Interpretation ID: aiam2472
1136 Gail Lane
Sleepy Hollow
IL 60118;
Dear Mr. Bufkin: This responds to your November 12, 1976, question whether a tire bran name owner is required by S 574.7(b) of Part 574, *Tire Identification and Recordkeeping*, to establish and maintain specified purchaser information on its tires if the distributor or dealer fails to provide that information as specified by S 574.8 of the regulation. You also ask whether a tire registration form with dimensions other than those specified in Figure 3 of the regulation may be provided to tire distributors and dealers.; Section 158(b) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (1 U.S.C. S 1418(b)) mandates the tire manufacurer's (sic) (including brand name owner's) responsibility to establish and maintain the purchaser information, independent of the distributor's or dealer's cooperation:; >>>S 158(a)(1) * * * * * (b) Every manufacturer of motor vehicle or tires shall cause th establishment and maintenance of records of the name and address of the first purchaser of each motor vehicle and tire produced by such manufacturer * * *<<<; Thus, the brand name owner's responsibility is a statutory one independent of any interpretation of Part 574.; With regard to the size of the tire registration form, S 574.7(a permits the use of any size form unless a dealer requests forms that conform to the universal format set forth in Figure 3. The agency has interpreted the requirement for provision of the universal format to not apply in the case of a dealer that sells only one brand of tire.; Sincerely, Frank A. Berndt, Acting Chief Counsel