Interpretation ID: aiam1631
18225 Burnham Avenue
Lansing
IL 60438;
Dear Mr. Feikema: This is in reply to your letter of September 30, 1974, requestin copies of Federal laws and regulations dealing with the manufacture and sale of automobiles, and asking specifically for information regarding the responsibility of persons who modify for resale vehicles which, prior to modification, conform fully to Federal requirements.; I am enclosing a copy of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safet Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 1381 *et seq*.) and the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (15 U.S.C. S 1901 *et seq*.). These two laws contain this agency's authority to regulate the manufacture of motor vehicles. The former statute has very recently been amended but we do not as yet have copies of the amended language for distribution. I have also enclosed information on where you may obtain copies of the Federal motor vehicle safety standards and regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency administers laws and regulations which deal with vehicle pollution. Questions regarding these requirements should be directed to Mr. Eric Stork, Environmental Protection Agency, Room 1219, East Tower, 401 'M' Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. In addition, there is legislation of which you are no doubt aware which require manufacturers to affix the retail price and other information to new vehicles. This legislation can be found at 15 U.S.C. S 1231 *et seq*.; With respect to your question regarding persons who modify vehicles the NHTSA has issued requirements which apply specifically to this situation. Under Section 114 of the Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. S1403) and regulations issued thereunder (49 CFR Parts 567, 568), manufacturers of motor vehicles must certify each vehicle's conformity to all applicable safety standards by affixing to the vehicle a label containing certain specified information. Persons who modify vehicles in the manner you describe before their sale to the user are considered to be vehicle alterers in these regulations, and are required to conform to requirements set forth in 49 CFR S567.7 and S568.8.; If you have further questions of a specific nature after you hav reviewed the applicable requirements we will be happy to answer them for you.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Acting Chief Counsel