[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR556.4]

[Page 150-151]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 556--EXEMPTION FOR INCONSEQUENTIAL DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 556.4  Petition for exemption.

    (a) A manufacturer who has determined the existence, in a motor 
vehicle or item of replacement equipment that he produces, of a defect 
related to motor vehicle safety or a noncompliance with an applicable 
Federal motor vehicle safety standard, or who has received notice of an 
initial determination by the NHTSA of the existence of a defect related 
to motor vehicle safety or a noncompliance, may petition for exemption 
from the Act's notification and remedy requirements on the grounds that 
the defect or noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor 
vehicle safety.
    (b) Each petition submitted under this part shall--
    (1) Be written in the English language;
    (2) Be submitted in three copies to: Administrator, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC 20590;
    (3) State the full name and address of the applicant, the nature of 
its organization (e.g., individual, partnership, or corporation) and the 
name of the State or country under the laws of which it is organized.
    (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 his petition.
    (6) Be accompanied by three copies of the report the manufacturer 
has submitted, or is submitting, to NHTSA in accordance with part 573 of 
this chapter, relating to its determination of the existence of safety 
related defect or noncompliance with an applicable safety standard that 
is the subject of the petition.
    (c) In the case of defects related to motor vehicle safety or 
noncompliances determined to exist by a manufacturer, petitions under 
this part must be submitted not later than 30 days after such 
determination. In the case of defects related to motor vehicle safety or 
noncompliances initially determined to exist by the NHTSA, petitions 
must be submitted not later than 30 days after notification of the 
determination has been received by the manufacturer. Such a petition 
will not constitute a concession by the manufacturer of, nor will it be 
considered relevant to, the existence of a defect

[[Page 151]]

related to motor vehicle safety or a nonconformity.

[42 FR 7145, Feb. 7, 1977, as amended at 56 FR 66376, Dec. 23, 1991]