Interpretation ID: aiam1524
House of Representatives
Washington
D.C. 20515;
Dear Congressman Eshleman: This is in reply to your letter of May 29, 1974, concerning a proble with retreaded tires experienced by your constituent, Mr. Leon Mentzer of Lancaster. Mr. Mentzer was concerned that a pair of retreaded tires which he purchased and returned as the new tread came off after 15 miles were, according to the dealer, to be retreaded again and resold. He asks if there are Federal regulation regarding retreads.; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 117 (49 CFR 571.117 (cop enclosed)) does specify certain requirements for passenger car retreaded tires, primarily in the areas of casing selection and processing, treadwear indicators, and labeling. The standard at one time contained performance requirements as well, but these requirements were successfully challenged in an industry-sponsored lawsuit (*H & H Tire Company v. Volpe*, 471 F.2d 350 (7th Cir. 1972)). The re-retreading of a tire in the situation described by Mr. Mentzer would not fail to conform to Standard No. 117 if the casing were not damaged in a manner described in the standard. A further retreading, if done properly, would not necessarily be unsafe.; Sincerely, James B. Gregory, Administrator