Interpretation ID: nht71-5.33

DATE: 12/27/71

FROM: R. L. CARTER -- NHTSA; SIGNATURE BY E. DRIVER

TO: American Safety Belt Council

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Thank you for your letter of December 3, 1971, regarding seat belt buckle requirements.

Your interpretation that push-button buckles are not mandatory on seat belts offered for sale as replacement parts after January 1, 1972, is correct. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection, specifies that seat belts, installed in passenger cars after January 1, 1972, must have latch mechanisms that release by push-button action. It does not apply to replacement belts.

If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.