Deal Struck on EU Tyre Labelling Law Seems “Rubbery”

A new tyre law making its way through the various European Institutions will mean tyres have to show fuel efficiency, wet grip, external rolling noise, snow and ice grip.

According to the sponsors of the law, its purpose is to “increase consumer awareness and improve market surveillance across the EU, to reap the potential benefits for the environment, health and safety.”

The EU has noted that the abrasion of tyres during use is a significant source of micro-plastics, which are harmful to the environment. However, the EU have not outlined where it’s claim that the new rules would lead “to an increased turnover of €9 billion.”

That €9 billion does not, in any part of the law making its way through the European Institutions, have any background information or data to back it up.

The new law doesn’t end there either. Provisions have been built into the legislation to allow for its expansion in the future, to include information on mileage, abrasion, retreated tyres and for snow and ice grip. The authors of the law acknowledge that there is no current way to accurately test the mileage and abrasion of a new tyre, so an additional provision has been included to set out that performance data would be added when a suitable testing method becomes available.

Finnish Member of the European Parliament, Henna Virkkunen said; “Everybody knows the energy label, it is a trade mark. In the same way, the new tyre label allows consumers to make informed choices. For example, information on a tyre’s fuel efficiency helps consumers to cut emissions and save money, as tyres contribute to as much as 20-30% of the vehicle’s fuel consumption.

“The problem of micro-plastics released from the tyres is another important concern. I am happy that all the institutions have agreed to include micro-plastics on the label as soon as possible, once reliable testing methods and standards become available.”

The informal agreement will now have to be endorsed by the European Parliament’s Industry committee and the Council’s Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER).

It would then move for approval by both Parliament and Council, at which point, assuming it is approved, it would be applicable from 1st May 2021.