The Hindu Business Line : Govt to make standards for tyres mandatory

In a move that is likely to bring about quality control in the tyre industry, apart from proving beneficial for consumers as well road operators, the Government is likely to soon make it mandatory for tyre manufacturers to adhere to certain standards.

It also plans to ask the companies to provide information such as maximum retail price, and month and year of manufacture by embossing them on the sidewall of tyres.

This is as per policies under Motor Vehicles Act and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Earlier, while standards did exist for tyres, they were voluntary in nature.

The Government has mandated this through a BIS order called the "pneumatic tyres and tubes for automotive vehicles (quality control)" published on July 12. BIS has also set standards for different tyres and manufactures are expected to emboss tyres with the standardised mark.

While stakeholders can submit their comments, the order is expected to come into force after 60 days.

Industry issues

Meanwhile, the All-India Tyre Dealers Federation, while welcoming the move, has raised certain queries with the BIS. "What will be the status of stock in trade, with the manufacturer as well as with the dealer, at the time of BIS order coming into effect," the federation has asked.

Moreover, it has also asked whether the rubber flaps, used along with tyre and tube for commercial vehicles are part of BIS mandatory standard implementation.

What would be the product liability of producers and importers, it has asked.

It has also sought to find out who would be liable to provide compensation to victims if it is established that certain accidents occurred due to manufacturing defect in tyres.

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