National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance

REGISTERED IMPORTER NEWSLETTER No. 6

April 3, 1995

 

REGISTERED IMPORTER
OBLIGATIONS

It has come to our attention that many registered importers (RIs) are not complying with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 30146 (a)(1) (formerly 15 U.S.C. 1397(c)(3)(E)(I) and 49 CFR 592.8(e). The latter section provides that

(e) If a Registered Importer has received no written notice from the Administrator by the end of the 30th calendar day after it has furnished a certification to the Administrator, the RI may release from custody the vehicle that is covered by the certification, or have it licensed or registered for use on the public roads.

We would be pleased to discuss this matter with your company, and to work with you to achieve compliance in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, For example, OVSC will soon explore the possibility to receive electronic filing from RIs, thus expediting the review cycle for potential release.

While we are exploring alternative means of filing the necessary certification with the agency, we are also planning to expedite our review process which will result in faster release times. Site visits made by OVSC personnel to various RIs in the last several months indicate that many RIs are not holding the imported vehicles the required 30 days or complying with other requirements.

We seek cooperation with RIs in achieving compliance with Part 592. However, compliance is not optional under the law. A company's failure to comply can result in the imposition of civil penalties of not more than $1,000 for each violation up to a maximum penalty of $800,000 for a related series of violations. Moreover, under certain circumstances, a company's registration can be revoked or suspended. Therefore, it is very important that all RIs understand the requirements and how to comply with them.

If you have any questions about compliance with Part 592, please telephone Roy Shannon of my staff at 202-366-5307.

SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION
(FMVSS 214)


Registered Importers should be aware that the total number of vehicles they import during the time frames indicated below apply against them and not just the vehicles they import manufactured during those time frames. In other words, we will be asking for confirmation that 25% of the vehicles imported between Sept 1, 1994 and September 1, 1995 comply with FMVSS 214.

Phase-in of DYNAMIC test and performance requirements for passenger cars -

10% of passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1993 and before September 1, 1994

25% of passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1994 and before September 1, 1995

40% of passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1995 and before September 1, 1996]

100% of passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1996

Lamborghini passenger cars imported before September 1, 1996 do not have to the meet DYNAMIC Side Impact Protection requirements of FMVSS 214.

Phase-in of STATIC requirements for multipurpose vehicles, trucks and buses with GVWR of 10,000 lb. or less -

90% on or after September 1, 1993 and before September 1, 1994

100% on or after September 1, 1994

CODE OF FEDERAL
REGULATIONS


A new Code of Federal Regulations (49CFR) is available for $35 from the Superintendent of Documents by calling 202-512-1800.

THEFT MARKING


Please review Part 541 - Theft Prevention Standard. We will reject all packages on passenger cars that require theft marking unless confirmation is received that the VIN has been inscribed on the required parts prior to importation. Please review the requirements of the standard. This will apply to MPV's and light trucks beginning with MY 1997.

RECALLS


Registered importers must meet the defect and notification requirements of Part 577 and the reporting requirements of Part 573.

REFERENCE INFORMATION
FMVSSs


101- Controls and Displays (Inspection)

102- Transmission Shift Lever Sequences, etc. (Inspection)

103- Windshield Defrosting and Defogging

104- Windshield Wiping and Washing

105- Hydraulic Brake System

106- Brake Hoses

107- Reflecting Surfaces (Inspection)

108- Lamps, Reflective Devices, etc.

109- Pass. Car New Pneumatic Tires

110- Pass. Car Tire Selection/Rims

  111- Rearview Mirrors

112- Headlamp Concealment Devices (Inspection)

113- Hood Latch Systems (Inspection)

114- Theft Protection (Inspection)

115- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (Inspection)

116- Hydraulic Brake Fluids

117- Retreaded Pneumatic Tires (Inspection)

118- Power-Operated Window Systems

119- Truck/Bus New Pneumatic Tires

120- Truck/Bus Tire Selection & Rims

121- Air Brake Systems

122- Motorcycle Brake Systems

123- Motorcycle Controls and Displays (Inspection)

124- Accelerator Control Systems

125- Warning Devices

126- Truck-Camper Loading

129- Pass. Car New Non-Pneumatic Tires

131- School Bus Pedestrian Safety Devices

135- Passenger Car Brake Systems

201- Occupant Protection in Interior Impact

202- Head Restraints

203- Impact Protection for the Driver from Steering Control

204- Steering Control Rearward Displacement

205- Glazing Materials (Inspection)

206- Door Locks and Door Retention Components

207- Seating Systems

208- Occupant Crash Protection

209- Seat Belt Assemblies

210- Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages

211- Wheel Nuts, Wheel Discs, and Hub Caps (Inspection)

212- Windshield Mounting

213- Child Restraint Systems

214- Side Impact Protection

216- Roof Crush Resistance

217- Bus Window Retention and Release

218- Motorcycle Helmets

219- Windshield Zone Intrusion

220- School Bus Rollover Protection

221- School Bus Body Joint Strength

222- School Bus Passenger Seating

301- Fuel System Integrity

302- Flammability of Interior Materials

303- Fuel System Integrity of CNG Vehicles

304- CNG Fuel Container Integrity

REGULATIONS


P541- Theft Prevention Standard

P544- Insurer Reporting Requirements

P555- Temporary Exemption from Motor Veh Safety Standards

P565- VIN Content Requirements

P566- Manufacturer Identification

P567- Certification Regulation

P568- Vehicles Manufactured in Two or More Stages

P569- Regrooved Tires

P572- Anthropomorphic Test Dummies

P573- Defect and Noncompliance Reports

P574- Tire Identification

P575.103- Truck-Camper Loading

P575.104- Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQG)

P577- Defect and Noncompliance Notification

P579- Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility

P581- Bumper Standard

All questions concerning this newsletter should be directed to George Entwistle, 202-366-5306.