Interpretation ID: aiam2434
President
Gans Tire Co.
Inc.
1003 Broadway
Chelsea
MA 02150;
Dear Mr. Gans: This responds to your October 12, 1976, question whether th manufacturer recordkeeping requirements of S 574.7 of NHTSA regulations (49 CFR Part 574) may be fulfilled by a tire importer by one or both of the following arrangements: the purchaser records of tires manufactured by company B abroad and imported by Gans would be maintained by company A, the purchaser records of tires manufactured by Company B abroad and imported by Gans would be compiled by Gans but maintained by company B.; Either of these arrangements is acceptable under the language of 574.7(b), which provides that '[e]ach tire manufacturer shall record and maintain or have recorded and maintained for him, the information specified. . . .' this language permits the designation of a person other than the tire manufacturer to maintain the required records. Despite this designation, of course, the ultimate responsibility for maintenance would lie with the importer that qualifies as the manufacturer in the situation you describe.; Sincerely, Frank A. Berndt, Acting Chief Counsel