RMA seeks changes in NHTSA early warning proposal

WASHINGTON (Feb. 4)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should exempt the tire industry from including 'field reports' in "early warning" reporting requirements for potential defects, the Rubber Manufacturers Association said. "The term `field report' is not well-defined across the tire industry, and can frequently include commercially sensitive but non-safety-related statements," the RMA said in comments to NHTSA about its early warning proposed rule. The association also urged the agency to postpone certain reporting requirements and to make private-brand tire distributors "subject to the same reporting requirements as those imposed on companies that actually manufacture tires."