USTMA Statement on Congressional Hearing on Chemicals and Tires

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) released the following statement following the invitation to participate in a hearing about chemicals in tires hosted by the House Committee on Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations:

USTMA welcomes the opportunity to participate in the July 15, 2021 hearing conducted by the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations regarding chemicals and tires.

The USTMA shares the subcommittee’s commitment to pursuit of knowledge and transparency and is equally committed to answering questions about the importance of tire safety and the potential impact of tires on the environment.

Tires are highly engineered automotive safety products and the only part of a vehicle that is in contact with the road. The tire industry uses 6PPD because it helps tires resist degradation and cracking, which is vital for passenger safety. The degradation product 6PPD-quinone, which was recently identified, requires more research to understand what impact it may have on aquatic life or the environment.

The tire industry is committed to safety and sustainability and fully supports further scientific research into 6PPD-quinone. We are collaborating with researchers and other scientists to better understand this new transformation product, fill knowledge gaps and determine next steps.

We recently requested that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) add 6PPD in tires to its 2021-2023 Priority Products Work Plan for the Safer Consumer Products Regulations. The state agreed, which will result in a more rigorous scientific, regulatory framework for future research. USTMA members have invested tens of millions of dollars in peer-reviewed research with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Tire Industry Project to assess the impact of tire materials on the environment, wildlife and human health.