[Federal Register: August 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 160)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51399-51400]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19au04-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
49 CFR Parts 571 and 574
[Docket No. NHTSA-04-17917]
RIN 2127-AJ36
Tire Safety Information; Correction
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Correcting amendments.
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SUMMARY: On June 3, 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) published a final rule; response to the
petitions for reconsideration of a final rule on tire safety
information published on November 18, 2002. We inadvertently omitted
regulatory text related to several issues raised by petitioners. This
document corrects these omissions.
DATES: Effective September 1, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Feygin, Office of Chief
Counsel (Telephone: 202-366-2992) (Fax: 202-366-3820), 400 7th, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to a final rule on tire safety
information published on November 18, 2002 (67 FR 69600), we received a
request for an interpretation asking whether laser etching of the date
code portion of the Tire Identification Number (TIN) is permitted.\1\
Specifically, S5.5 of FMVSS No. 139 requires that each new pneumatic
tire for light vehicles must be ``marked'' with the TIN in accordance
with 49 CFR 574.5. In responding to this request, the agency issued a
letter of interpretation indicating that 49 CFR 574.5 permitted laser
etching of the date code portion of the TIN, as ``long as it occurred
in-line, i.e., as part of the manufacturing process of the tire.'' We
also indicated in that letter that in responding to petitions for
reconsideration of the November 2002 tire safety information final
rule, we would amend 49 CFR 574.5 to codify the interpretation.\2\
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\1\ See http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf86/245047_web.pdf \2\ See http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/interps/files/firestonelaser-2.html._____________________________________-.
We inadvertently omitted the codifying amendment from the response
to the petitions for reconsideration published on June 3, 2004. In
order to avoid ambiguities associated with defining ``in-line'' or
``part of the manufacturing process,'' this correcting amendment
includes a time limit within which the date code can be laser etched
into the tire.
In addition to omitting the codifying amendment, we inadvertently
omitted making certain changes to the regulatory text discussed in the
preamble on page 31315.
Correcting the omission of the codifying amendment will not impose
or relax any additional substantive requirements or burdens on
manufacturers. Therefore, NHTSA finds for good cause that any notice
and opportunity for comment on these correcting amendments are not
necessary.
0
In FR Doc. 04-11963 published on June 3, 2004 (69 FR 31306), make the
following corrections:
PART 571--[CORRECTED]
0
1. On page 31317, second column, amendatory instruction 2 is corrected
as follows:
``2. Section 571.110 is amended by revising paragraph S4.2.2, S4.3,
S4.3.4(c), adding paragraph S4.3.5, and revising Figures 1 and 2 at the
end of Sec. 571.110, to read as follows:''
[[Page 51400]]
Sec. 571.110 [CORRECTED]
0
2. On page 31317, in the second column, add paragraph S4.2.2 to read as
follows:
``S4.2.2 The vehicle normal load on the tire shall not be greater
than the test load used in the high speed performance test specified in
S5.5 of Sec. 571.109, or S7.4 of Sec. 571.119, as appropriate, for
that tire.''
* * * * *
0
3. On page 31317, in the third column, paragraph (d) is corrected as
follows:
``(d) Tire size designation, indicated by the headings ``size'' or
``original tire size'' or ``original size,'' and ``spare tire'' or
``spare,'' for the tires installed at the time of the first purchase
for purposes other than resale;''
0
4. On page 31318, in the first column, following the first paragraph,
add paragraph S4.3.4(c) to read as follows:
``S4.3.4 (c) The tire load rating specified in a submission by an
individual manufacturer, pursuant to S4.1.1(a) of Sec. 571.139 or
contained in one of the publications described in S4.1.1(b) of Sec.
571.139, for the tire size at that inflation pressure is not less than
the vehicle maximum load and the vehicle normal load on the tire for
those vehicle loading conditions.''
* * * * *
PART 574--[CORRECTED]
0
5. On page 31320, third column, amendatory instruction 6 and the
authority citation for part 574 are corrected as follows:
``6. The authority citation for Part 574 continues to read as
follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, 30166;
delegation of authority at CFR 1.50.''
Sec. 574.5 [Corrected]
0
6. On page 31320, third column, amendatory instruction 7 and the
amendments to Sec. 574.5 are revised to read as follows:
``7. Section 574.5 is amended by removing the first two sentences
of the introductory text and adding four sentences in their place, and
by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 574.5 Tire identification requirements.
Each tire manufacturer shall conspicuously label on one sidewall of
each tire it manufactures, except tires manufactured exclusively for
mileage-contract purchasers, or non-pneumatic tires or non-pneumatic
tire assemblies, by permanently molding into or onto the sidewall, in
the manner and location specified in Figure 1, a tire identification
number containing the information set forth in paragraphs (a) through
(d) of this section. However, at the option of the manufacturer, the
information contained in paragraph (d) of this section may, instead of
being permanently molded, be laser etched into or onto the sidewall in
the location specified in Figure 1, during the manufacturing process of
the tire and not later than 24 hours after the tire is removed from the
mold. Each tire retreader, except tire retreaders who retread tires
solely for their own use, shall conspicuously label one sidewall of
each tire it retreads by permanently molding or branding into or onto
the sidewall, in the manner and location specified in Figure 2, a tire
identification number containing the information set forth in
paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section. However, at the option of
the retreader, the information set forth in paragraph (d) of this
section may, instead of being permanently molded or branded, be laser
etched into or onto the sidewall in the location specified in Figure 2,
during the retreading of the tire and not later than 24 hours after the
application of the new tread. * * *
* * * * *
(d) Fourth grouping. The fourth grouping, consisting of four
numerical symbols, must identify the week and year of manufacture. The
first two symbols must identify the week of the year by using ``01''
for the first full calendar week in each year, ``02'' for the second
full calendar week, and so on. The calendar week runs from Sunday
through the following Saturday. The final week of each year may include
not more than 6 days of the following year. The third and fourth
symbols must identify the year. Example: 0101 means the 1st week of
2001, or the week beginning Sunday, January 7, 2001, and ending
Saturday, January 13, 2001. The symbols signifying the date of
manufacture shall immediately follow the optional descriptive code
(paragraph (c) of this section). If no optional descriptive code is
used, the symbols signifying the date of manufacture must be placed in
the area shown in Figures 1 and 2 of this section for the optional
descriptive code.''
* * * * *
Issued: August 13, 2004.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 04-18950 Filed 8-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P