Under new rules adopted by the European Parliament, as already agreed with the Council of Ministers, tyre labelling will have to inform consumers about the tyre’s fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise. The aim is to increase consumer awareness, improve safety and decrease noise pollution.
In the future, information on mileage, abrasion, retreaded tyres and on snow and ice grip will be added to the labels. Mileage and abrasion performance data would be included when a testing method becomes available. The abrasion of tyres during use is a significant source of micro-plastics, which are harmful to the environment.
The new labelling scheme would also apply to heavy-duty vehicles (so-called C3 tyres), which are currently not covered by EU labelling requirements.
Labels must be clearly visible to consumers, be on display in all situations where tyres are being sold, including online, and should provide a QR code for easy scan.
Rapporteur Henna Virkkunen (EPP, FI) said: “The updated tyre label is a simple but efficient tool, contributing to safer and cleaner mobility by encouraging changes in consumer behaviour. The regulation ensures that consumers receive clear, relevant and comparable information when choosing their tyres.
Particles released from tyres account for the majority of the micro plastics in the environment. The regulation addresses this pressing issue by including the parameters of mileage and abrasion into the scope as soon as suitable testing methods become available.”
The agreement will now have to be formally adopted by the Council of Ministers. It would then be applicable from 1 May 2021.
The new labelling scheme could lead to a reduction of 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and to an increased turnover of €9 billion in manufacturing. The new regulation on the labelling of tyres will repeal and replace the 2009 Tyre Labelling Regulation once it enters into force.
