filament wire being used during production. When this noncompliance was determined, the entire inventory of suspect light sources of Osram’s sole customer of original equipment was returned to Osram. Therefore, this petition only applies to aftermarket products. Headlamp performance is primarily affected by luminous flux output and filament geometry. Osram found that while bulbs produced with the incorrect filament wire did not meet the upper beam luminous flux requirements, they did comply with upper beam filament geometry requirements. This allowed headlamps using the subject replaceable light sources to pass the upper beam photometry requirements specified in section UB3 of Table XVIII in FMVSS No. 108. Furthermore, in a 2006 University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute report,3 researchers observed that upper beams were only used for 3.1% of the distance driven at night. This indicates that the potential safety risk with slightly less intensity lighting would be further diminished because the noncompliance only applies to upper beam performance. As such, NHTSA agrees that due to a combination of the following factors: The subject replaceable light source only fell 4% below the lower limit, headlamps with the subject light sources pass FMVSS 108 photometry requirements, only aftermarket products are affected, and only the upper beam is 3 ‘‘Real-World Use of High-Beam Headlamps’’. Report No: UMTRI–2006–11, Mefford, Flannagan, and Bogard, April 2006. PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46001 affected; an occupant using the noncompliant subject light source would not be exposed to a significantly greater risk than an occupant using a similar compliant light source. Therefore the noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA has decided that Osram has met its burden of persuasion that the FMVSS No. 108 noncompliance in the Type HB2 replaceable light sources identified in Osram’s Noncompliance Information Report is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Accordingly, Osram’s petition is granted and the Osram is exempted from the obligation of providing notification of, and a remedy for, that noncompliance under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120. NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a determination of inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers only from the duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively, to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance and to remedy the defect or noncompliance. Therefore, this decision only applies to the subject Type HB2 replaceable light sources that Osram no longer controlled at the time it determined that a noncompliance existed. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8. Issued on July 25, 2013. Claude H. Harris, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 2013–18243 Filed 7–29–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request July 25, 2013. The Department of the Treasury will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13, on or after the date of publication of this notice. DATES: Comments should be received on or before August 29, 2013 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the burden estimate, or any other aspect of the information collection, including suggestion for reducing the burden, to (1) Office of Information and Regulatory E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46000-46001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18243]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0008; Notice 2]


Osram Sylvania Products Incorporated, Grant of Petition for 
Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Grant of petition.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Osram Sylvania Products, Inc.\1\ (Osram) has determined that 
certain Type HB2 replaceable light sources, manufactured between 
September 25 2011 and October 8, 2011, do not fully comply with 
paragraph S7.7 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 
108, Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. Osram has 
filed an appropriate report dated November 23, 2011,\2\ pursuant to 49 
CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Osram Sylvania Products Inc. is a manufacturer of motor 
vehicle replacement equipment and is registered under the laws of 
the state of Delaware.
    \2\ Osram submitted an amended version of the report on January 
6, 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and the rule 
implementing those provisions at 49 CFR part 556, Osram has petitioned 
for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 
U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is 
inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Notice of receipt of the 
petition was published, with a 30-day public comment period, on April 
9, 2012 in the Federal Register (77 FR 21152). No comments were 
received. To view the petition and all supporting documents log onto 
the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Web site

[[Page 46001]]

at: https://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online search 
instructions to locate docket number ``NHTSA-2012-0008.''
    For further information on this decision contact Mr. Michael Cole, 
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366-2334, facsimile 
(202) 366-7002.
    Equipment Involved: Affected are approximately 40,544 Type HB2 
replaceable light sources that were manufactured by Osram Sylvania 
Products, Inc., between September 25, 2011, and October 8, 2011.
    Summary of Osram's Analysis and Arguments: Osram explains that the 
noncompliance is due to an error in the production facility. Certain 
Type HB2 replaceable light sources were produced with an incorrect 
upper beam filament wire which results in an upper beam luminous flux 
outside (below) the specifications as required in paragraph S7.7 of 
FMVSS No. 108.
    Osram stated that although the subject Type HB2 replaceable light 
source may not meet the required luminous flux specifications, the 
noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Osram came to 
this conclusion based on the following results of testing that it 
conducted on a large sample of lamps using the subject noncompliant 
Type HB2 replaceable light sources:
    (1) In half of the vehicle/lamp applications, the upper beam 
photometry specified for HB2 lamps will continue to be met;
    (2) In the remaining applications, the photometry performance falls 
just below the specified minimums for HB2 lamps (and in no more than 
three, but typically just one or two, test points on a per-measured 
headlamp basis); and
    (3) All lamps using the noncompliant bulbs perform at or above the 
upper beam photometry requirements of other lamp types, such as HB1 and 
HB5, that are currently permitted by FMVSS 108 and in prevalent use on 
U.S. roads.
    Osram also stated that the issue that caused the subject 
noncompliance has been corrected at the production facility and all 
products currently being shipped meet the applicable requirements.
    In summation, Osram believes that the described noncompliance of 
its Type HB2 replaceable light sources to meet the requirements of 
FMVSS No. 108 is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, and that its 
petition, to exempt from providing recall notification of noncompliance 
as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118 and remedying the recall noncompliance 
as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120 should be granted.

NHTSA Analysis and Decision:

Requirement Background

    Section S7.7 of FMVSS No. 108 specifically states:

    S7.7 Each replaceable light source shall be designed to conform 
to the dimensions and electrical specifications furnished with 
respect to it pursuant to part 564 of this chapter, and shall 
conform to the following requirements: . . .

    NHTSA has reviewed and accepts Osram's analyses that this 
noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. While the 
replaceable light source marginally fails to comply with the luminous 
flux requirements of Docket No. NHTSA-1998-3397-0011, when it is placed 
into a headlamp, it does meet the FMVSS photometry requirements.
    The subject replaceable light source fell 4% below the lower limit 
for the upper beam of HB2 bulbs, rendering it noncompliant. According 
to Osram, this was due to an incorrect filament wire being used during 
production. When this noncompliance was determined, the entire 
inventory of suspect light sources of Osram's sole customer of original 
equipment was returned to Osram. Therefore, this petition only applies 
to aftermarket products. Headlamp performance is primarily affected by 
luminous flux output and filament geometry. Osram found that while 
bulbs produced with the incorrect filament wire did not meet the upper 
beam luminous flux requirements, they did comply with upper beam 
filament geometry requirements. This allowed headlamps using the 
subject replaceable light sources to pass the upper beam photometry 
requirements specified in section UB3 of Table XVIII in FMVSS No. 108. 
Furthermore, in a 2006 University of Michigan Transportation Research 
Institute report,\3\ researchers observed that upper beams were only 
used for 3.1% of the distance driven at night. This indicates that the 
potential safety risk with slightly less intensity lighting would be 
further diminished because the noncompliance only applies to upper beam 
performance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ ``Real-World Use of High-Beam Headlamps''. Report No: UMTRI-
2006-11, Mefford, Flannagan, and Bogard, April 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As such, NHTSA agrees that due to a combination of the following 
factors: The subject replaceable light source only fell 4% below the 
lower limit, headlamps with the subject light sources pass FMVSS 108 
photometry requirements, only aftermarket products are affected, and 
only the upper beam is affected; an occupant using the noncompliant 
subject light source would not be exposed to a significantly greater 
risk than an occupant using a similar compliant light source. Therefore 
the noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.
    In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA has decided that Osram has 
met its burden of persuasion that the FMVSS No. 108 noncompliance in 
the Type HB2 replaceable light sources identified in Osram's 
Noncompliance Information Report is inconsequential to motor vehicle 
safety. Accordingly, Osram's petition is granted and the Osram is 
exempted from the obligation of providing notification of, and a remedy 
for, that noncompliance under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120.
    NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 
30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a 
determination of inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers 
only from the duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively, 
to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance 
and to remedy the defect or noncompliance. Therefore, this decision 
only applies to the subject Type HB2 replaceable light sources that 
Osram no longer controlled at the time it determined that a 
noncompliance existed.

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 
49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.

    Issued on July 25, 2013.
Claude H. Harris,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2013-18243 Filed 7-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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