Revised EU tire label rules to come into force this month

Brussels – Revised EU tire label rules, under Tyre Label Regulation (EU) 2020/740, will enter into force on 25 June, regulators have announced via the Official Journal of the European Union.  The new rules will then be applicable as of 1 May 2021.

The move follows approval by the European Parliament and of the Council on 25 May of the new rules for ‘labelling of tires with respect to fuel efficiency and other parameters.” 

The document amends tire labelling regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and also represents a repeal of Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009 on which the original EU tire labelling scheme was based.

The revised rules, proposed by the European Commission in May 2018, aim to make labels “more visible, more future proof and more accurate.” 

The changes, which have been broadly welcome by the industry, are expected to increase consumer awareness of the tire label, and help improve market surveillance and enforcement of the regulation through multiple measures, including “sanctions and penalties.”

In addition, a new feature of “product information database” is expected to strengthen the information chain between tire manufacturers and authorities.

The new labels also include QR codes as well as the logos indicating if the tire is for use in snow/ice conditions. 

The tire label is an important instrument to inform both consumers and professional users on the fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise performance of the individual tire.

A recent assessment by the European Commission, however, has indicated a slow market uptake of high-grade tires, due in part to limited awareness surrounding the label.

The full revised regulation, published by the Official Journal of the European Union  on 5 June, can be viewed here