Tyres are very sophisticated products where safety, efficiency and other environmental performance parameters have to be duly balanced. They ensure comfort, acting as shock absorbers, and safety, by providing grip for braking, accelerating, maintaining steering and directional control in different weather and climatic conditions (on dry asphalt but also on wet surfaces or with heavy snow and severe ice conditions).
Tyres are covered by two sets of rules:
1. Minimal requirements tyres must satisfy to be placed on the Union market, are listed in Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 on type-approval for motor vehicles and their trailers, and systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles. Minimum requirements cover, e.g. rolling resistance, noise and wet grip performance of tyres.
2. The Tyre Labelling Regulation 2020/740 harmonising the information on tyre parameters to be provided to end-users allowing them to make informed purchasing choices. The regulation sets "information" requirements to facilitate consumer purchase decisions that cover both safety and environmental aspects. This is because safety, energy efficiency and durability aspects are potentially detrimental one of each other, thus the user needs to assess a correct balance of them. Safety aspects cover the classification of tyres according to the grip on wet asphalt, and the certification for use heavy snow situations and for extreme ice conditions.
International UNECE test methods are used for assessing tyre performance in both sets of legislation.
Tyres are going to be covered by additional minimum requirements on emissions of microplastics (abrasion). Information requirements are going to cover the labeling of retreaded bus and truck tyres and classification according to abrasion and kilometers run (mileage).
Scope
The following table shows some examples of products in scope and out of scope
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Check the complete list in Article 2 of the Regulation.
Type-approval Legislation
The minimum requirements that a tyre has to satisfy to be placed on the European market are set in Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 which establishes additional type-approval requirements for the automotive sector.
This legislation is an endorsement, at EU level, of UNECE regulations: the same minimum requirements are in force in any country applying UNECE rules.
Increased restrictions on minimum performance levels for tyres have progressively outlawed tyres with the worst performance. This is why from 7 classes (for rolling resistance and wet grip) only 5 classes appear on the current label. Further restrictions apply from 2024 that will reduce the "populated classes" to only 4. Similarly, for noise only 2 of the 3 classes appearing in the label are really populated.
Tyre Label
The label helps consumers make a more informed purchase decision when replacing their tyres.
Tyre labels need to provide a clear and common classification of tyre performance covering environmental aspects correctly balanced with safety ones. A very low rolling resistance could be obtained if grip was not considered (e.g. a tyre with a very low tread depth -similar to a worn out tyre - has low rolling resistance but would be unsafe in wet conditions), thus tyre manufacturer aim to find the best compromise for performance in all parameters displayed on the label (and more).
Standardised tests are used to assess the performance of tyres in all the 5 parameters indicated in the label. Only tyres reaching a predetermined minimal performance level can bear the snow or ice symbol. National authorities perform random controls to verify the veracity of the performance levels claimed.
The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) offers more detailed information on all tyres placed on the EU market in the scope of the tyre Regulation (i.e. all tyres that have to be sold bearing a tyre label on them). This can be accessed by scanning the QR code featured on tyre labels. The comparison opportunity provided by EPREL drives manufacturers to innovate to have their tyres appearing in the top classes, excelling in energy efficiency, safety and emitted noise.
Vehicle manufacturers, as well, have to provide to potential vehicle customers the information on the tyres mounted on the vehicles they are interested in: the purchase offer has to include the label information for any tyre possibly mounted as first equipment (OEM).
The rolling resistance of a tyre is linked to the amount of energy used to move the vehicle it is fitted to: such resistance is related to a number of aspects, including:
- the tyre deformation (hysteresis) when a tire flexes as it meets the road surface; this is related to the tyre design (tread, bead, belt and sidewall). The elastic deformation converts the energy into heat;
- compounds used (e.g. silica, carbon-black, etc.), in the tread in particular.
- the inflation pressure (that modifies the hysteresis). Tyres properly inflated can have as much as a 10% energy savings impact.
- the load and distribution of the vehicle;
- road conditions;
- ambient, weather and tyre temperature.
The rolling resistance rating is related to points 1 and 2 above. The higher the rolling resistance, the less range your vehicles has with the same energy (or, conversely, the higher the fuel consumption for the same covered distance). Rolling resistance is a parameter with a relevant impact on economic aspects, on top of the environmental ones, such as CO2 emissions if the fuel is not from renewable origin. The difference between each class can mean on average a difference of 80 litres of fuel consumption in an internal combustion car during the tyre lifetime or tens of kilometres of range for each charge for a battery electric vehicle.
The wet grip class is a critical safety feature, relating to the distance the vehicle takes on wet asphalt to stop when brakes are pushed hard. Tyres are rated A (the shortest braking distance) to E (the longest braking distance). In an emergency situation, a few metres can make all the difference. The difference between a class and another can mean an extra 3-6 metres on the stopping distance. Wet grip decreases when the tread is worn.
The external rolling noise relates to the noise produced by the tyre and perceived by a person when a car passes by. It is measured in dB (decibels). Noise classes range from A (less noise outside the vehicle) to B (more noise). Noise levels in the C class are not allowed anymore (because in restriction introduced by type approval legislation. By choosing a tyre with a good noise rating you lower the impact of your driving on the surrounding environment. A difference of 3dB doubles the amount of external noise the tyre produces. Tyres with a low noise level have between 67 and 71 dB, the highest levels are up to 77 dB.
This noise is different from the “cavity noise”, caused by resonance of the air inside the tyre cavity during rotation and that is transmitted, via the rims and organs, to the vehicle cabin (no rating exist for this noise).
Winter tyres approved for use in severe snow conditions can be recognised by a specific pictogram, called the « Alpine symbol » or 3PMSF (3 Peaks Mountain with Snow Flake), that is also moulded on the tyre sidewall of such tyres. To bear the pictogram, the tyre has to pass a specific test, by measuring the braking distance of a car launched on compacted snow or by measuring the traction force of a tyre. For a truck, the pictogram is granted by measuring the acceleration performance of a tyre on such snow. Snow grip performance in general is tested in accordance with Annex 7 to UNECE Regulation No 117 that describes in detail factors as test surface, air temperature, testing vehicle, load, pressure, speed and more.
Nordic winter tyres, or ice tyres, approved for use in extremely cold conditions can be recognised by an additional specific pictogram, representing an ice stalagmite.These tyres provides a shorter braking distance on ice covered roads in winter and tests are according to the ISO standard 19447 (only C1 tyres, for passenger cars). These tyres are available in Nordic countries to be used only in those extremely cold winter conditions. Usually they have very poor performance on a wet surface, thus should not be used in southern countries. To bear the pictogram the tyre has to pass a specific test for braking on completely iced surface.
You may well compare the many tyres on the European market by consulting the products database EPREL
Highlights
The tyre labelling Regulation, that first entered in force in 2012, has helped to reduce energy consumption by up to 45 TWh per year and to avoid roughly 15 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year by 2020.
Facts & Figures
This graphic shows the estimated sales, stock, energy consumption (primary, electric or fuel), greenhouse gas emissions, consumer expenses and business revenues for years 2010 and 2030. The estimated values inside the graph bars are those from the EIA ECO-scenario.
The difference with the business as usual (BAU) scenario without these estimated measures is shown next to the graph bar. These figures indicate the estimated savings obtained due to the measures.
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Product: Tyres Measures: Regulation (EU) 2020/740 ('Tyre Label') |
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SALES (million units)  |
STOCK (million units)  |
Fuel (TWh/a)  |
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GHG-EMISSION  |
CONSUMER EXPENSES  |
REVENUES  |
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Expected Savings
The annual fuel consumption related to the rolling resistance of tyres was 650 TWh/a in 2005, before the introduction of tyre labelling measures. It is estimated this would have increased to 660 TWh/a by 2030 in the absence of the tyre labelling measures. The labelling regulation, including the 2020 revision, is projected to reduce this consumption to 603 TWh/a (-57 TWh, -9%).
These savings correspond to 15 Mt CO2eq/a lower GHG-emissions in 2030.
The EIA does not consider the indirect societal effects of the Tyre Labelling regulation, e.g. the decrease in health costs due to less victims and injuries from road incidents, due to better wet-grip of tyres, or the decrease in health costs due to lower emissions.
Total EU27 Fuel Losses due to RRC of Tyres
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Documents
Suppliers
Tyre suppliers shall register in the product database EPREL any tyre type, in the scope of the tyre labelling Regulation, before they place it on the Union market. The steps necessary to perform such registrations are explained in the general section for suppliers.
The EPREL registration system automatically produces the tyre label with the required QR code on it. Tyre suppliers must ensure that any single tyre placed on the Union market has a sticker, with the label on it. Batches of identical tyres, sold to a single customer, may be accompanied by a single printed label.
The detailed and specific obligations on distributors and dealers are listed in Articles 4 and 5 of Regulation(EU) 2020/740.
You may find useful to consult the specific FAQs section on tyres for suppliers.
Distributors and dealers
Tyre distributors shall ensure that at the point of sale, tyres are put in display with the label sticker well visible or, if the tyres are not visible, they must show anyhow the label before the purchase or any commitment is completed.
Specific obligations are set for promotional material, distance selling, telemarketing and on-line sales on the Internet. In short, the potential customer has always to have access to the label information and it must be placed close to the price indication or the "purchase" button, if any.
The detailed and specific obligations on distributors and dealers are listed in Article 6 of Regulation(EU) 2020/740.
You may find useful to consult the specific FAQs section on tyres for Distributors and Tyre Dealers
Vehicle suppliers and distributors
The label has to help the end-user in making an informed purchase choice.
Vehicle suppliers and vehicle distributors must provide to the potential customer, that "intend to acquire a vehicle", the information on the tyre label for all tyres offered with or fitted on the vehicle. “Intend to acquire” suggests that the purchase decision is close to be taken but not formalised yet, as, in principle, it may influence their purchase choice (e.g. on which rims-tyre combination)..
The obligation can be considered to be fulfilled if the information on the tyre label and in the relevant technical promotional material is part of the documentation provided to the end-user “intending to acquire” a new vehicle.
The obligation has to be fulfilled at the very latest before an irreversible action such the signature of the purchase contract.
This has to be considered as applicable not only for a vehicle displayed in a store, but also for on-line sales.
The specific obligations on vehicle manufacturers are listed in Article 7 of Regulation(EU) 2020/740.
You may find useful to consult the specific FAQs section on tyres for vehicle suppliers and distributors.
Documents
Policy
Ongoing legislative work
Please check the ongoing initiatives on the Have your say portal.
Regulation (EU) 2020/740 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 2020 on the labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other parameters, amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009 (Text with EEA relevance).
Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on market surveillance and compliance of products and amending Directive 2004/42/EC and Regulations (EC) No 765/2008 and (EU) No 305/2011 (OJ L 169, 25.6.2019, pp. 1-44)
Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC (OJ L 151, 14.6.2018, pp. 1-218)
Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, pp. 1-23)
Regulation (EC) 1222/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters (OJ L 342, 22.12.2009, pp. 46-58)
Regulation (EC) 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 200, 31.7.2009, pp. 1-24)
Commission communication 2012/C 86/03 in the framework of the implementation of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1235/2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the wet grip grading of tyres, the measurement of rolling resistance and the verification procedure Text with EEA relevance (Publication of the reference laboratories for the purpose of the alignment procedure concerning the measurement of rolling resistance of tyres for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009 as amended by Regulation (EU) No 1235/2011)