New tyre labelling format for European Union to highlight fuel efficiency, safety, noise performance

New tyre labelling format for European Union to highlight fuel efficiency, safety, noise performance

The European Commission (EC) has brought into effect a new set of rules for the labelling of road tyres, which aims to highlight their fuel efficiency, safety and noise performance of new tyres at consumer level from May 1 this year. This is an update of the label that was first introduced in 2012 for car and van tyres, and the new rules dictate that tyres for buses and trucks must be labeled as such, as well.

The new rules are set out under Regulation (EU) 2020/740, which replaces the previous Regulation (EC) No. 1222/2009, according to the EC.

The new tyre labelling follows the colour-coded classification system used for household appliances such as refrigerators, and various parameters are now graded on a scale of five classes for rolling resistance and wet-surface braking; the latter has now been adjusted from the previous iteration of the scale with six classes. Also included are two categories for external noise (rated in decibels).

The rolling resistance class ranges from class A (most efficient) to class E (least efficient), replacing the previous classification system of six grades from A to F. Wet grip classification is graded on braking distances in the wet, and this also ranges from class A (shortest braking distance) to E (longest braking distance). The difference in each category can mean a difference of an additional three to six metres, said the EC.

The external tyre noise rating relates to the noise produced by a tyre on the outside, when the vehicle on which it is installed passes the observed location. Noise classes range from A (less noisy), to C (most noisy).

A tyre’s performance in those parameters determine how well they perform relative to specific requirements for tyres that are available on the European market, as outlned by Regulation (EC) No. 661/2009 on the general safety of motor vehicles.

As tyres continuously improve in their performance, the minimum performance requirements in order to be allowed to be put on sale in Europe have therefore become stricter, and those with the worst performance have progressively been outlawed, said the EC. In this case, tyres with an energy class worse than E, a wet grip class worse than E or noise class worse than B are banned from the European market.

There is now also provision for an optional pictogram for snow grip from winter tyres, depicted by what’s called the Alpine symbol, otherwise known as 3PMSF (three-peak mountain with snow flake). This same pictogram will also appear on the tyre sidewall.

A separate pictogram is used specifically for Nordic winter tyres, depicted by an ice stalagmite. To qualify for the pictogram on its label, the winter tyre must pass a specific test for braking on extreme ice. These tyres are only marketed in Nordic countries and should be used in extremely cold winter conditions, said the EC, and these tyres typically do not work well on wet surfaces or in less severe weather conditions, it added.

Standardised tests are used to assess the performance of tyres in all five parameters described on the new label, and only tyres that have performed to a pre-determined minimum level can bear the snow or ice symbol. National authorities are to perform random checks to determine the accuracy of the tyre’s performance levels, said the EC.

The new label is aimed at helping consumers make better informed choice when purchasing tyres, said the EC. Meanwhile, although the wet grip segment is an obvious measure of safety, it “does not go easily hand in hand with the most efficient rolling resistance,” the EC said in the statement.

The new label for a given tyre also features a QR code which allows users to find more information about the tyre chosen on the new European Union database. For stocks of tyres produced before May 2021, car and van tyres that bear the old label may still be sold until the end of 2021.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • In before buying China-made tyres... on Jun 19, 2021 at 3:02 am

    Sounds good, doesn’t work. At least in Malaysia anyways. Even Porsche owners bought cheap Chinese-made tyres to replace their expensive run-flats and drive top speed on highways without any care in the world. Many of my friends drives luxury cars but when it comes to tyres, use cap ayam ones. Tyres are too expensive here, don’t bother with all these stickers and labels. People will buy what they can afford, not what they should. It’s a sad reality, but living in shithole land, that is the cost to pay. :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 8
    • Can buy expensive cars cannot buy equivalent tyres and blame country for your own stupidity? Dude your problem isn’t less money, is how you spend it is the problem here.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • Shithole land citizen on Jun 19, 2021 at 3:56 pm

      That is right. MOT is slow as snake. They can ban cap ayam tyres but they close eyes. Look at the helmets. You can break your skull with it. EU is the leader when it comes to regulation and highest safety standard. We should follow them and not bow to CCP.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
    • teach them about priority first

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • Brian on Jun 19, 2021 at 10:49 pm

      If your “friends” could not afford some decent sets of tyres I wonder if they passed out every time they see the servicing bill. Oh wait, its due to shithole land they do not get free lifetime servicing for their luxury cars. As long their entitlements are not given free, everything must be a shithole.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Simona on Jun 21, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    This is the ETRMA European Tyre Manufactures’ Association video, if you wan to add it.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jxzTNf5q8&t=10s
    Best

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ollie on Jun 22, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    Tak faham why A is short bar and E is longer.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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