[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 23316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11566]



[[Page 23316]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2001-9548; Notice 1]


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

    Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (Bridgestone) has determined that 
approximately 442,479 tires of various sizes and types, do not meet the 
labeling requirements mandated by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
(FMVSS) No. 109, ``New Pneumatic Tires.''
    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h), Bridgestone has 
petitioned for a determination that this noncompliance is 
inconsequential to motor vehicle safety and has filed an appropriate 
report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, ``Defect and Noncompliance 
Reports.''
    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.
    The petition affects multiple size and type tires produced in 
Bridgestone's Wilson, North Carolina plant during DOT week 53 Year 2000 
and DOT week 01 Year 2001. The 442,479 affected tires were mis-marked 
with the incorrect DOT week/year in the DOT serial, the numbering 
scheme designated for tire manufacture date.
    Bridgestone states that the noncompliance is inconsequential to 
motor vehicle safety because all affected tires meet all requirements 
of 49 CFR 571.109, except paragraph S54.3. Also, according to 
Bridgestone, the date marked on the tires is incorrect but it can be 
used to identify the tires in the event of a recall, which is the 
primary purpose for the requirement of the date marking.
    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments on the application described above. Comments should refer to 
the docket number and be submitted to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC, 20590. It is requested that two 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: June 7, 2001.

(49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 
501.8)

    Issued on: May 3, 2001.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-11566 Filed 5-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P