Vehicle tyre labelling
The fuel efficiency labelling of tyres provides a clear and common classification of tyre performance for rolling resistance, braking on wet surfaces, and external noise. Labels help consumers make informed choices when purchasing tyres, as they can easily determine what is important for them based on these three parameters. At the same time, the labels are driving manufacturers to innovate to produce tyres that rank top for fuel efficiency, road safety and noise reduction.
Regulation (EU) 2020/740 (hereafter the “Regulation”) entered into force on 25 June 2020 and replaced the existing Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009 from 1 May 2021 onwards.
The Regulation applies to C1 tyres for cars, C2 tyres for small trucks and C3 tyres for heavy-duty vehicles and, among other things, covers new labelling for tyres.
NEW LABELLING OF TYRES
Under the new Regulation, in addition to the standard label, there are also options for including an ice and/or snow grip pictogram next to the noise pictogram. This gives consumers a total of 4 labelling options.
The fuel efficiency class ranges from A (most efficient) to E (least efficient). A top class tyre has less resistance and therefore requires less fuel to propel the vehicle. This translates into lower energy (fossil fuel or electricity) costs.
Wet grip class
The external rolling noise class ranges from A (less noise outside the vehicle) to C (more noise). This noise is different from 'cavity noise', which is the noise transmitted from the wheels to the inside of the car.
Tyres suitable for severe snow conditions must have a pictogram that must also appear on the side wall of such tyres.
Nordic winter tyres for use on icy surfaces must have a new pictogram depicting an ice stalagmite.
Standard tests are used to evaluate the performance of tyres and must be indicated on the label. National authorities can check the accuracy of the required performance levels. A QR code, readable using a smartphone or other suitable scanning program, is intended to provide additional information from a European Commission database.
Obligations of tyre suppliers
Under Article 4 of the Regulation, from 1 May 2021 onwards suppliers must ensure that tyres in classes C1, C2 and C3 that are placed on the market are accompanied, free of charge:
for each individual tyre, by a tyre label, in the form of a sticker, that complies with the requirements set out in Annex II of the Regulation, indicating the information and class for each of the parameters set out in Annex I, and by a product information sheet;
or
for each batch of one or more identical tyres, by a printed tyre label that complies with the requirements set out in Annex II of the Regulation, indicating the information and class for each of the parameters set out in Annex I, and by a product information sheet.
For tyres offered for sale on the internet, suppliers may make the tyre label for a specific tyre type available in a nested display.
Any technical promotional material concerning a specific tyre type must depict the tyre label for that tyre type and include the information set out in Annex IV of the Regulation.
Please note that:
for tyres produced before 1 May 2021 (with a tyre index up to 1721) that were placed on the market:
before 1 May 2021, the new label does not apply to class C3 tyres, while for class C1 and C2 tyres, labelling requirements under Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009 remain in effect;
after 1 May 2021, the new label applies to all tyre classes (C1, C2, C3).
For tyres produced from 1 May 2021 onwards (with a tyre index from 1821) and placed on the market, the new label applies to all tyre classes (C1, C2, C3).
From 1 December 2021, no tyre falling within the scope of this Regulation may be placed on the market with a label that is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009, irrespective of its date of production.
In line with Article 5, from 1 May 2021 onwards, suppliers must enter the information specified in Annex VII of the Regulation into the EPREL database before placing on the market a tyre produced after 1 May 2021.
For tyres produced before 25 June 2020 (with a tyre index up to 2620) and placed on the market, entry of the product in the EPREL database was voluntary, while for tyres produced between 25 June 2020 and 30 April 2021 (with a tyre index from 2720 to 1721) and placed on the market either before or after 1 May 2021, entry in the EPREL database was mandatory and had to be done by 30 November 2021.
Obligations of tyre distributors
Under Article 6 of the Regulation, tyre distributors must ensure that:
at the point of sale, tyres bear a tyre label, in the form of a sticker provided by the supplier, in accordance with Article 4 of the Regulation in a clearly visible position and legible in its entirety, and that the product information sheet is available, including, upon request, in printed form; alternatively, before the sale of a tyre that is part of a batch of one or more identical tyres, a printed tyre label that complies with the requirements set out in Annex II of the Regulation, is shown to the end-user and is clearly displayed close to the tyre at the point of sale, and that the product information sheet is available;
the tyre label is displayed in any visual advertisement for a specific tyre type. If the visual advertisement indicates the price of that tyre type, the tyre label must be displayed close to the price indication. For visual advertisements on the internet for a specific tyre type, distributors may make the tyre label available in a nested display;
any technical promotional material concerning a specific tyre type displays the tyre label and includes the information set out in Annex IV of the Regulation;
where tyres offered for sale are not visible to the end-user at the time of sale, a copy of the tyre label is provided to the end-user before sale;
any paper‐based distance selling shows the tyre label and that end-users can access the product information sheet through a free access website, and can request a printed copy of the product information sheet;
when telemarketing‐based distance selling is used, end-users are informed of the classes for each of the parameters on the tyre label, and end-users are informed that they can access the tyre label and the product information sheet through a free access website, and by requesting a printed copy;
for tyres sold on the internet, that the tyre label is displayed close to the price indication and that the product information sheet can be accessed. The size of the tyre label is such that it is clearly visible and legible and proportionate to the size specified in point 2.1 of Annex II to the Regulation.
Obligations of vehicle suppliers and vehicle distributors
Under Article 7 of the Regulation, where end-users intend to acquire a new vehicle, vehicle suppliers and vehicle distributors must provide, before the sale, those end-users with the tyre label for the tyres offered with or fitted on the vehicle and any relevant technical promotional material, and must ensure that the product information sheet is available.
The European Commission has prepared a FAQ document concerning the articles of the Regulation, which is available at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/energy-label-and-ecodesign/energy-efficient-products/tyres_en.
In order to better implement the Regulation, the Energy Service has drafted and enacted the new ‘Labelling of Tyres with respect to Fuel Efficiency and other Parameters Law of 2022’ (Law 206(I)/2022).
