Interpretation ID: aiam0157
State Chemist
Corporation Commission of Oklahoma
Jim Thorpe Building
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma 73105;
Dear Mr. Goetz: This is in reply to your letter of April 15, 1969, in which you inquir about Federal regulation of brake fluid.; Brake fluid performance is regulated under the National Traffic an Motor Vehicle Safety Act by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 116. Copies of the Act and the current standards are enclosed.; Under the Vehicle Safety Act, manufacturers of motor vehicles an equipment (including brake fluid) that are covered by standards are fully responsible for ensuring that all of their products conform to the standards. The National Highway Safety Bureau conducts conformity tests of vehicles and equipment, either through its own personnel and facilities or under contract with other public or private testing organizations, but these are for enforcement purposes only.; The Bureau is conducting a continuing series of tests on brake fluid that has included samples from a majority of the major manufacturers, and will include the remainder in the near future. If you need more detailed information concerning this testing program, I suggest that you contact Mr. Francis Armstrong, Director, Office of Performance Analysis, National Highway Safety Bureau, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C. 20591.; In answer to your final question, Standard No. 116 applies to all brak fluid manufactured or sold in the United States, and is not limited to that sold by automobile manufacturers or distributors.; Sincerely, Robert M. O'Mahoney, Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations