Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2018/12/06/2018-26510.html
Timestamp: 2020-08-11 19:03:05
Document Index: 151373101

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 150', 'art 150', 'art 150', 'art 571', 'art 573', 'art 556', 'art 574', 'art 574', 'art 573', 'art 556', 'art 571', 'art 556', 'art 574', 'art 574']

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 62949-62951 [2018-26510] :: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration :: Department Of Transportation :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 62949-62951 [2018-26510]
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 62949-62951 [2018-26510]
Download as PDF khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 234 / Thursday, December 6, 2018 / Notices to resolve questions concerning, for example, which properties should be covered by the provisions of Section 107 of the Act. These functions are inseparable from the ultimate land use control and planning responsibilities of local government. These local responsibilities are not changed in any way under Part 150 or through FAA’s review of a noise exposure map. Therefore, the responsibility for the detailed overlaying of noise exposure contours onto the map depicting properties on the surface rests exclusively with the airport operator that submitted the map, or with those public agencies and planning agencies with which consultation is required under Section 103 of the Act. The FAA has relied on the certification by the airport operator, under Section 150.21 of FAR Part 150, that the statutorily required consultation has been accomplished. The FAA has formally received the noise compatibility program for Westover Airport, also effective on November 7, 2018. Preliminary review of the submitted material indicates that it conforms to the requirements for the submittal of noise compatibility programs, but that further review will be necessary prior to approval or disapproval of the program. The formal review period, limited by law to a maximum of 180 days, will be completed on or before May 6, 2019. The FAA’s detailed evaluation will be conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR part 150, Section 150.33. The primary considerations in the evaluation process are whether the proposed measures may reduce the level of aviation safety, create an undue burden on interstate or foreign commerce, or be reasonably consistent with obtaining the goal of reducing existing non compatible land uses and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible land uses. Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed program with specific reference to these factors. All comments, other than those properly addressed to local land use authorities, will be considered by the FAA to the extent practicable. Copies of the noise exposure map, the FAA’s evaluation of the map, and the proposed noise compatibility program are available for examination at the following locations: Westover Airport, 255 Padgette Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts 01022. Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:35 Dec 04, 2018 Jkt 247001 heading: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts on November 7, 2018. Richard P. Doucette, FAA, New England Region, Airports Division. [FR Doc. 2018–26478 Filed 12–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2018–0077; Notice 1] Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Receipt of petition. AGENCY: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (Cooper Tire) has determined that certain Cooper brand tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Cooper Tire filed a noncompliance report dated May 4, 2018, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on May 21, 2018, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is January 7, 2019. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments on this petition. Comments must refer to the docket and notice number cited in the title of this notice and be submitted by any of the following methods: • Mail: Send comments by mail addressed to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver comments by hand to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Federal Holidays. • Electronically: Submit comments electronically by logging onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website at https:// www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 62949 • Comments may also be faxed to (202) 493–2251. Comments must be written in the English language, and be no greater than 15 pages in length, although there is no limit to the length of necessary attachments to the comments. If comments are submitted in hard copy form, please ensure that two copies are provided. If you wish to receive confirmation that comments you have submitted by mail were received, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard with the comments. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. All comments and supporting materials received before the close of business on the closing date indicated above will be filed in the docket and will be considered. All comments and supporting materials received after the closing date will also be filed and will be considered to the fullest extent possible. When the petition is granted or denied, notice of the decision will also be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated at the end of this notice. All comments, background documentation, and supporting materials submitted to the docket may be viewed by anyone at the address and times given above. The documents may also be viewed on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by following the online instructions for accessing the dockets. The docket ID number for this petition is shown in the heading of this notice. DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement is available for review in a Federal Register notice published on April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477–78). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Overview Cooper Tire has determined that certain Cooper brand tires do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5.1 of FMVSS No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles (49 CFR part 571.139). Cooper Tire filed a noncompliance report dated May 4, 2018, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on May 21, 2018, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 49 CFR part 556, for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1 62950 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 234 / Thursday, December 6, 2018 / Notices This notice of receipt of Cooper Tire’s petition 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 this petition. II. Tires Involved Approximately 327 Evolution H/T size 245/70R16 tubeless radial tires, manufactured between June 4, 2017, and June 10, 2017, are potentially involved. III. Noncompliance Cooper Tire explains that the noncompliance is that the subject tires were molded with an incorrectly ordered serial week and year on the outboard sidewall as required by paragraph S5.5.1(b) of FMVSS No. 139. Specifically, the subject tires were manufactured with serial week ‘‘1723’’ when they should have been manufactured with serial week ‘‘2317.’’ IV. Rule Requirements Paragraph S5.5.1(b) of FMVSS No. 139, includes the requirements relevant to this petition: • For tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2009, each tire must be labeled with the tire identification number required by 49 CFR part 574 on the intended outboard sidewall of the tire. • Except for retreaded tires, if a tire does not have an intended outboard sidewall, the tire must be labeled with the tire identification number required by 49 CFR part 574 on one sidewall and with either the tire identification number or a partial tire identification number, containing all characters in the tire identification number except for the date code and, at the discretion of the manufacturer, any optional code, on the other side wall. khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES V. Summary of Petition Cooper Tire described the subject noncompliance and stated its belief that the noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. In support of its petition, Cooper Tire submitted the following arguments: 1. While the 327 tires in the subject population contain an incorrectly ordered week and year for the fourth grouping of TIN numbers, they are in all other respects properly labeled and meet all performance requirements under the FMVSS’s. The serial week of manufacture has no bearing on the performance or operation of a tire and does not create a safety concern to either the operator of the vehicle on which the tires are mounted, or the safety of VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:35 Dec 04, 2018 Jkt 247001 personnel in the tire repair, retread, and recycle industry. 2. Tire registration and traceability will not be interrupted. Cooper Tire’s internally controlled online registration system has been modified to be able to accept the incorrectly ordered 1723 date code. Any tires registered with that date code and TIN will be identified properly as having been manufactured in the 23rd week of 2017. This will ensure that Cooper Tire is able to identify these tires in the event they must be recalled. If a recall is necessary, Cooper Tire will explain the date issue in any recall notice. 3. Cooper Tire can also confirm that it will not use the same full Tire Identification Number in year 2023. Cooper Tire uses the third grouping of numbers within the TIN to identify the SKU or make of the tire, as is permitted at the option of the manufacturer under the regulations. See 49 CFR 574.5(g)(3). In this case, lJ9 is the third grouping and indicates that this tire is a Cooper Evolution H/T. While Cooper Tire has not yet set its year 2023 production schedule, if Cooper Evolution H/T tires are made in year 2023, Cooper Tire will assign another unique identifier so that the tires made in year 2017 will be distinguishable from the tires made in year 2023. This will eliminate the potential for SKUs produced in year 2017 to be confused with those produced in year 2023, and will allow for Cooper Tire to readily identify the 327 tires that are the subject of this petition. 4. NHTSA has granted a number of previous inconsequentiality petitions relating to mislabeled TINs, provided that the mislabeling does not affect the manufacturer’s ability to identify the tires. ‘‘The purpose of the date code is to identify a tire so that, if necessary, the appropriate action can be taken in the interest of public safety such as, a safety recall notice.’’ Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.; Grant of Application, 64 FR 29080 (May 28, 1999); see also Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Grant of Application, 68 FR 16115 (April 2, 2003) (same). Accordingly, NHTSA has explained in multiple instances that ‘‘[t]he agency believes that the true measure of inconsequentiality to motor vehicle safety in this case is the effect of the noncompliance on the ability of the tire manufacturer to identify the tires in the event of recall.’’ Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Grant of Application, 66 FR 45076 (August 27, 2001). As a result, NHTSA has granted petitions and found that TIN noncompliance is inconsequential to safety in cases where the TIN is out of sequence or mislabeled, including where the week and/or year of PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 manufacture is mislabeled and even where the date code is missing altogether. See, e.g., Bridgestone Firestone North America Tire, LLC, Grant of Petition, 71 FR 4396 (January 26, 2006) (granting petition where date code was missing because manufacturer could still identify and recall the tires); Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Grant of Application, 68 FR 16115 (April 2, 2003) (granting petition where tires were labeled with wrong plant code, because ‘‘the tires have a unique DOT identification’’); Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Grant of Application, 66 FR 45076 (Aug. 27, 2001) (granting petition where the date code was labeled incorrectly, because ‘‘the information included on the tire identification label and the manufacturer’s tire production records is sufficient to ensure that these tires can be identified in the event of a recall’’); Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.; Grant of Application, 64 FR 29080 (May 28, 1999) (granting petition where the wrong year was marked in the date code on the tires); Cooper Tire & Rubber Company; Grant of Application, 63 FR 29059 (May 27, 1998) (granting petition where the date code was missing where tires had a unique TIN for recall purposes); Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.,· Grant of Application, 60 FR 57617 (November 16, 1995) (granting petition where the date code was out of sequence); Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company; Grant of Petition, 59 FR. 64232 (December 13, 1994) (granting petition where week and year were mislabeled on tires). As with other cases in which NHTSA has granted petitions for a determination of inconsequential noncompliance, Cooper Tire will be able identify the tires that are the subject of this petition in the event of recall. As described above, these tires will have a unique DOT identifier that will allow for Cooper Tire to identify and recall them in the event that any issues arise in the future. 5. Cooper Tire has taken steps over the last two years to add additional checks in its processes to prevent TIN errors. For example, Cooper Tire has implemented software that allows for a specific plant to choose only its plant code from a drop-down menu when engraving that portion of the TIN. Date codes are updated on a weekly basis and often produced in advance of the serial week. The serial week and year is manually entered in the system and then engraved on a plug for use. Cooper Tire is working to prevent future issues and evaluating the possibility of additional technology which will restrict the selection of date codes to a contained period of time. Cooper Tire is E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 234 / Thursday, December 6, 2018 / Notices also reviewing its inspection processes to ensure that errors of this sort are identified earlier in the process. Cooper Tire concluded by expressing the belief that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety, and that its petition to be exempted from providing notification of the noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118, and a remedy for the noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120, should be granted. Cooper Tire’s complete petition and all supporting documents are available by logging onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website at: https://www.regulations.gov and by following the online search instructions to locate the docket number as listed in the title of this notice. NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a determination of inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers only from the duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively, to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance and to remedy the defect or noncompliance. Therefore, any decision on this petition only applies to the subject tires that Cooper Tire no longer controlled at the time it determined that the noncompliance existed. However, any decision on this petition does not relieve vehicle distributors and dealers of the prohibitions on the sale, offer for sale, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of the noncompliant tires under their control after Cooper Tire notified them that the subject noncompliance existed. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8. Claudia W. Covell, Acting Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 2018–26510 Filed 12–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2018–0072; Notice 1] Michelin North America, Inc., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:35 Dec 04, 2018 Jkt 247001 ACTION: Receipt of petition. Michelin North America, Inc. (MNA) has determined that certain Michelin XZL brand tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 lbs) and Motorcycles. MNA filed a noncompliance report dated May 21, 2018, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on June 15, 2018, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. DATES: The closing date for comments on the petition is January 7, 2019. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments on this petition. Comments must refer to the docket and notice number cited in the title of this notice and be submitted by any of the following methods: • Mail: Send comments by mail addressed to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver comments by hand to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Federal Holidays. • Electronically: Submit comments electronically by logging onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) website at https:// www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Comments may also be faxed to (202) 493–2251. Comments must be written in the English language, and be no greater than 15 pages in length, although there is no limit to the length of necessary attachments to the comments. If comments are submitted in hard copy form, please ensure that two copies are provided. If you wish to receive confirmation that comments you have submitted by mail were received, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard with the comments. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. All comments and supporting materials received before the close of business on the closing date indicated above will be filed in the docket and will be considered. All comments and SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 62951 supporting materials received after the closing date will also be filed and will be considered to the fullest extent possible. When the petition is granted or denied, notice of the decision will also be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated at the end of this notice. All comments, background documentation, and supporting materials submitted to the docket may be viewed by anyone at the address and times given above. The documents may also be viewed on the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov by following the online instructions for accessing the dockets. The docket ID number for this petition is shown in the heading of this notice. DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement is available for review in a Federal Register notice published on April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477–78). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Overview MNA has determined that certain Michelin brand tires do not fully comply with paragraph S6.4 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 lbs) and Motorcycles (49 CFR 571.119). MNA filed a noncompliance report dated May 21, 2018, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defects and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. MNA subsequently petitioned NHTSA on June 18, 2018, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 20118(d) and 30120(h) and 49 CFR part 556, for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. II. Tires Involved Approximately 752 Michelin XZL size 16.00R20 tires manufactured between January 19, 2018, and April 9, 2018, are potentially involved. III. Noncompliance MNA explains that the noncompliance was due to a mold error which left the subject tires with fewer than the required number of treadwear indicators specified in paragraph S6.4 of FMVSS No. 119. Specifically, the tires were manufactured with 4 rows of treadwear indicators instead of the required minimum of 6 treadwear indicators. E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1
[Pages 62949-62951]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26510]
[Docket No. NHTSA-2018-0077; Notice 1]
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Receipt of Petition for Decision of
SUMMARY: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (Cooper Tire) has determined that
certain Cooper brand tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor
Light Vehicles. Cooper Tire filed a noncompliance report dated May 4,
2018, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on May 21, 2018, for a decision
Cooper Tire has determined that certain Cooper brand tires do not
fully comply with paragraph S5.5.1 of FMVSS No. 139, New Pneumatic
Radial Tires for Light Vehicles (49 CFR part 571.139). Cooper Tire
filed a noncompliance report dated May 4, 2018, pursuant to 49 CFR part
subsequently petitioned NHTSA on May 21, 2018, pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
30118(d) and 49 CFR part 556, for an exemption from the notification
[[Page 62950]]
This notice of receipt of Cooper Tire's petition is published under
Approximately 327 Evolution H/T size 245/70R16 tubeless radial
tires, manufactured between June 4, 2017, and June 10, 2017, are
Cooper Tire explains that the noncompliance is that the subject
tires were molded with an incorrectly ordered serial week and year on
the outboard sidewall as required by paragraph S5.5.1(b) of FMVSS No.
139. Specifically, the subject tires were manufactured with serial week
``1723'' when they should have been manufactured with serial week
``2317.''
Paragraph S5.5.1(b) of FMVSS No. 139, includes the requirements
For tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2009, each
tire must be labeled with the tire identification number required by 49
CFR part 574 on the intended outboard sidewall of the tire.
Except for retreaded tires, if a tire does not have an
intended outboard sidewall, the tire must be labeled with the tire
identification number required by 49 CFR part 574 on one sidewall and
with either the tire identification number or a partial tire
identification number, containing all characters in the tire
identification number except for the date code and, at the discretion
of the manufacturer, any optional code, on the other side wall.
Cooper Tire described the subject noncompliance and stated its
In support of its petition, Cooper Tire submitted the following
1. While the 327 tires in the subject population contain an
incorrectly ordered week and year for the fourth grouping of TIN
numbers, they are in all other respects properly labeled and meet all
performance requirements under the FMVSS's. The serial week of
manufacture has no bearing on the performance or operation of a tire
and does not create a safety concern to either the operator of the
vehicle on which the tires are mounted, or the safety of personnel in
the tire repair, retread, and recycle industry.
2. Tire registration and traceability will not be interrupted.
Cooper Tire's internally controlled online registration system has been
modified to be able to accept the incorrectly ordered 1723 date code.
Any tires registered with that date code and TIN will be identified
properly as having been manufactured in the 23rd week of 2017. This
will ensure that Cooper Tire is able to identify these tires in the
event they must be recalled. If a recall is necessary, Cooper Tire will
explain the date issue in any recall notice.
3. Cooper Tire can also confirm that it will not use the same full
Tire Identification Number in year 2023. Cooper Tire uses the third
grouping of numbers within the TIN to identify the SKU or make of the
tire, as is permitted at the option of the manufacturer under the
regulations. See 49 CFR 574.5(g)(3). In this case, lJ9 is the third
grouping and indicates that this tire is a Cooper Evolution H/T. While
Cooper Tire has not yet set its year 2023 production schedule, if
Cooper Evolution H/T tires are made in year 2023, Cooper Tire will
assign another unique identifier so that the tires made in year 2017
will be distinguishable from the tires made in year 2023. This will
eliminate the potential for SKUs produced in year 2017 to be confused
with those produced in year 2023, and will allow for Cooper Tire to
readily identify the 327 tires that are the subject of this petition.
4. NHTSA has granted a number of previous inconsequentiality
petitions relating to mislabeled TINs, provided that the mislabeling
does not affect the manufacturer's ability to identify the tires. ``The
purpose of the date code is to identify a tire so that, if necessary,
the appropriate action can be taken in the interest of public safety
such as, a safety recall notice.'' Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.; Grant
of Application, 64 FR 29080 (May 28, 1999); see also Cooper Tire &
Rubber Company, Grant of Application, 68 FR 16115 (April 2, 2003)
(same). Accordingly, NHTSA has explained in multiple instances that
``[t]he agency believes that the true measure of inconsequentiality to
motor vehicle safety in this case is the effect of the noncompliance on
the ability of the tire manufacturer to identify the tires in the event
of recall.'' Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Grant of Application, 66 FR
45076 (August 27, 2001). As a result, NHTSA has granted petitions and
found that TIN noncompliance is inconsequential to safety in cases
where the TIN is out of sequence or mislabeled, including where the
week and/or year of manufacture is mislabeled and even where the date
code is missing altogether. See, e.g., Bridgestone Firestone North
America Tire, LLC, Grant of Petition, 71 FR 4396 (January 26, 2006)
(granting petition where date code was missing because manufacturer
could still identify and recall the tires); Cooper Tire & Rubber
Company, Grant of Application, 68 FR 16115 (April 2, 2003) (granting
petition where tires were labeled with wrong plant code, because ``the
tires have a unique DOT identification''); Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.,
Grant of Application, 66 FR 45076 (Aug. 27, 2001) (granting petition
where the date code was labeled incorrectly, because ``the information
included on the tire identification label and the manufacturer's tire
production records is sufficient to ensure that these tires can be
identified in the event of a recall''); Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.;
Grant of Application, 64 FR 29080 (May 28, 1999) (granting petition
where the wrong year was marked in the date code on the tires); Cooper
Tire & Rubber Company; Grant of Application, 63 FR 29059 (May 27, 1998)
(granting petition where the date code was missing where tires had a
unique TIN for recall purposes); Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.,[middot]
Grant of Application, 60 FR 57617 (November 16, 1995) (granting
petition where the date code was out of sequence); Uniroyal Goodrich
Tire Company; Grant of Petition, 59 FR. 64232 (December 13, 1994)
(granting petition where week and year were mislabeled on tires). As
with other cases in which NHTSA has granted petitions for a
determination of inconsequential noncompliance, Cooper Tire will be
able identify the tires that are the subject of this petition in the
event of recall. As described above, these tires will have a unique DOT
identifier that will allow for Cooper Tire to identify and recall them
in the event that any issues arise in the future.
5. Cooper Tire has taken steps over the last two years to add
additional checks in its processes to prevent TIN errors. For example,
Cooper Tire has implemented software that allows for a specific plant
to choose only its plant code from a drop-down menu when engraving that
portion of the TIN. Date codes are updated on a weekly basis and often
produced in advance of the serial week. The serial week and year is
manually entered in the system and then engraved on a plug for use.
Cooper Tire is working to prevent future issues and evaluating the
possibility of additional technology which will restrict the selection
of date codes to a contained period of time. Cooper Tire is
[[Page 62951]]
also reviewing its inspection processes to ensure that errors of this
sort are identified earlier in the process.
Cooper Tire concluded by expressing the belief that the subject
Cooper Tire's complete petition and all supporting documents are
this petition only applies to the subject tires that Cooper Tire no
commerce of the noncompliant tires under their control after Cooper
Tire notified them that the subject noncompliance existed.