67 FR 232 pgs. 72026-72027 - Michelin North America, Inc., Receipt of Application for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Type: NOTICEVolume: 67Number: 232Pages: 72026 - 72027
Docket number: [Docket No. NHTSA 2002-13895; Notice 1]
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-30522 Filed 12-2-02; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA 2002-13895; Notice 1]
Michelin North America, Inc., Receipt of Application for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Michelin North America, Inc., (Michelin) has determined that approximately 750 size 215/55R16 Energy MXV4 Plus tires 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), Michelin 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.
FMVSS No. 109 (S4.3(e)) requires that each tire shall have permanently molded into or onto both sidewalls the actual number of plies in the sidewall, and the actual number of plies in the tread area if different.
The noncompliance with S4.3(e) relates to the sidewall markings. Michelin's Ardmore, Oklahoma plant produced approximately 750 tires with incorrect markings during the period from March 13, 2002, through March 27, 2002. The tires were marked: "Tread Plies: 1 Polyester + 2 Steel + 1 Polyamide, Sidewall Plies: 1 Polyester." The correct marking required by FMVSS No. 109 is as follows: "Tread Plies: 2 Polyester + 2 Steel + 1 Polyamide, Sidewall Plies: 2 Polyester.
"Michelin stated that the noncompliant tires were actually constructed with more sidewall and tread plies than indicated on the sidewall marking (2 tread and sidewall plies rather than 1). Therefore, this noncompliance is particularly unlikely to have an adverse safety impact and is clearly inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. The noncompliant tires meet or exceed all performance requirements of FMVSS No. 109 and will have no impact on the operational performance or safety of vehicles on which these tires are mounted.
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: January 2, 2003.
(49 U.S.C. 301118, 301120; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8)
Issued on: November 26, 2002.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 02-30522 Filed 12-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P