Regulation, labour, and EUDR: ETRMA’s policy recommendations for EU automotive ecosystem

Brussels – The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has outlined key recommendations for EU policymakers to support a competitive and sustainable automotive industry.

Recognising that the tire and rubber sector is crucial for the automotive sector and mobility ecosystem, ETRMA said the policy proposals aim to support Europe’s twin green and digital transition.

In a 4 Dec policy paper, ETRMA noted that the European tire industry is at “a crossroads,” adding that its recommendations are designed to create “a conducive regulatory environment.”

“High energy, labour, and raw material costs, paired with strong price competition from tires produced outside the EU, have negatively impacted the competitiveness of our industry,” the paper said.

ETRMA urged the European Commission to prioritise sector-specific regulation for access to in-vehicle data as well as the harmonisation of end-of-waste criteria for tires.

Access to in-vehicle data, it said, boosts innovation and enhances safety, unlocking the potential of "the data economy" for the entire automotive ecosystem.

“Sensor-equipped tires provide valuable data on road conditions, tire status, driving patterns, and more,” ETRMA explained.

Regulated access to this data, it said, enables stakeholders to develop services that improve predictive maintenance, fleet management, and eco-driving.

To tackle tire waste, ETRMA said that standardising waste criteria could fast-track benefits for recycling markets and circular economy goals.

“Article 6 of the Waste Framework Regulation allows the development of such criteria for tires through secondary legislation and can, therefore, be prioritised,” said the Brussels-based association.

Clear and unified standards, ETRMA said, will boost markets for secondary raw materials and support sustainable and circular innovations in the tire industry.

ETRMA also urged the promotion of retreaded tires to support circular economy goals through financial incentives, public procurement, and consumer awareness campaigns.

Additionally, ETRMA advocated for promoting ‘best-performing tires’ to reduce emissions and improve safety.

“High-performance tires can improve road safety by reducing stopping distances by up to four car lengths and decrease fuel consumption by up to 7.5%, resulting in CO? reductions,” it added.

These steps, ETRMA said, would immediately cut carbon emissions and improve safety standards across the EU.

The association also called on the EU to facilitate the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and define an "EU rubber strategy."

“Rubber is essential for tires and many automotive components, collectively weighing as much as the four tires combined,” said ETRMA.

Complementary strategies, it added, are essential to ensure “smooth implementation of the EUDR and to support rubber availability in the European market.”