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

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 28 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 6937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3365]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-99-5014]


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

    Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. (Bridgestone) has determined that 
certain 1998 tires of various sizes and brands are not in full 
compliance with 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 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.
    Paragraph S6.5  of FMVSS No. 119 states that each tire shall comply 
with the labeling requirements of 49 CFR Part 574 ``Tire Identification 
and Recordkeeping,'' such as the date code. Part 574, Tire 
Identification and Recordkeeping, establishes: (1) Tire 
Identification--the methodology that tire manufacturers, retreaders, 
new tire brand name owners, and retread tire brand name owners must use 
to identify tires for use on motor vehicles; and (2) recordkeeping--the 
methodology that tire dealers and distributors must use to record, on 
registration forms, the name and address of the tire(s) purchaser, 
along with the proper tire identification numbers.
    On December 12, 1998, Bridgestone produced approximately 1,389 
tires with an incorrect date code. The affected tires were marked 
incorrectly with a date code of ``509,'' instead of the correct date 
code of ``508.'' The tires were manufactured at Bridgestone's Oklahoma 
City Plant.
    Bridgestone supports its application for inconsequential 
noncompliance by stating that all of tires manufactured in the affected 
sizes and brands meet all of the requirements, except the correct date 
code, of FMVSS No. 119. Bridgestone also noted that the primary purpose 
of the date code is to facilitate recalls. It stated that it would 
include the 509 code in any future recall of tires manufactured in its 
Oklahoma City plant during the 50th week of 1998.
    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: March 15, 1999.

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

    Issued on: February 5, 1999.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Acting Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 99-3365 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P