USTMA consortium receives compliance notification for 6PPD alternative from California

Washington, DC – The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) announced that members of its 6PPD Alternatives Analysis Consortium have received a Notice of Compliance from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for its revised Preliminary (Stage 1) Alternatives Analysis report. The notice will allow the Consortium to formally launch development of a Stage 2 Alternatives Analysis report that further investigates the most promising potential replacements for the use of 6PPD in motor vehicle tires.

USTMA is grateful for California DTSC’s commendation of the Consortium’s “continued efforts to seek safer alternatives to 6PPD” and the agency’s acknowledgment of “USTMA’s open communication about research updates and results.” When USTMA asked for 6PPD to be added to the agency’s priority products plan in December 2020, the tire industry became the first ever industry group to make such a request.

The Consortium first submitted its preliminary report in March, which investigated over 60 initial candidates for a suitable alternative to 6PPD in tires. USTMA and the Consortium further worked closely with regulators to update and submit a revised Stage 1 report in July, following a Notice of Deficiency issued by California DTSC. Issuance of a notice of deficiency is a standard step in the alternatives analysis process and serves as a way for regulators to provide suggestions and seek clarification about certain parts of a preliminary submission.

“USTMA and the Consortium deeply appreciate the collaboration with California DTSC to produce the most thorough possible Stage 1 report on potential 6PPD alternatives,” said USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke. “We remain committed to our industry being a leading force in the search for solutions. We look forward to producing a similarly rigorous Stage 2 report and continuing additional work on identifying viable 6PPD alternatives.”

The revised Stage 1 report identified seven potential 6PPD alternatives warranting further investigation in the Stage 2 Alternatives Analysis. USTMA is optimistic that, by the end of the Alternatives Analysis process, we will have identified one or more possible 6PPD alternatives with potential to replace or materially reduce the level of 6PPD in motor vehicle tires, subject to further safety and performance testing.

The Consortium’s Stage 2 report is due to DTSC on August 19, 2026, with an annual progress report due on August 19, 2025. The Consortium conducting the Alternatives Analysis consists of 32 global tire manufacturers, including all of USTMA’s member companies.