Maintaining the status quo in tire registration is underway as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking comments for the next 30 days about the process of collecting that data.
Before federal agencies collect certain information from the public, they must receive permission from the Office of Management and Budget. As part of the process, the agency also must seek public comments on the proposed collection and publish that intention in the Federal Register. NHTSA initially published that notice in November and received no comments during a 60-day timeframe. In the Feb. 19, 2015, Federal Register the agency extended the timeline to submit comments for another 30 days, through March 23, 2015.
Comments should address these topics:
- Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the proper performance of the agency? Does the information have practical utility?
- Is the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection accurate? Is the methodology valid?
- How can the agency enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected?
- How can the agency minimize the burden of collecting the information on those who are to respond?
NHTSA estimates collecting tire registration information affects 10 million consumers who choose to register their tire purchases with manufacturers a year, plus 59,000 new tire dealers and distributors and approximately 20 manufacturers. (Review the full NHTSA request here.)
Comments must be received on or before March 23, 2015. Send them to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20503. Attention: NHTSA Desk Officer.
The issue of tire registration can be contentious, and that definitely rang true in December when the National Transportation Safety Board hosted the Passenger Vehicle Tire Safety Symposium in Washington, D.C. During a forum on tire registration the Rubber Manufacturers Association said it wants tire dealers to be responsible for tire registration at the point of sale. The Tire Industry Association said it should be the responsibility of the consumer.
To read other recent stories about tire registration, check out:
RMA says yes to mandatory tire registration. TIA says no
Bob Ulrich’s January editorial: Bitter battle?
