ETRMA: Euro 7 deal paves way for industry to address tire wear issues

Brussels – The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has welcomed a provisional agreement between the European Council and European Parliament on rules setting emission limits for road vehicles.

Among other requirements, the Euro 7 regulation approved 19 Dec, marks the first time the EU has set a framework for limiting tire abrasion – the fourth tire characteristic to be regulated after rolling resistance, wet grip and noise.

“The provisional Euro 7 agreement positions the European tire industry at the forefront of cleaner mobility", ETRMA secretary general Adam McCarthy commented in a 19 Dec release.

The ETRMA, added McCarthy, is “committed to achieving technically robust and workable tire abrasion test methods for all tire classes.

“The Euro 7 regulation will help manage tire and road wear particles and drive the competitiveness of the European tire industry."

According to ETRMA, Euro 7 will ensure alignment with efforts by the UNECE 'world forum for harmonisation of vehicle regulations' (WP.29) to develop globally-agreed test methods and limits for tire abrasion.

The European tire industry has pledged to make “significant investments” to conduct a market assessment in 2024 to support the development of regulatory abrasion limits.

The industry, added ETRMA, is "working towards the swift conclusion of the activities within the UN to establish tire abrasion limits as soon as possible and to materialise the sustainability and competitiveness gains of Euro 7.”