WASHINGTON (July 24, 2001)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued all at once two final rules and two proposed rules mandated by the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act.
These include final rules on the requirement to submit a report to NHTSA on knowingly selling a defective tire and on the “safe harbor” regulations sparing tire and auto executives from criminal penalties for selling defective products if they meet certain criteria.
They also include a major proposed rule for the tire industry—the proposal on mandatory tire pressure monitoring systems—as well as a proposed rule on regulations limiting the sale or lease of defective motor vehicles, tires and other equipment.
The entire transportation industry—including associations such as the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the Tire Association of North America—are reviewing the documents for comment.