Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 1995 / Rules and Regulations 8199

First, the final regulations removed

§ 251.72; however, the section was

incorrectly cited as § 3251.7.

Second, § 259.3(d) was amended to

state that if a joint claim to digital audio

recording royalties (DART) is filed, it

shall include a concise statement of the

authorization for the filing of the joint

claim and the name of each claimant to

the joint claim. However, as published,

§ 259.3(d) was grammatically incorrect.

Accordingly, the publication on

December 7, 1994, of the final

regulations is corrected as follows:

§ 251.72 [Corrected]

On page 63042, in the second column,

‘‘§ 3251.7 [Removed]’’ is corrected to

read, ‘‘§ 251.72 [Removed]’’.

§ 259.3 [Corrected]

On page 63043, in the second column,

in § 259.3, paragraph (d), after the

phrase ‘‘If the claim is a joint claim,’’

and before the phrase ‘‘a concise

statement’’, the words ‘‘it shall include’’

are added.

Dated: February 7, 1995.

Marybeth Peters,

Register of Copyrights.

[FR Doc. 95–3498 Filed 2–10–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 1410–33–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. 85–15; Notice 14]

RIN 2127–AE07

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

Standards; Lamps, Reflective Devices

and Associated Equipment

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Response to petitions for

reconsideration; final rule.

SUMMARY: This notice responds to

petitions for reconsideration of the final

rule published on January 12, 1993, that

added minimum photometric values for

headlamps at test points above the

horizontal. The notice corrects minor

errors that appeared in the final rule,

and others which have been brought to

NHTSA’s attention. The notice also

deletes photometric requirements that

no longer apply to headlighting systems

on vehicles manufactured on and after

September 1, 1994.

DATES: The final rule is effective March

15, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kenneth O. Hardie, Office of

Rulemaking, NHTSA (202–366–6987).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

January 12, 1993, NHTSA published a

final rule adopting 49 CFR part 564,

Replaceable Light Source Information,

as a repository for information on new

types of replaceable light sources for

headlamps, and amending 49 CFR

571.108 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices, and

Associated Equipment to ensure that the

light sources in part 564 are designed to

meet certain performance requirements

of the standard, and to amend the

headlighting requirements by adding

minimum photometric values at two

zones and two test points above the

horizontal (58 FR 3856). Petitions for

reconsideration of part 564 have been

received, and will be responded to

separately and at a later date. This

notice responds to the portion of the

rule that amended Standard No. 108.

No petitions were received asking for

reconsideration of the amendments to

Standard No. 108. However, Ford Motor

Company has called the agency’s

attention to several errors in the

amendments to the standard. The

agency has noted additional errors.

Ford commented that SAE J579

DEC84 should not yet be deleted from

Figure 26 as compliance with those

specifications for certain light sources is

permitted through August 31, 1994. The

agency concurs, but the passage of time

has rendered this comment moot.

Because September 1, 1994 has now

passed, by this notice NHTSA is

removing from Standard No. 108 those

provisions that no longer apply to

headlighting systems on vehicles

manufactured after August 31, 1994.

Principally, these amendments remove

references to Tables 1 and 2 of SAE J579

DEC84, and Figures 15 and 17, as well

as removing the Figures themselves.

Figure 26 is revised to reflect these

changes. These amendments affect S7.1,

and portions of S7.3, and S7.4 of

Standard No. 108.

In Ford’s view, the amended text of

paragraphs S7.5(d) (2) and (3) does not

appear to reflect NHTSA’s intent stated

in the preamble for photometric

requirements of headlamp systems

using dual filament light sources, i.e.,

that such headlamps be permitted to

meet Table 1 of SAE J579 DEC84 or

Figure 27, or alternatively Figures 15/

15A or 17/17A. NHTSA concurs that the

text should be revised to make clear that

the agency is allowing optional

compliance with Figure 27 or Figure

15A as well as with Figure 17A (SAE

J579, and Figures 15 and 17 now being

deleted). To avoid confusion with the

deleted Figures, NHTSA is not presently

redesignating Figures 15A and 17A as

Figures 15 and Figure 17, although it

may do so in the future.

The following additional corrections

are also made. The operand ‘‘+/¥’’ is

added in S7.7(a) in the last sentence,

preceding ‘‘1 degree 00 minutes.’’ In

paragraph S7.7(j), the reference to

subparagraph ‘‘(e)’’ is properly to ‘‘(g)’’.

In Figure 17A, the correct sixth upper

beam test point is ‘‘H–9L and 9R.’’

Further, in the version of Standard

No. 108 appearing in Title 49, Code of

Federal Regulations, Parts 400–999

revised as of October 1, 1993, the titles

of paragraphs S7.5 and S7.7 are not

underlined, and a value is given in

paragraph S11 as ‘‘12.8V +/20mV’’. This

notice provides an underline for the

titles and a correction of S11 to ‘‘12.8V

+/¥20mV.’’

Ford noticed that when the final rule

removed paragraph S7.4(d) and

redesignated the succeeding lettered

paragraphs, cross-references in S7.5(i)

and S7.6.2.1 to paragraph S7.4(i) were

not changed to S7.4(h). NHTSA has

noticed that its amendments of S8.7

Humidity of March 11, 1991 (56 FR

10185) removing the necessity for a

photometric test following completion

of the humidity test were not

accompanied by a corresponding

amendment removing S8.7 from the list

of tests required under S8.1 Photometry.

This notice corrects the errors, and

several other minor ones that appear in

the CFR text of Standard No. 108, such

as an erroneous identification in

S5.1.1.6 of SAE J222 ‘‘September 1970’’

which is correctly December 1970.

Effective Date

Because these amendments are

corrective in nature and impose no

additional burden upon any person,

notice and comment upon are not

required under the Administrative

Procedure Act, and it is found, for good

cause shown, that an effective date

earlier than 180 days after issuance is in

the public interest. The amendments

will become effective 30 days after

publication in the Federal Register.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures

The Office of Management and Budget

has determined that it will not review

this rulemaking under Executive Order

12866. It has been determined that the

rulemaking is not significant under

Department of Transportation regulatory

policies and procedures. Since the rule

does not have any significant cost or
8200 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 1995 / Rules and Regulations

other impacts, preparation of a full

regulatory evaluation is not warranted.

National Environmental Policy Act

NHTSA has analyzed this rule for the

purposes of the National Environmental

Policy Act. It is not anticipated that the

rule will have a significant effect upon

the environment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The agency has also considered the

impacts of this rule in relation to the

Regulatory Flexibility Act. Based on the

discussion above, I certify that this rule

will not have a significant economic

impact upon a substantial number of

small entities. Accordingly, no

regulatory flexibility analysis has been

prepared. Manufacturers of motor

vehicles, headlamps, and light sources,

those affected by the rule, are generally

not small businesses within the

meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility

Act. Further, small organizations and

governmental jurisdictions will not be

significantly affected by these minor

amendments.

Executive Order 12612 (Federalism)

This rule has also been analyzed in

accordance with the principles and

criteria contained in Executive Order

12612, and NHTSA has determined that

this rule does not have sufficient

federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Civil Justice Reform

This final rule does not have any

retroactive effect. Under 49 U.S.C.

30103 (formerly section 103(d) of the

National Traffic and Motor Vehicle

Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1392(d)),

whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety

standard is in effect, a state may not

adopt or maintain a safety standard

applicable to the same aspect of

performance which is not identical to

the Federal standard. Forty-nine U.S.C.

30161 (formerly Section 105 of the Act

(15 U.S.C. 1394)) sets forth a procedure

for judicial review of final rules

establishing, amending or revoking

Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

That section does not require

submission of a petition for

reconsideration or other administrative

proceedings before parties may file suit

in court.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor

vehicles.

PART 571—FEDERAL MOTOR

VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

In consideration of the foregoing, 49

CFR part 571 is amended as follows:

1. The authority citation for Part 571

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30111, 30162, 30115;

delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

§ 571.108 [Amended]

2. In paragraph S5.1.1.6 of Section

571.108, the phrase ‘‘September 1970’’

is revised to read ‘‘December 1970.’’

3. Section 571.108 is amended by

revising paragraphs S7.1, S7.3.2(a)(3),

S7.3.3(a), S7.3.4, S7.3.5(a), and S7.3.6(a)

to read as follows:

§ 571.108 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

No. 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices, and

Associated Equipment.

* * * * *

S7.1 Each passenger car,

multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck,

and bus manufactured on or after

September 1, 1994, shall be equipped

with a headlighting system designed to

conform to the requirements of S7.3,

S7.4, S7.5, or S7.6.

* * * * *

S7.3.2 Type A headlighting system.

* * *

(a) * * *

(3) In paragraphs 4.5.2 and 5.1.6, the

words ‘‘Figure 28 of Motor Vehicle

Safety Standard No. 108’’ are

substituted for ‘‘Table 3’’.

* * * * *

S7.3.3. Type B headlighting system.

* * *

(a) The requirements of paragraphs

S7.3.2(a) through (c), except that Figure

27 is substituted for Table 3 in

paragraph S7.3.2(a)(3).

* * * * *

S7.3.4 Type C headlighting system.

A Type C headlighting system consists

of two Type 1C1 and two Type 2C1

headlamps and associated hardware,

which are designed to conform to the

requirements of paragraph S7.3.2(a)

through (d), except that Figure 28 is

substituted for Table 3 in paragraph

S7.3.2(a)(3).

S7.3.5 Type D headlighting system.

(a) A Type D headlighting system

consists of two Type 2D1 headlamps

and associated hardware, which are

designed to conform to the requirements

of paragraph S7.3.2(a) through (c),

except that Figure 27 is substituted for

Table 3 in paragraph S7.3.2(a)(3).

* * * * *

S7.3.6 Type E headlighting system.

(a) A Type E headlighting system

consists of two Type 2E1 headlamps

and associated hardware, which are

designed to conform to the requirements

of paragraph S7.3.2(a) through (c),

except that Figure 27 is substituted for

Table 3 in paragraph S7.3.2(a)(3).

* * * * *

4. In paragraph S7.3.7(b) of Section

571.108 remove the words ‘‘Figure 15

or’’.

5. In the heading of paragraph

S7.3.7(c) of Section 571.108 the

reference to ‘‘Peformance’’ is revised to

read ‘‘Performance’’.

6. In paragraphs S7.3.7(d) and

S7.3.7(h)(1) of section 571.108 the

reference to ‘‘Figure 15’’ is revised to

read ‘‘Figure 15A’’.

7. Paragraph S7.3.8(b) of Section

571.108 is amended by revising the last

sentence to read: ‘‘In paragraph 4.5.2,

the words ‘Figure 28’ are substituted for

the words ‘Table 3.’ ’’.

8. Paragraph S7.3.9(a) of Section

571.108 is revised to read: S7.3.9 Type

H Headlighting System.

* * * * *

(a) Paragraphs S7.3.8(a) through (d)

except that in paragraph S7.3.8(b),

Figure 27 is substituted for Table 3.

* * * * *

9. Paragraph S7.4 of Section 571.108

is amended by revising paragraphs

S7.4(a)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii), (a)(2)(i) and

(ii) and the first sentence of (a)(3) to

read as follows:

S7.4 Integral Beam Headlighting

System. * * *

(a) * * *

(1) * * *

(i) Figure 15A; or

(ii) Figure 15A except that the upper

beam test value at 21⁄2 D–V and 21⁄2 D–

12R and 12L, shall apply to the lower

beam headlamp and not to the upper

beam headlamp, and the upper beam

test point value at 11⁄2D–9R and 9L shall

be 1000, or

(iii) Figure 28.

(2) * * *

(i) Figure 17A; or

(ii) Figure 27.

(3) In a system in which there is more

than one beam contributor providing a

lower beam, and/or more than one beam

contributor providing an upper beam,

each beam contributor in the system

shall be designed to meet only the

photometric performance requirements

of Figure 15A based upon the following

mathematical expression: conforming

test point value=2 (Figure 15A test point

value)/total number of lower or upper

beam contributors for the vehicle, as

appropriate. * * *

* * * * *

10. and 11. Section 571.108 is

amended by removing the word

‘‘standardized’’ from the following

paragraphs:

(a) S7.5(a);

(b) S7.5(b);

(c) S7.5(f);

(d) S8.6;

12. Section 571.108 is amended by

revising paragraphs S7.5(d)(2)(i)(A)(1)
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 1995 / Rules and Regulations 8201

and (2), (d)(2)(ii)(A)(1) and (2),

(d)(3)(i)(A) and (B), (d)(3)(ii)(A) and (B),

(e)(2)(i)(A) and (B), (e)(2)(ii)(A) and (B),

(e)(3)(i) and (ii), and (i) to read as

follows:

S7.5 Replaceable Bulb Headlamp

Systems.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(2) * * *

(i) * * *

(A) * * *

(1) The lower beam requirements of

Figure 27 or Figure 17A if the light

sources in the headlamp system are any

combination of dual filament

replaceable light sources other than

Type HB2; or

(2) The lower beam requirements of

Figure 17A if the light sources are Type

HB2, or any combination of replaceable

light sources that include Type HB2; or

* * * * *

(ii) * * *

(A) * * *

(1) the upper beam requirements of

Figure 27 or Figure 17A if the light

sources in the headlamp system are any

combination of dual filament

replaceable light sources other than

Type HB2; or

(2) the upper beam requirements of

Figure 17A if the light sources are Type

HB2, or any combination of replaceable

light sources that include Type HB2; or

* * * * *

(3) * * *

(i) * * *

(A) The lower beam requirements of

Figure 27 or Figure 15A if the light

sources in the headlamp system are any

combination of dual filament light

sources other than Type HB2; or

(B) The lower beam requirements of

Figure 15A if the light sources are Type

HB2, or dual filament light sources

other than Type HB1 and Type HB5.

The lens of each such headlamp shall be

marked with the letter ‘‘L’’.

(ii) * * *

(A) The upper beam requirements of

Figure 27 or Figure 15A if the light

sources in the headlamp system are any

combination of dual filament light

sources other than Type HB2; or

(B) The upper beam requirements of

Figure 15A, if the light sources are Type

HB2, or dual filament light sources

other than Type HB1 and Type HB5.

The lens of each such headlamp shall be

marked with the letter ‘‘U’’.

(e) * * *

(2) * * *

(i) * * *

(A) By the outboard light source (or

the uppermost if arranged vertically)

designed to conform to the lower beam

requirements of Figure 17A; or

(B) By both light sources, designed to

conform to the upper beam

requirements of Figure 17A.

(ii) * * *

(A) By the inboard light source (or the

lower one if arranged vertically),

designed to conform to the upper beam

requirements of Figure 17A; or

(B) By both light sources, designed to

conform to the upper beam

requirements of Figure 17A.

(3) * * *

(i) The lower beam shall be produced

by the outboard lamp (or the upper one

if arranged vertically), designed to

confrom to the lower beam requirements

of Figure 15A. The lens of each such

headlamp shall be permanently marked

with the letter ‘‘L’’.

(ii) The upper beam shall be produced

by the inboard lamp (or the lower one

if arranged vertically), designed to

conform to the upper beam

requirements of Figure 15A. The lens of

each such headlamp shall be marked

with the letter ‘‘U’’.

* * * * *

(i) Each headlamp shall meet the

requirements of paragraphs S7.4(g) and

(h), except that the sentence in

paragraph (g) to verify sealing according

to section S8.9 Sealing does not apply.

13. In paragraph S7.6.2 of Section

571.108 the words ‘‘Figure 17’’ are

revised to read ‘‘Figure 17A’’.

14. In paragraph S7.6.2.1 of Section

571.108, the phrase ‘‘through (i)’’ is

revised to read ‘‘through (h).’’

15. In paragraph S7.6.3 of Section

571.108 the words ‘‘Figure 15’’ are

revised to read ‘‘Figure 15A’’ wherever

they appear.

16. Paragraph S7.7(a) of Section

571.108 is amended by revising the final

sentence to read: ‘‘A general tolerance

shall apply to Figure 3 as follows: +/¥

0.004 in. (0.10 mm) to all linear

dimensions and +/¥ l degree 00

minutes to all angular dimensions

except for referenced dimensions and

unless otherwise specified.’’

17. Paragraph S7.7(j) of Section

571.108 is amended by revising the

second sentence to read: ‘‘The diameter

of the aperture in Figure 25 on a

replaceable light source designed to

conform to subparagraph (g) of this

paragraph shall be that figure furnished

for such light source in compliance with

section IV.B of appendix A of part 564

of this chapter.’’

18. In paragraph S7.8.5.2(a) of Section

571.108, the word ‘‘verticle’’ is revised

to read ‘‘vertical.’’

19. Section 571.108 is amended by

revising S8.1 to read as follows:

S8.1 Photometry. Each headlamp to

which paragraph S8 applies shall be

tested according to paragraphs 4.1 and

4.1.4 of SAE Standard J1383 APR85 for

meeting the applicable photometric

requirements after each test specified in

paragraphs S8.2, S8.3, S8.5, S8.6.1, and

S8.6.2. A 1/4 degree reaim is permitted

in any direction at any test point.

20. In paragraph S11 of Section

571.108, the words in the first sentence

‘‘12.8V +/20mV’’ are revised to read

‘‘12.8V +/¥20mV’’.

21. Figure 15 and Figure 17 of Section

571.108 are removed.

22. Figure 17A of Section 571.108 is

revised to read as follows:

FIGURE 17A.—PHOTOMETRIC TEST POINT VALUES, 2-LAMP SYSTEM

Upper beam Lower beam

Test points (degrees) cd max. cd min. Test points (degrees) cd max. cd min.

2U–V ......................................................... ................... 1,500 10U–90U ................................................... 125 ...................

1U–3L and 3R ........................................... ................... 5,000 4U–8L and 8R .......................................... ................... 64

H–V ........................................................... 75,000 40,000 2U–4L ....................................................... ................... 135

H–3L and 3R ............................................. ................... 15,000 1–1/2U–1R to 3R ...................................... ................... 200

H–6L and 6R ............................................. ................... 5,000 1–1/2U–1R to R ........................................ 1,400 ...................

H–9L and 9R ............................................. ................... 3,000 1U–1–1/2L to L ......................................... 700 ...................

H–12L and 12R ......................................... ................... 1,500 1/2U–1–1/2L to L ...................................... 1,000 ...................

1–1/2D–V .................................................. ................... 5,000 1/2U–1R to 3R .......................................... 2,700 500

1–1/2D–9L and 9R .................................... ................... 2,000 H–4L ......................................................... ................... 135

2–1/2D–V .................................................. ................... 2,500 H–8L ......................................................... ................... 64

2–1/2D–12L and 12R ................................ ................... 1,000 1/2D–1–1/2L to L ...................................... 3,000 ...................

4D–V ......................................................... 12,000 ................... 1/2D–1–1/2R ............................................. 20,000 10,000
8202 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 1995 / Rules and Regulations

FIGURE 17A.—PHOTOMETRIC TEST POINT VALUES, 2-LAMP SYSTEM—Continued

Upper beam Lower beam

Test points (degrees) cd max. cd min. Test points (degrees) cd max. cd min.

1D–6L ....................................................... ................... 1,000

1–1/2D–2R ................................................ ................... 15,000

1–1/2D–9L and 9R ................................... ................... 1,000

2D–15L and 15R ...................................... ................... 850

4D–4R ....................................................... 12,500 ...................

23. Figure 26 of Section 571.108 is revised to read as follows:

FIGURE 26.—TABLE OF PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS

[1. Four-Headlamp Systems (4)]

[2. Two-Headlamp Systems (2)]

Light source type HB1 HB2 HB3 HB4 HB5

HB1 ............................ Fig. 27 (4,2) or .......... Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 27 (4,2) or

Fig. 15A (4) or .......... Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 15A (4) or

Fig. 17A (2) ............... ................................... ................................... ................................... Fig. 17A (2)

HB2 ............................ ................................... Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 15A(4)

Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 17A(2)

HB3 ............................ ................................... ................................... Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 15A(4)

Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 17A(2)

HB4 ............................ ................................... ................................... ................................... Fig. 15A(4) ................ Fig. 15A(4)

Fig. 17A(2) ................ Fig. 17A(2)

HB5 ............................ ................................... ................................... ................................... ................................... Fig. 27 (4,2) or

Fig. 15A (4) or

Fig. 17A (2)

24. In Table IV of Section 571.108, the

word ‘‘symetrically’’ appearing under

the heading ‘‘Motorcycles’’ in the

horizontal column captioned

‘‘Headlamps’’ is revised to read

‘‘symmetrically.’’

Issued on: February 6, 1995.

Ricardo Martinez,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 95–3303 Filed 2–10–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. 94–53, Notice 02]

RIN No. 2127–AF19

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

Standards (FMVSS); New Pneumatic

Tires

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA),

Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: In this final rule, NHTSA

amends the labeling requirements of the

safety standard for new passenger car

pneumatic tires by permitting tires

whose maximum inflation pressure is

60 pounds per square inch (psi) to be

labeled in metric measurements:

‘‘Inflate to 420 kPa (60 psi).’’ This final

rule would further international

harmonization of standards. NHTSA

takes this action in response to a

petition for rulemaking from the Japan

Automobile Tire Manufacturers’

Association.

DATES: This final rule is effective March

15, 1995. Petitions for reconsideration of

this final rule must be received not later

than March 15, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Petitions for reconsideration

of this final rule should refer to the

docket and notice number cited in the

heading of this final rule and be

submitted to: Administrator, National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration,

400 Seventh Street SW., Washington,

DC 20590. It is requested, but not

required, that 10 copies be submitted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.

Terri Droneburg, Office of Vehicle

Safety Standards, National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration, 400

Seventh Street SW., Room 5307,

Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Droneburg’s

telephone number is: (202) 366–6171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109,

New Pneumatic Tires (Std. No. 109),

requires passenger car tires to be labeled

with important safety information,

including tire size, construction, and

inflation pressure. S4.3.5 of the standard

provides that if the maximum inflation

pressure of a tire is 60 pounds per

square inch (psi), the words ‘‘Inflate to

60 psi’’ shall be molded on both

sidewalls of the tire.

The Japan Automobile Tire

Manufacturers’ Association (JATMA)

petitioned NHTSA, suggesting that

S4.3.5 should be amended to require

adding the words ‘‘or ‘inflate to 420 kPa

(60 psi)’ ’’ after ‘‘Inflate to 60 psi.’’

JATMA stated that the maximum

inflation pressure of a ‘‘T’’-type spare

tire is listed as 420 kilopascals (kPa) in

the Tire and Rim Association, Inc., Year

Book, the JATMA Year Book, and in

Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS)

D4230. JATMA indicated that, if the

suggested amendment were adopted by

NHTSA, tire manufacturers would be

able to mark tires for both the Japanese

and U.S. markets. NHTSA granted the

petition by letter dated January 7, 1994.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

On July 5, 1994, NHTSA published in

the Federal Register (59 FR 34405) a

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)

proposing to make JATMA’s requested

changes to Std. No. 109. NHTSA noted

that the changes, if made final, would be

consistent with the requirement of

section 5164 of the Omnibus Trade and

Competitiveness Act (Pub. L. 100–418),

which designated the metric system as

the preferred system of weights and

measures for U.S. trade and commerce.

NHTSA stated its belief that allowing

metric units on tires would further the

international harmonization of

standards. Common sizing for

international markets would facilitate