AKRON, OHIO, May 10, 2012  – Smithers Rapra, part of The Smithers Group, has been selected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as the National Tire Alignment Laboratory for the Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information Program (TFECIP). Congress in 2007 required NHTSA to establish TFECIP to educate consumers about the effect of tires on automobile fuel efficiency, safety, and durability. A required element of the program is a rating system for replacement tires. For fuel efficiency, TFECIP rates each tire’s rolling resistance, or the force required to make the tire roll.  

In March 2010, NHTSA issued a final rule specifying International Organization for Standardization (ISO) specification 28580 as the test procedure used in rating tires for TFECIP. ISO 28580 requires the establishment of a reference laboratory and a reference test machine for quality control. Smithers’ lab and its rolling resistance machine will be used to “align” data from different testing labs and equipment that is submitted to NHTSA for TFECIP ratings to Smithers’ data, using batches of pre-defined tires.    

“We are excited to have been selected as the reference laboratory for this important program,” said Dr. Rikki Lamba, Vice President of Smithers Rapra North America Operations. “The tire industry and government have been working diligently to improve tire performance. We are pleased that we can play a role in supporting our key customers in the development of greener tires. ”   

Smithers’ contract with NHTSA is for two years, with optional one-year extensions for three additional years. Smithers is required to make monthly reports to the government. NHTSA is developing the TFECIP rating system and a consumer education campaign; the process requires final approval within the agency before ratings will be available for replacement tires. 

About The Smithers Group and Smithers Rapra

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, The Smithers Group (www.smithers.com) provides independent contract research, testing, consulting, quality and environmental systems certification and information services to a variety of industries. The group includes Smithers Rapra, Smithers Quality Assessments, Smithers Viscient, Smithers Pharma Services, Smithers Pira and Smithers Apex. Each company provides technology-based services to a defined market. By integrating science, technology and business expertise, Smithers’ goal is to add value throughout the life cycle of our clients’ products. Smithers companies are known to their customers as “Trusted Providers of Innovative Solutions.”  

Smithers Rapra (www.smithersrapra.com), part of The Smithers Group, offers value-added technology services to clients using rubber, plastics, polymers and composite materials, with a focus on the tire, automotive and medical device industries. Smithers Rapra North America has its operations center in Akron, Ohio, and Smithers Rapra UK’s operations are in Shawbury, England.  

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About Other Smithers Companies:  

Smithers Viscient is a global Contract Research Organization (CRO) providing environmental testing, ecotoxicology, and regulatory services for the crop protection, seed technology, pharmaceutical, industrial chemical, and the consumer and household product industries. With laboratories located in North America and Europe, Smithers Viscient has performed standard guideline and higher-tiered environmental studies for over 40 years. Smithers Viscient conducts studies to satisfy all regulatory requirements globally. Services include ecotoxicology, avian toxicology, environmental fate, metabolism, residue, analytical, and product chemistry, and consulting. For more information, visit www.smithersviscient.com 

Smithers Pira is the worldwide authority on packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Established in 1930, the company provides strategic and technical consulting, testing, intelligence and events to help clients gain market insights, identify opportunities, evaluate product performance and manage compliance. For more information, visit www.smitherspira.com 

Smithers Quality Assessment is an accredited third-party registrar. Since 1993, Smithers Quality Assessments has provided quality and environmental management system certification services such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and related standards to manufacturing companies and service providers. For more information, visit www.smithersregistar.com 

Smithers Pharma Services provides formulation services, analytical chemistry, and pre-clinical and clinical bioanalytical testing, while offering further drug development support through in-house storage stability studies. Smithers Pharma serves the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer healthcare industries, delivering a broad portfolio of services to help clients move their drug products through the full drug development process, from pre-formulations to market registration. For more information, visit www.smitherspharma.com 

Smithers Apex, formerly known as IntertechPira, is a global business that provides events, market research, publications and strategic and technical consulting to an expanding list of niche, emerging and high growth industries, including the home and personal care; lighting, imaging and displays; plastic electronics and the alternative energy industries. For more information, visit www.smithersapex.com