Tire testing standards could appear as early as June 23

WASHINGTON (June 20)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could issue new rules requiring revised safety, performance and testing standards for new passenger and light truck tires as early as June 23, according to sources close to the issue. Current tire performance standards have not been revised since 1968, and Congress mandated such a revision in the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act in 2000. While retreaders and specialty tire manufacturers fear they could be driven out of business if forced to comply with the new tests, the Rubber Manufacturers Association estimates the tests as originally proposed might prove too stringent for 40 percent of all current passenger tires and more than half of light truck tires. "Whether this will be the case in the final rule, we have no idea," an RMA spokesman said.