EU Tyre Labels Explained

The Tyre Label is a mark for motor vehicle tyres. Manufacturers of tyres for cars, light and heavy trucks must specify fuel consumption, wet grip and noise classification of every tyre sold in EU market starting in November 2012.[1] For passenger car, light truck and truck tyres the information must be available in technical promotional literature (leaflets, brochures, etc.), including the manufacturer website For passenger and light truck tyres, the manufacturers or importers have the choice of either putting a sticker on the tyre tread or a label accompanying each delivery of batch of tyres to the dealer and to the end consumer The tyre label will use a classification from the best (green category "A") to the worst performance (red category "G").

This initiative results from a regulation by the EU Commission released in 2009. It is part of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan, designed to improve the energy performance of products, buildings and services to reduce energy consumption by 20% until 2020. The EU has already created a system for marking of electrical household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and televisions with the intent to inform the European population better about the level of their consumption.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance is the main key factor in measuring the energy efficiency of a tyre and has direct influence on the fuel consumption of a vehicle. A set of tyres of the green class "A" compared to a "G" class can reduce fuel consumption by 7,5% of a passenger car; even more for trucks.

'D' Grading is not used in rolling resistance grading for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks while it is used for Heavy Trucks

Wet grip

Basis for wet grip is the absolute stopping distance when driving 80km per hour. Between each class, there are 3-6 metres difference in braking distance. Classes "D" and "G" are not used.

Noise emission

The driving by noise is quoted as an absolute value in decibel and as a 3 classes sound wave symbol. A continuous sound level above 80 decibel can cause health problems.

Tyres that must be labeled

The Tyre Label will generally apply to:

  • Car and SUV tyres
  • Van tyres
  • Truck tyres

Exemptions from labelling

  • Tyres for cars made before 1 Oct 1990
  • Re-treaded tyres
  • Motorcycle tyres
  • Racing/sports car tyres
  • Studded tyres
  • Spare tyres
  • Vintage car tyres
  • Professional off-road tyres

Tax on noisy tyres

Tyres that make too much noise as determined by the EU, will have an extra tax/penalty imposed on them from November 2012.

Reporting requirements

Tyre manufacturer

– For passenger car, light truck and truck tyres the information must be available in the technical promotional literature (leaflets, brochures, etc.), including the manufacturer website – For passenger and light truck tyres, the manufacturers or importers have the choice of either putting a sticker on the tyre tread or a label accompanying each delivery of batch of tyres to the dealer and to the end consumer

Tyre dealer

– Must ensure tyres which are visible to consumers at the point of sale carry a sticker or have a label in their close proximity which is shown to the end user before the sale – Must give the information during the purchase process when the tyres offered for sale are not visible to the end-user – Must give the information on or with the bill

Car manufacturer

– Must declare the tyre wet grip and fuel efficiency class and external rolling noise measured value of the tyre type(s) that are offered in option, when different from those fitted normally on the basic vehicle. – As soon as the customer is given a choice either in the size / type of tyres fitted on the basic rim or a choice of rim and tyre size, the labelling information must be provided before sale. – There might be no obligation to provide information only in those cases where there is a choice of rim with tyres types and sizes that are strictly identical to those which are sold automatically with the new vehicle.

EU-Commission

  • Detailed information about contents and design of the label.
  • Each EU member state is to organise monitoring and impose penalties in cases of non-compliance.

Critical View

The new label is designed to show information regarding 3 criteria, however there are many other important performance factors to consider including:

  • Resistance to aquaplaning
  • Driving stability
  • Handling and steering precision on wet and dry roads
  • Durability
  • Braking performance on dry roads
  • Capabilities in winter conditions

Automotive manufacturers require the very highest standard across all these performance factors before they approve tyres for their new vehicles. Furthermore, widely published tyre tests also take these performance factors into account and therefore continue to be an excellent source of independent information regarding the total performance of a tyre.