WASHINGTON (June 3)—Tire manufacturers and retreaders got at least some of what they wanted from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in terms of new tire labeling requirements.
Answering petitions from the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the Tire Industry Association and others, NHTSA granted TIA's request to exclude retreaders from the requirement to mold the tire identification number on both sides of the tire. The agency clarified the information requirements for vehicle placards—such as allowing the inclusion of bar codes, ID numbers and tire load indications—and changed the effective compliance date to a phase-in between September 2005 and September 2007. NHTSA didn't remove the requirement to mold the TIN on "the intended outboard sidewall," as the RMA requested, but did give tire makers until Sept. 1, 2009, to comply.
An RMA spokesman said the association still was studying the NHTSA document, but TIA expressed pleasure at its exemption. "We commend NHTSA for realizing there is no need to force retreaders through the expense of these labeling requirements," said Becky MacDicken, TIA director of government affairs. The agency issued its final rule on tire labeling Nov. 18, 2002, as part of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act.