Interpretation ID: aiam1196
Director of Training and Publications
DPD Mfg. Co.
Inc.
Box 18327 Serna Sta.
San Antonio
TX 78286;
Dear Mr. Hunter: This is in response to your letter of July 31, 1973, in which you aske our opinion as to the effect of Standard 208 upon your vehicle air conditioner installations.; Standard 208, *Occupant Crash Protection*, for the next few year allows manufacturers the option of providing either seat belts or passive protection systems, of which the air cushion is presently the most widely considered, in various combinations. The decision as to when passive protection would become mandatory has not yet been made.; The passive protection requirements of Standard 208 are measured wit instrumented dummies, and the standard does not specifically regulate the method by which manufacturers provide the protection in the various crash tests. The way a manufacturer chooses to meet the standard, including the arrangement of the components of the vehicle interior, is thus left to his own discretion and the NHTSA does not offer opinions as to particular vehicle designs.; The 'vacuum advance system' you refer to evidently refers to the ai pollution control programs of the Environmental Protection Agency. That agency's address is Washington, D. C. 20460.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel