TIA responds to NHTSA TIN consultation

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) reports that it has fed back its views to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Docket Office regarding a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for tyre identification and record keeping.

The consultation refers to NHTSA plans to expand the first part of the tyre identification number (TIN) from a 2-symbol plant code to a 3-symbol plant code. Like the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), TIA recognizes the need of adding an additional symbol to the plant code because NHTSA is running out of unique codes to assign to new tyre plants. TIA is, however, concerned that the proposed new requirements would have a significant financial impact on the industry with no resulting safety benefits.

In the comments, TIA goes on record in support of amendments to the NPRM that have been proposed by RMA including eliminating the proposed requirement for a 50mm blank space after the TIN, changing the lead-time of five years to a 10-year lead-time for all existing moulds, making changes to other regulatory requirements and the global tyre regulation for light duty tyres, and making a technical correction to clarify the requirements for mileage-contract tyres.

In the comments, TIA executive vice president Roy Littlefield urges NHTSA to work with RMA and its manufacturing members and states, “…on this issue, the industry speaks with one voice.”