[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35184-35185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14693]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 575

[Docket No. NHTSA-03-15366]


Consumer Information Regulations; Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
Standards; Correction

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Correcting amendment.

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SUMMARY: On November 15, 1991, the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA) published a final rule amending the treadwear 
testing procedures of the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards 
(UTQGS) to permit the use of front-wheel drive passenger cars, as well 
as light trucks, and MPVs. Previously, UTQGS specified testing of tires 
using only rear-wheel drive passenger cars. The effective date of the 
amendment was December 16, 1991. However, this new language was later 
inadvertently deleted in an unrelated amendment.
    This document corrects NHTSA's inadvertent deletion of that 
regulatory language.

DATES: These amendments to the final rule are effective July 14, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Feygin, Office of Chief 
Counsel (Telephone: (202) 366-2992) (Fax: (202) 366-3820), 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards 
(UTQGS) sets forth procedures for treadwear testing in 49 CFR 
575.104(e). The purpose of the treadwear grades is to aid consumers in 
the selection of new tires by informing them of the relative amount of 
expected tread life for each tire offered for sale. This allows the 
tire purchaser to compare passenger car tires based on tread life.
    On November 15, 1991, the agency amended section 575.104(e)(1)(iv) 
of the treadwear grading procedures to permit treadwear convoys to 
consist of front-wheel drive passenger cars and light trucks, vans and 
multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) (or any combination thereof) (56 
FR 57988). Previously, the regulations had specified that only rear-
wheel drive passenger cars could be used in the testing to determine 
treadwear grades.
    In drafting the November 15, 1991 amendment, NHTSA inadvertently 
overlooked the fact that a June 11, 1991 final rule; response to a 
petition for reconsideration amended the same section of the regulation 
with a later effective date of September 1, 1993. As a result, the new 
regulatory language was later inadvertently deleted from the CFR.
    NHTSA is publishing this correcting amendment to reinstate 
regulation language allowing for use of front-wheel drive vehicles, 
light trucks, and MPVs in treadwear convoys that was inadvertently 
deleted.
    This amendment to the final rule is effective 30 days after the 
date of publication in the Federal Register. Remedying this error on 
the part of the agency will not impose any additional substantive 
requirements or burdens on manufacturers. Therefore, NHTSA finds for 
good cause that any notice of proposed rulemaking and opportunity for 
comment on these amendments are not necessary.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 575

    Consumer protection, Labeling, Motor vehicle safety, Motor 
vehicles, Rubber and rubber products, Tires.

PART 575--CONSUMER INFORMATION REGULATIONS

0
Accordingly, 49 CFR Part 575 is corrected by making the following 
correcting amendment:
0
1. The authority citation for Part 575 of Title 49 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.


[[Page 35185]]



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2. Section 575.104 is corrected by revising paragraph (e)(1)(iv) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  575.104  Standard No. 104 Uniform tire quality grading standards.

* * * * *
    (e) Treadwear grading conditions and procedures--(1) Conditions.
* * * * *
    (iv) A test convoy consists of two or four passenger cars, light 
trucks, or MPVs, each with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.
* * * * *

    Issued: June 5, 2003.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 03-14693 Filed 6-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P