Responding to several Petitions for Reconsideration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a final rule on March 22 addressing changes to the vehicle tire safety information labeling requirements. The rule allows the option of including selected additional information on the placard and the label at the option of the manufacturer.

Specifically, the rule states that manufacturers may show light truck tire load range identification and tire service description information on the placard or the label. The manufacturers may place an alphanumeric and/or barcode part identifier along the bottom or side edges of the placard or the label. In addition, the rule clarifies certain placard and label subheading requirements and responds to several requests for legal interpretations.

NHTSA denied requests to delay the Thursday, Sept. 1, effective date because the agency feels it has neither changed nor imposed new mandatory vehicle labeling requirements. However, NHTSA does stipulate that between Sept. 1, 2005, and Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, the manufacturers will be able to use placards and labels that comply with the requirements of the November 2002 final rule.