In order to achieve the goals fixed by the EU for sustainable mobility, the European Commission has prepared a Proposal for a Directive to introduce tyre labelling. This aims to provide end-users of vehicles with clear and relevant information about the quality of the tyre, and to guide them towards choosing a product which is more fuel efficient, has better wet braking and is less noisy.
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PROPOSAL
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters [COM(2008) 779 final Not published in the Official Journal].
SUMMARY
This Proposal for a Directive aims at harmonising information concerning the energy performance of tyres, as well as on wet braking and rolling noise. It should allow energy-efficient tyres to be promoted and thus increase the energy efficiency of road transport.
It applies to C1, C2 and C3 tyres and excludes from its scope:
- re-treaded tyres;
- off-road professional tyres;
- tyres designed to be fitted only to vehicles registered for the first time before 1 October 1990;
- T-type temporary-use spare tyres;
- tyres whose speed rating is less than 80 km/h;
- tyres whose nominal rim diameter does not exceed 254 mm or is 635 mm or more;
- tyres fitted with additional devices to improve traction properties (for example studded tyres).
Responsibilities of tyre suppliers
Tyre suppliers must monitor the labelling of C1 and C2 tyres delivered to distributors and end-users.
This labelling includes a sticker which must indicate:
- the fuel efficiency class (letter A to G);
- the wet grip class (letter A to G, only for C1 tyres);
- the external rolling noise measured value (in decibels).
Suppliers must declare this information in the technical promotional literature for tyres such as on their website or in catalogues.
Responsibilities of tyre distributors
Distributors must ensure that the labels delivered by suppliers are clearly visible on each of the tyres presented or stored at the point of sale. If tyres cannot be seen by end-users, they must supply this information to users themselves.
Responsibilities of car suppliers and car distributors
Car suppliers and car distributors must declare in the technical promotional literature the performance of tyres fitted on new vehicles in terms of fuel efficiency, wet braking and rolling noise.
If end-users of vehicles can choose their tyres, car suppliers and car distributors must give them the performance of each option of tyre in terms of fuel efficiency, wet braking and rolling noise.
Context
Tyres are responsible for 20 to 30 % of vehicles fuel consumption. The purchase of good quality tyres therefore allows fuel consumption to be reduced considerably, and consequently less CO2 to be produced. This is why labelling presenting detailed information on tyres is of prime importance for the protection of the environment.
This Proposal for a Directive is part of the Lisbon Strategy and the strategy for sustainable development. It will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of road transport, and therefore reaching the goals fixed in terms of sustainable mobility.
Key terms of the Act
C1, C2 and C3 tyres: see the definition in Article 8 of COM(2008) 316 final.
T-type temporary-use spare tyres: temporary-use spare tyre designed for use at inflation pressures higher than those established for standard and reinforced tyres.
Technical promotional literature: all printed and electronic material used in the marketing of tyres or vehicles aimed at end-users or distributors which describes the specific parameters of a tyre, including technical manuals, brochures, Internet marketing, leaflets and catalogues;
Supplier: the manufacturer or its authorised representative in the Community or the importer.
Distributor: any natural or legal person in the supply chain, other than the supplier or the importer, who makes a tyre available on the market.
End-user: a consumer, including a fleet manager or road transport company that is buying or expected to buy a tyre.
REFERENCES AND PROCEDURE
Proposal: COM(2008) 779
Procedure: COD/2008/0221
