Interpretation ID: 1985-03.25

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 08/06/85

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Mr. William Pesce; NHTSA

TO: Mr. William Pesce

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Thank you for your May 18, 1985 letter inquiring about the existence of any Federal safety requirements applicable to your projected sale of colored windshield wiper blades.

Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, this agency has issued Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 104, Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems, applicable to new motor vehicles. While this standard does not regulate wiper color, it does, among other things, require that a wiping system clear a minimum percentage of a vehicle's windshield.

In addition, Standard No. 107, Reflecting Surfaces, also applies to new motor vehicles. This standard specifies reflecting surface requirements for certain components, including windshield wiper blades, in the driver's field of view. Its purpose is to reduce the likelihood that unacceptable glare from reflecting surfaces will hinder safe and normal operation of the vehicle.

If a new vehicle equipped with your blade did not comply with Standard No. 104 or Standard No. 107 due to some aspect of that blade, the sale of that car to the public would be a violation of the prohibition in section 108(a)(1) (A) of the Act against the sale of noncomplying vehicles.

As to used vehicles, you should be aware that section 108(a)(2)(A) of the Act prohibits manufacturers, distributors, dealers and vehicle repair businesses from knowingly rendering inoperative equipment or elements of design installed on a vehicle under Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Care should be taken that the installation of your product would not have that effect. A rendering inoperative might occur if, for example, your blade were not large enough to enable the wiping system to clear a sufficient area of the windshield. We urge you therefore to ensure that the substitution of your blade for an original equipment blade provided by a vehicle manufacturer would enable the wiping system to continue to perform as required by Standard No. 104, and would not produce unacceptable glare in the driver's field of view, as required by Standard No. 107.

I hope this information is helpful.

ENCLS.

OCC-0747

Department of Transportation

May 18, 1985 We propose to offer for sale to the public a colored windshield wiper blade.

Our blade attaches to existing windshield wiper arms.

It does not alter in any way the speed or rythem of an operating wondshield wiper.

It is not made of floresent, or as they are called HOT colors nor is it reflective in any way.

We have been unable to find any safty restrictions which would apply to our product. If such restriction do, or do not exist we would appreciate receiving this information by return mail in the envelope provided.

William Pesce B P Origionals