NHTSA Seeks Input on Simplified Car Labeling Rules
Published Date: 4/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to update and combine several vehicle labeling rules, like brake fluid warnings and fuel labels, into one clear set of requirements. This affects car makers and anyone involved in vehicle labeling, with some new labels added and a chance for the public to comment by June 8, 2026. These changes aim to keep drivers safe without adding big costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
Total industry burden and costs
NHTSA estimates the consolidated labeling collection creates a total annual burden of 35,126 hours and an annual cost of $23,608,211 for industry. These totals cover labeling requirements across multiple Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) included in this information collection.
Air bag and dashboard warning label inclusion
FMVSS No. 208 requires sun visor and dashboard air bag warning labels (e.g., warnings about children 12 and under). NHTSA estimates manufacturers provide these labels for about 550 vehicle models, and that including these labels in the collection adds a combined annual burden of 1,100 hours and $15,570,042 in industry costs for label application and verification.
Labels give consumers safety and use information
NHTSA states that the required labels provide consumers with information on safety and proper use, and that absence of labeling could increase risks such as improper airbag placement of children, improper use of CNG or hydrogen containers that could cause fire or explosion, or lack of identification for glazing in crash defects. The agency says collecting and placing these labels on products is necessary to reduce those safety risks.
Brake-fluid reservoir labeling rules
FMVSS Nos. 105 and 135 require a brake fluid warning statement in letters at least one-eighth of an inch high on master cylinder reservoirs for vehicles (both GVWR greater than 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds) and GVWR 3,500 kilograms or less). NHTSA estimates an annual manufacturer burden of 2,000 hours and a total annual cost of $419,127 to implement these reservoir labeling requirements.
Glazing manufacturers: DOT code marks and glazing labels
FMVSS No. 205 requires glazing manufacturers to request a unique DOT manufacturer's code mark and apply certification labels to glazing panels. NHTSA estimates 22 glazing manufacturers request new code marks annually and that glazing labeling creates an annual burden of 21,994 hours and a cost of $4,095,202 to industry (including $3,028,388 for applying certification labels to glazing panels).
Seat belt assembly labeling burden
FMVSS No. 209 requires seat belt assemblies to be labeled with manufacture year, model, and manufacturer name. NHTSA estimates 4,894 seat belt assembly models and an annual manufacturer burden of 9,788 hours and $5,144,908 in costs to create and attach the required labels.
CNG and hydrogen vehicle/container labeling added
NHTSA includes labels for compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and containers (service pressures 3,000 and 3,600 psi) and compressed hydrogen vehicles and containers in the collection. The agency estimates annual manufacturer burdens of: CNG vehicles 74 hours and $10,839; CNG containers 200 hours and $38,772; hydrogen vehicles 10 hours and $2,842; and hydrogen containers 10 hours and $8,143.
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