[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 161 (Monday, August 21, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 43491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20675]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. 95-71; Notice 1]


Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.; Receipt of Application for Decision 
of Inconsequential Noncompliance

    Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (Bridgestone/Firestone) of Nashville, 
Tennessee, has determined that some of its tires fail to comply with 
the labeling requirements of 49 CFR 571.119, Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, ``New Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles 
Other Than Passenger Cars,'' and has filed an appropriate report 
pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, ``Defect and Noncompliance Reports.'' 
Bridgestone/Firestone has also applied to be exempted from the 
notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301--``Motor 
Vehicle Safety'' on the basis that the noncompliance is inconsequential 
to motor vehicle safety.
    This notice of receipt of an application is published under 49 
U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 and does not represent any agency decision or 
other exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the application.
    In FMVSS No. 119, Paragraph S6.5(b) specifies that each tire shall 
be marked with ``[t]he tire identification number required by Part 574 
[Tire Identification and Recordkeeping] of this chapter.'' In Part 
574.5, Paragraphs (a) through (d) contain information which must be 
placed on the tire. Paragraphs (a) through (c) contain information 
relating to the identification of the manufacturer and tire size. 
Paragraph (d) contains information relating to the specification of a 
code for the date of manufacture. Paragraph (d) states that the date 
code ``shall immediately follow'' the information specified in 
Paragraphs (a) through (c).
    During the period of July 17, 1994 through April 24, 1995, 
Bridgestone/Firestone produced 19,563 tires which had incorrect serial 
numbers. The sizes of the subject tires are 8.25-20, 9.00-20, 10.00-20, 
and 11.00-20. In the incorrect serial numbers, the date code is at the 
beginning of the number rather than at the end, as required. The tires 
are labeled as ``384 V52JEFD'' instead of the required ``V52JEFD 384.'' 
The date code is ``384.''
    Bridgestone/Firestone supports its application for inconsequential 
noncompliance with the following:

    First, all tires manufactured in the affected size/type meet all 
requirements of Standard 119 except tire markings pertaining to 
[S6.5(b)].
    Second, if there would be a need for the consumer or 
manufacturer representative (BFS) to read the serial, sufficient 
information exists to define the manufacturing location as 
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Mexico City, Mexico. This situation has 
been reviewed with our Registration company and can be adequately 
handled.
    Thirdly, a principal need for tire serials is identification for 
recall purposes. In the event of any future recall of these tires, 
the recall letter would explain the transposed marking.

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments on the application of Bridgestone/Firestone described above. 
Comments should refer to the docket number and be submitted to: Docket 
Section, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room 5109, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. It is requested but not 
required that six copies be submitted.
    All comments received before the close of business on the closing 
date indicated below will be considered. The application and supporting 
materials, and all comments received after the closing date, will also 
be filed and will be considered to the extent possible. When the 
application is granted or denied, the notice will be published in the 
Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.
    Comment closing date: September 20, 1995.

(15 U.S.C. 1417; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8)

    Issued on: August 16, 1995.
Barry Felrice,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 95-20675 Filed 8-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M