Interpretation ID: aiam3362
Services Coordinator
Interregional Services Corporation
2021 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
MN 55413;
Dear Mr. Lundin: This is in response to your letter of September 5, 1980, asking whethe there is a Federal bumper standard applicable to trucks, and who is responsible for installation of the rear bumper on a truck manufactured in two or more stages. You also inquire whether a truck without a rear bumper is considered a completed vehicle for purposes of Federal regulations, and whether a truck with a frame rail extending beyond the rear end of the vehicle body would violate Federal standards.; The Part 581 Bumper Standard (49 CFR Part 581) applies only t passenger motor vehicles other than multipurpose passenger vehicles. Thus, there is no Federal bumper standard applicable to trucks, and Federal regulations do not impose responsibility for bumper installation on any party in the chain of manufacture.; Part 568, Vehicles Manufactured in Two or More Stages, define 'completed vehicle' as a vehicle that requires no further manufacturing operations to perform its intended function, other than the addition of readily attachable components (49 CFR S 568.3). Since the vehicle referred to in your letter apparently is capable of performing its intended function without addition of a bumper, the absence of a bumper would not be relevant in determining the vehicle's final-stage manufacturer for purposes of compliance and certification of compliance with Federal motor vehicle safety standards (49 CFR SS 567.5 and 568.6).; At the present time, there are no Federal standards which prohibit th extension of a frame rail beyond the rear end of a truck body. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering proposal of a regulation which would require protective devices to reduce vehicle penetration under the rear ends of heavy trucks and trailers.; Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel