Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 45661-45663 [2017-20908]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 188 / Friday, September 29, 2017 / Notices Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W23–453, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202– 366–9309, Email Bianca.carr@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As described by the applicant the intended service of the vessel CONUNDRUM is: —Intended Commercial Use of Vessel: Charter vessel operations —Geographic Region: ‘‘Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota’’ The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD–2017–0168 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR part 388, that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter’s interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in § 388.4 of MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR part 388. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Privacy Act In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT/MARAD solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT/MARAD posts these comments, without edit, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice, DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS, accessible through www.dot.gov/privacy. In order to facilitate comment tracking and response, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of their organization; however, submission of names is completely optional. Whether or not commenters identify themselves, all timely comments will be fully considered. If you wish to provide comments containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact the agency for alternate submission instructions. (Authority: 49 CFR 1.93(a), 46 U.S.C. 55103, 46 U.S.C. 12121) By Order of the Maritime Administrator. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:50 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 241001 Dated: September 26, 2017. T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr., Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. 2017–20915 Filed 9–28–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–81–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2017–0040; Notice 1] Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Receipt of petition. AGENCY: Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA), has determined that certain Continental brand tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. CTA filed a noncompliance report dated March 31, 2017. CTA also petitioned NHTSA on April 27, 2017, and amended it on June 28, 2017, 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 October 30, 2017. 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) Web site 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45661 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: Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA), has determined that certain Continental brand tires do not fully comply with paragraphs S5.5(e) and S5.5(f) of FMVSS No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. CTA filed a noncompliance report dated March 31, 2017, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. CTA also petitioned NHTSA on April 27, 2017, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(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. This notice of receipt of CTA’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 the petition. E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES 45662 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 188 / Friday, September 29, 2017 / Notices II. Tires Involved: Approximately 111,500 of the following Continental brand tires, manufactured between August 3, 2014, and March 25, 2017, are potentially involved: • XL Continental Cross Contact UHP size 255/55R18 109Y • Barum Brillantis 2 size 175/70R13 82T • Continental ContiTrac size P225/ 70R15 100S • XL General Grabber UHP size 275/ 55R20 117V • Continental ExtremeContact DWS size 285/30ZR20 99W XL • Continental CrossContact LX20 size 245/55R19 103S • XL Continental CrossContact LX20 size 285/45R 114H • General Altimax RT43 size 215/45R17 87V& III. Noncompliance: CTA states that the noncompliance is due to a mold error, and that as a result, the number of tread plies indicated on the sidewall of the subject tires do not match the actual number of plies in the tire construction, as required by paragraphs S5.5(e) and S5.5(f) of FMVSS No. 139. Specifically, below is a list of the subject tires with the labeling as marked (Marked) and how the sidewall should have been marked (Actual): • XL Continental Cross Contact UHP size 255/55R18 109Y —Marked: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 2 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE’’ —Actual: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 2 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE’’ • Barum Brillantis 2 size 175/70R13 82T —Marked: ‘‘TREAD 4 PLIES: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE’’ —Actual: ‘‘TREAD 5 PLIES: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE’’ • Continental ContiTrac size P225/ 70R15 100S —Marked: ‘‘TREAD 4 PLIES: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL’’ —Actual: ‘‘TREAD 5 PLIES: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE’’ • XL General Grabber UHP size 275/ 55R20 117V —Marked: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE SIDEWALL: 2 POLYESTER’’ —Actual: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 2 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE SIDEWALL: 2 RAYON’’ • Continental ExtremeContact DWS size 285/30ZR20 99W —Marked: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 1 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE’’ —Actual: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 2 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:50 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 241001 • Continental CrossContact LX20 size 245/55R19 103S —Marked: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE’’ —Actual: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE’’ • XL Continental CrossContact LX20 size 285/45R22 114H —Marked: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE’’ —Actual: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE’’ • General Altimax RT43 size 215/45R17 87V —Marked: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE’’ —Actual: ‘‘PLIES: TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE’’ IV. Rule Text: Paragraphs S5.5(e) and S5.5(f) of FMVSS No. 139 require in pertinent part: S5.5 Tire Markings. Except as specified in paragraph (a) through (i) of S5.5, each tire must be marked on each sidewall with the information specified in S5.5(a) through (d) and on one sidewall with the information specified in S5.5(e) through (i) according to the phase-in schedule specified in S7 of this standard. . . (e) The generic name of each cord material used in the plies (both sidewall and tread area) of the tire; (f) The actual number of plies in the sidewall, and the actual number of plies in the tread area, if different. . . V. Summary of CTA’s Petition: CTA 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, CTA submitted the following reasoning: (a) The tires covered by this petition are labeled with incorrect information regarding the number of tread plies and in two cases, the incorrect and/or missing ply material. However, this mislabeling has no impact on the operational performance of these tires or on the safety of vehicles on which these tires are mounted. The subject tires meet or exceed all of the performance requirements specified by FMVSS No. 139. (b) NHTSA has concluded in response to numerous other petitions that this type of noncompliance is inconsequential to safety. (c) Continental cited three petitions 1 that NHTSA has previously granted and 1 Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, 82 FR 17075 (April 7, 2017); Nitto Tire USA, Inc., 81FR 17764 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 noted that on several occasions NHTSA has stated: ‘‘In the agency’s judgment, the incorrect labeling of the tire construction information will have an inconsequential effect on motor vehicle safety because most consumers do not base tire purchases or vehicle operation parameters on the ply material in a tire.’’ (d) All tires covered by this petition meet or exceed the performance requirements of FMVSS No. 139, as well as the other labeling requirements of the standard. (e) CTA is not aware of any crashes, injuries, customer complaints, or field reports associated with the mislabeling. (f) CTA has quarantined all existing inventory of these tires that contain the noncompliant tire sidewall labeling. (g) CTA has corrected the molds at the manufacturing plant, so no additional tires will be manufactured with the noncompliance. CTA 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. To view CTA’s petition analyses and test data in its entirety you can visit https://www.regulations.gov by following the online instructions for accessing the dockets and by using the docket ID number for this petition shown in the heading 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 CTA no longer controlled at the time it determined that the noncompliance existed. However, any decision on this petition does not relieve equipment 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 CTA notified them that the subject noncompliance existed. (April 30, 2016); Hankook Tire America Corp., 79 FR 30688 (May 28, 2014); Bridgestone 78 FR 47049 (August 2, 2013). E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 188 / Friday, September 29, 2017 / Notices Authority: (49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8). Jeffrey M. Giuseppe, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 2017–20908 Filed 9–28–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 45663 Funding Opportunity Number: CDFI– 2017–BEA. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 21.021. Key Dates: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Funding Round of the Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program) Announcement Type: Announcement of funding opportunity. TABLE 1—FY 2017 BEA PROGRAM FUNDING ROUND—KEY DATES FOR APPLICANTS Description Time (Eastern Time—ET) Deadline Contact Information Grant Application Package/SF–424 Mandatory (Application for Federal Assistance). Submission Method: Electronically via Grants.gov .............................. Last day to contact BEA Program Staff re: BEA Program Application materials. November 16, 2017. 11:59 p.m. ET .... Contact Grants.gov at 800–518– 4726 or support@grants.gov. November 28, 2017. 5:00 p.m. ET ...... Last day to contact Certification, Compliance Monitoring and Evaluation (CCME) staff. November 28, 2017. 5:00 p.m. ET ...... Last day to contact IT Help Desk re. AMIS support and submission of the FY 2017 BEA Program Application in AMIS. November 30, 2017. 5:00 p.m. ET ...... FY 2017 BEA Program Application ...................................................... Submission Method: Electronically via AMIS ....................................... November 30, 2017. 5:00 pm ET ........ CDFI Fund BEA Helpdesk: 202– 653–0421 or BEA Award Management Information System (AMIS) Service Request.1 CCME Helpdesk: 202–653–0423 or Compliance and Reporting AMIS Service Request.2 CDFI Fund IT Helpdesk: 202– 653–0422 or IT AMIS Service Request.3 CDFI Fund IT Helpdesk: 202– 653–0422 or IT AMIS Service Request.4 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES 1 For questions regarding completion of the BEA Application materials, the preferred electronic method of contact with the BEA Program Office is to submit a Service Request (SR) within AMIS. For the SR, select ‘‘BEA Application’’ for the record type. 2 For Compliance and Reporting related questions, the preferred electronic method of contact is to submit a Service Request (SR) within AMIS. For the SR, select ‘‘General Inquiry’’ for the record type, and select ‘‘BEA-Compliance & Reporting’’ for the type. 3 For Information Technology support, the preferred method of contact is to submit a Service Request (SR) within AMIS. For the SR, select ‘‘General Inquiry’’ for the record type, and select ‘‘BEA–AMIS technical problem’’ for the type. 4 Ibid. Executive Summary: This NOFA is issued in connection with the fiscal year (FY) 2017 funding round of the Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program). The BEA Program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). Through the BEA Program, the CDFI Fund awards formula-based grants to depository institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for increasing their levels of loans, investments, Service Activities, and technical assistance within Distressed Communities, and financial assistance to certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) through equity investments, equity-like loans, grants, stock purchases, loans, deposits, and other forms of financial and technical assistance, during a specified period. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:50 Sep 28, 2017 Jkt 241001 I. Program Description A. History: The CDFI Fund was established by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 to promote economic revitalization and community development through investment in and assistance to CDFIs. Since its creation in 1994, the CDFI Fund has awarded more than $2.3 billion to CDFIs, community development organizations, and financial institutions through the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program), the Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program), and the BEA Program. In addition, the CDFI Fund has allocated $50.5 billion in tax credit allocation authority to Community Development Entities through the New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program), guaranteed bonds in the total amount of $1.1 billion through the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, and awarded more than $171 million through the Capital Magnet Fund. The BEA Program PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 complements the community development activities of banks and thrifts (collectively referred to as banks for purposes of this NOFA) by providing financial incentives to expand investments in CDFIs and to increase lending, investment, and Service Activities within Distressed Communities. Providing monetary awards to banks for increasing their community development activities leverages the CDFI Fund’s dollars and puts more capital to work in Distressed Communities throughout the nation. B. Authorizing Statutes and Regulations: The BEA Program was authorized by the Bank Enterprise Award Act of 1991, as amended. The regulations governing the BEA Program can be found at 12 CFR part 1806 (the Interim Rule). The Interim Rule provides the evaluation criteria and other requirements of the BEA Program. Detailed BEA Program requirements are also found in the application materials associated with this NOFA (the E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 188 (Friday, September 29, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45661-45663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20908]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2017-0040; Notice 1]


Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, Receipt of Petition for 
Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Receipt of petition.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA), has determined that 
certain Continental brand tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor 
Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for 
Light Vehicles. CTA filed a noncompliance report dated March 31, 2017. 
CTA also petitioned NHTSA on April 27, 2017, and amended it on June 28, 
2017, 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 October 30, 
2017.

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) Web site 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 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: Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA), has 
determined that certain Continental brand tires do not fully comply 
with paragraphs S5.5(e) and S5.5(f) of FMVSS No. 139, New Pneumatic 
Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. CTA filed a noncompliance report dated 
March 31, 2017, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance 
Responsibility and Reports. CTA also petitioned NHTSA on April 27, 
2017, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(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.
    This notice of receipt of CTA'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 the petition.

[[Page 45662]]

    II. Tires Involved: Approximately 111,500 of the following 
Continental brand tires, manufactured between August 3, 2014, and March 
25, 2017, are potentially involved:

 XL Continental Cross Contact UHP size 255/55R18 109Y
 Barum Brillantis 2 size 175/70R13 82T
 Continental ContiTrac size P225/70R15 100S
 XL General Grabber UHP size 275/55R20 117V
 Continental ExtremeContact DWS size 285/30ZR20 99W XL
 Continental CrossContact LX20 size 245/55R19 103S
 XL Continental CrossContact LX20 size 285/45R 114H
 General Altimax RT43 size 215/45R17 87V&
    III. Noncompliance: CTA states that the noncompliance is due to a 
mold error, and that as a result, the number of tread plies indicated 
on the sidewall of the subject tires do not match the actual number of 
plies in the tire construction, as required by paragraphs S5.5(e) and 
S5.5(f) of FMVSS No. 139. Specifically, below is a list of the subject 
tires with the labeling as marked (Marked) and how the sidewall should 
have been marked (Actual):

 XL Continental Cross Contact UHP size 255/55R18 109Y
--Marked: ``PLIES: TREAD: 2 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE''
--Actual: ``PLIES: TREAD: 2 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE''
 Barum Brillantis 2 size 175/70R13 82T
--Marked: ``TREAD 4 PLIES: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE''
--Actual: ``TREAD 5 PLIES: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE''
 Continental ContiTrac size P225/70R15 100S
--Marked: ``TREAD 4 PLIES: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL''
--Actual: ``TREAD 5 PLIES: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE''
 XL General Grabber UHP size 275/55R20 117V
--Marked: ``PLIES: TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE SIDEWALL: 
2 POLYESTER''
--Actual: ``PLIES: TREAD: 2 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE SIDEWALL: 2 
RAYON''
 Continental ExtremeContact DWS size 285/30ZR20 99W
--Marked: ``PLIES: TREAD: 1 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE''
--Actual: ``PLIES: TREAD: 2 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE''
 Continental CrossContact LX20 size 245/55R19 103S
--Marked: ``PLIES: TREAD: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE''
--Actual: ``PLIES: TREAD: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE''
 XL Continental CrossContact LX20 size 285/45R22 114H
--Marked: ``PLIES: TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE''
--Actual: ``PLIES: TREAD: 1 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE''
 General Altimax RT43 size 215/45R17 87V
--Marked: ``PLIES: TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 1 POLYAMIDE''
--Actual: ``PLIES: TREAD: 2 POLYESTER + 2 STEEL + 2 POLYAMIDE''

    IV. Rule Text: Paragraphs S5.5(e) and S5.5(f) of FMVSS No. 139 
require in pertinent part:

    S5.5 Tire Markings. Except as specified in paragraph (a) through 
(i) of S5.5, each tire must be marked on each sidewall with the 
information specified in S5.5(a) through (d) and on one sidewall 
with the information specified in S5.5(e) through (i) according to 
the phase-in schedule specified in S7 of this standard. . .
    (e) The generic name of each cord material used in the plies 
(both sidewall and tread area) of the tire;
    (f) The actual number of plies in the sidewall, and the actual 
number of plies in the tread area, if different. . .

    V. Summary of CTA's Petition: CTA 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, CTA submitted the following reasoning:
    (a) The tires covered by this petition are labeled with incorrect 
information regarding the number of tread plies and in two cases, the 
incorrect and/or missing ply material. However, this mislabeling has no 
impact on the operational performance of these tires or on the safety 
of vehicles on which these tires are mounted. The subject tires meet or 
exceed all of the performance requirements specified by FMVSS No. 139.
    (b) NHTSA has concluded in response to numerous other petitions 
that this type of noncompliance is inconsequential to safety.
    (c) Continental cited three petitions \1\ that NHTSA has previously 
granted and noted that on several occasions NHTSA has stated:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, 82 FR 17075 (April 7, 2017); 
Nitto Tire USA, Inc., 81FR 17764 (April 30, 2016); Hankook Tire 
America Corp., 79 FR 30688 (May 28, 2014); Bridgestone 78 FR 47049 
(August 2, 2013).

    ``In the agency's judgment, the incorrect labeling of the tire 
construction information will have an inconsequential effect on 
motor vehicle safety because most consumers do not base tire 
purchases or vehicle operation parameters on the ply material in a 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
tire.''

    (d) All tires covered by this petition meet or exceed the 
performance requirements of FMVSS No. 139, as well as the other 
labeling requirements of the standard.
    (e) CTA is not aware of any crashes, injuries, customer complaints, 
or field reports associated with the mislabeling.
    (f) CTA has quarantined all existing inventory of these tires that 
contain the noncompliant tire sidewall labeling.
    (g) CTA has corrected the molds at the manufacturing plant, so no 
additional tires will be manufactured with the noncompliance.
    CTA 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.
    To view CTA's petition analyses and test data in its entirety you 
can visit https://www.regulations.gov by following the online 
instructions for accessing the dockets and by using the docket ID 
number for this petition shown in the heading 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 CTA no longer 
controlled at the time it determined that the noncompliance existed. 
However, any decision on this petition does not relieve equipment 
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 CTA 
notified them that the subject noncompliance existed.


[[Page 45663]]


    Authority: (49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 
49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8).

Jeffrey M. Giuseppe,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-20908 Filed 9-28-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.