What’s new about the tyre regulations?

EU tyre labelling

From May 2021, Regulation (EU) 2020/740 applies, changing the way tyres are labelled. Find out more about the meaning of the tyre label and what’s new about the tyre energy rating.

Goodyear has worked closely with the European Institutions on the updated tyre label to promote industry innovation and to help consumers make more informed decisions about their tyres. We believe that the new EU tyre label will allow consumers to obtain more relevant and comparable information on tyre parameters and empower end-users to make an informed choice when purchasing new tyres. The new EU tyre label also provides more detailed information available online – making it easier for consumers and professionals to make the right choice. We prepared a more detailed tyre label explanation for you in the following sections.

EU tyre label: Overview

The EU tyre label and efficiency classes come in a new design and slightly changed due to a newly formed scale. The former standard label only showed tyre classes with regard to rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise. The new EU tyre label holds additional information on tyre performances in snow and ice weather conditions. The scale of the label classes for wet grip and rolling resistance now have 5 instead of 7 classes, designated with the letters A to E. 

Fuel Efficiency

Did you know that tyres account for up to 20% of your vehicle’s fuel consumption? Choosing tyres with a high fuel efficiency rating will give you more miles from your tank and lower your CO2 emissions. Depending on the tyre’s rolling resistance, its fuel efficiency will range from class A, which indicates the best fuel economy all the way through to class E, delivering the worst fuel economy. Between classes, fuel consumption increases by approximately 0.1 liter for every 100 km driven. Simply put, fuel-efficient tyres require less energy to roll. This ultimately translates into less fuel used and you’ll also be reducing your environmental impact!

Wet grip rating

‘Wet grip’ is the tyre’s ability to stick to the road in wet conditions. The EU rating focuses only on one aspect of wet grip – the wet braking performance of the tyre. The performance is graded between class A and class E. Tyres with a high wet grip rating will stop more quickly on wet roads when full brakes are applied. In an emergency situation, a few metres can make all the difference.

Note: You should always respect the recommended stopping distances when driving.

*When measured according to the test methods set out in Regulation EC 1222/2009. Braking distances may vary according to driving conditions and other influencing factors.

Noise rating

The EU tyre ratings also consider the exterior noise a tyre generates while driving. By choosing a tyre with a good noise rating you can lower the impact of your driving on the surrounding environment. The noise level is sorted into class A, B or C. The rolling noise of the tyre is measured in decibels and the exact number is shown in the bottom part of the label. Tyres with a low noise level have between 67 and 71 dB. The highest level shows sound waves in between 72 and 77 dB. An increase of just a few decibels represents a big difference in noise levels. In fact, a difference of 3dB doubles the amount of external noise the tyre produces.


An explanation of the new EU tyre label

There is some newly designed information to find on the updated version of the EU tyre label. Here’s the new design of the EU tyre label explained in a nutshell:

 

The QR code:

The inclusion of a QR code provides easy access to product details in the public part of the EU product database. The code can be scanned and grants access to product information sheets and european tyre labels.

The tyre type identifier:

Each tyre product must identify through a unique tyre designation.

The snow tyre icon:

There are two new options for including an additional icon. The snow tyre icon shows, if a tyre is suitable for severe snow conditions. It bears a three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF) that is incorporated in the sidewall of such tyres. The pictogram is granted by measuring the braking distance of a car from 25 mph 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. Snow grip performance in general is tested in accordance with Annex 7 to UNECE Regulation No 117. The regulation describes in detail such factors as test surface, air temperature, testing vehicle, load, pressure, speed, and many more.

The ice tyre icon:

The second new icon features a symbol of an ice stalagmite and indicates that a tyre provides a shorter braking distance on ice covered roads in winter. Information on ice grip performance will be based on the ISO standard (ISO 19447), which is expected to be published in July 2021. For tyres meeting the technical requirements, the ice grip pictogram will be included on the new EU tyre label of a C1 tyre (passenger car tyre), which satisfies the minimum ice grip index values set out in that ISO standard. The pictogram is granted by measuring the braking distance of a car from 20mph on pure ice. The standards for C2 and C3 tyres are still to be defined.


Take a look at our tyres

Goodyear fully supports these revisions of the Tyre Labeling Regulation and is happy to provide its customers with more relevant information on tyre parameters when making a tyre purchase. We are firm believers that it is our mission to promote tyres with the best safety for consumers, which are fuel saving and stand for environmental protection throughout the whole tyre industry. Our experts will gladly advise you for the most perfect fit of tyres for your car and needs!

Summary of changes

  • Reduced rating levels: Fuel efficiency and wet grip are now rated in 5 levels (from A to E) instead of 7
  • External rolling noise is rated from A (lowest noise level) to C (highest noise level)
  • The new EU tyre label provides a QR code that can be scanned to get access to product details
  • Each tyre label must show a unique identifier
  • The new snow tyre icon shows, if a tyre is suitable for severe snow conditions
  • A new ice grip icon indicates. if a C1 tyre (passenger car tyre) satisfies the minimum ice grip index values set out in the new ISO 19447 standard

FAQ

Introduced  in  2012,  the  tire  label  provides  consumers  across  Europe  with  essential  information  on  fuel efficiency, safety, and noise by detailing the tires’ rolling resistance, wet grip, and external rolling noise. By  using  this  common scale,  the  aim  of  the  EU  tire  label  is  to  make  it  easier  for  consumers  to  make  an informed choice when buying new tires. As of the 1stof May 2021, the revised tire label will come into effect.

With  the  revised  tire  label  regulation,  the  European  Commission  aims  to  increase  safety  as  well  as economic and environmental efficiency of road transport by promoting fuel‐efficient, safe tires with low noise levels. The new label also includes new information for consumers indicating if a tire is suitable for use in severe snow conditions or in extreme ice conditions.

Goodyear supports revisions of the Tire Labeling Regulation and is committed to fulfilling all obligations regarding its implementation. We believe that the new EU tire label will allow consumers to obtain more relevant  and  comparable  information  on  tire  parameters  and  empower  end-users  to  make  an  informed choice  when  purchasing  new  tires.  It  will  also  help  promote  tires  which  provide  the  best  safety  and environmental performances. Furthermore, the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL) with registrations of all tires available in the EU will contribute to improving the information flow between tire manufacturers and authorities, and ultimately enhance market surveillance.

The new tire label regulation will apply from May 1, 2021. Until then, the current tire label remains in use.

The new tire label regulation applies only to new passenger car tires  (C1  tires), light commercial vehicle tires (C2 tires) and heavy vehicle tires (C3 tires).

The new tire label regulation applies only to new passenger car tires  (C1  tires), light commercial vehicle tires (C2 tires) and heavy vehicle tires (C3 tires). The following categories are currently excluded from the scope of the new  regulation: retreadedtires, off-roadtires, racingtires, studdedtires, temporary use sparetires, tires designed to be fitted on vehicles registered for the first time before 1 October 1990, tires whose speed rating is less than 80 km/h, tires whose nominal rim diameter does not exceed 254 mm or is 635 mm or more.

  • The new regulation will apply also to truck tires, so it will comprise tire classes C1 (passenger car tires), C2 (light commercial vehicle tires) and C3 (heavy commercial vehicle tires).
  • Under the new regulation, in addition to the standard label (rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise), there are also options for including an icon indicating if a tire is suitable forsevere snow conditionsand another new icon for grip onice. Tires suitable for severe snow conditions bear  the  three-peak  mountain  snowflake  symbol  (3PMSF)  that  is  present  on  the  sidewall  of  such tires. The C1 (passenger car) tires fulfilling the requirements of the upcoming ISO standard for ice performance will feature a new symbol that represents an ice stalagmite.
  • A minor change has been implemented regarding the label classes for rolling resistance and wet grip: current empty or unoccupied classes for C1 and C2 tires have been filled and redundant label classes (which are no longer permitted according to limit values) have been deleted to form a new scale which has only 5 classes (A to E).
  • In  the bottom  part, thenoise class (A, B or C)will be always indicated in addition to the value of external noise level in decibels.
  • Under the new regulation, tire labels need to  also include the name of  the tire manufacturer, as well as a unique identifier, the tire type identifier.
  • Finally,  the  tire  label  will  have  to  include  the QR  code,  which  is  intended  to  link  directly  to  the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL).

All C1, C2 and C3 tires produced from the 1stof May 2021 and necessarily placed on the market after this date must bear the new label. However, there is no obligation for dealers to relabel tires that are on stock after the 1stof May if these tires were placed on the market before that date, so before the new tire label regulation came into effect. In other words, tires placed on the market prior to the 1stof May can remain with the old label until they are sold. Therefore, both the old and the new label may be found on tires at sales points even after the 1stof May 2021, depending on the date of placing these tires on the market.

Tire manufactures have the choice of either putting a sticker on the tire tread or including a printed label with each delivery of batch of identical tires to the dealer. Goodyear will ensure that all tires delivered to tire dealers will bear stickers with the label. For all tires, the label information must also be included on the manufacturer’s web pages, brochures and technical promotional documentation given to the buyer.Tire  manufacturers  must  also  enter  the  information  required  by  the  new  tire  label  regulation  into  the product database (EPREL) before placing a tire on the market from the 1stof May 2021.

EPREL  is  the  European  Product  Database  for  Energy  Labelling  which  was  set  up  to  provide  important energy efficiency information to consumers. Its purpose is to enhance market surveillance activities and enforcement  in  the  EU.  It  is  a  legal  requirement  for  suppliers  (manufacturers,  importers  or  authorized representatives) of products covered by the EU Energy Labelling Regulations (e.g. household appliances) to upload information about their products into the database before placing these products on the market in  the  EU.  According  to  the  new  tire  label  regulation,  tire  manufacturers  will  also  need  to  enter  the information into the product database before placing a tire on the EU market from the 1stof May 2021.

The label provides basic information on threeessential aspects of a tire’s performance (fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise) to help consumers make an informed choice. However, the label does not cover all parameters related to the overall performance of a tire. By comparison, independent surveys carried  out  by  automotive  magazines  cover  on  average fifteenaspects  of  tire  performance,  while Goodyear  analyses  over fiftycriteria,  including  aquaplaning  resistance,  dry  handling,  dry  braking,  high speed stability, milage and many more. Therefore, the label cannot replace quality testing byspecialized laboratories or information provided by manufacturers and others, which use a wider range of criteria to assess tire performance.

FAQ

  1. What is the tire label?

    Introduced  in  2012,  the  tire  label  provides  consumers  across  Europe  with  essential  information  on  fuel efficiency, safety, and noise by detailing the tires’ rolling resistance, wet grip, and external rolling noise. By  using  this  common scale,  the  aim  of  the  EU  tire  label  is  to  make  it  easier  for  consumers  to  make  an informed choice when buying new tires. As of the 1stof May 2021, the revised tire label will come into effect.

  2. Why is the European Commission changing the existing tire label?

    With  the  revised  tire  label  regulation,  the  European  Commission  aims  to  increase  safety  as  well  as economic and environmental efficiency of road transport by promoting fuel‐efficient, safe tires with low noise levels. The new label also includes new information for consumers indicating if a tire is suitable for use in severe snow conditions or in extreme ice conditions.

  3. What is Goodyear’s position on the revised tire label regulation?

    Goodyear supports revisions of the Tire Labeling Regulation and is committed to fulfilling all obligations regarding its implementation. We believe that the new EU tire label will allow consumers to obtain more relevant  and  comparable  information  on  tire  parameters  and  empower  end-users  to  make  an  informed choice  when  purchasing  new  tires.  It  will  also  help  promote  tires  which  provide  the  best  safety  and environmental performances. Furthermore, the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL) with registrations of all tires available in the EU will contribute to improving the information flow between tire manufacturers and authorities, and ultimately enhance market surveillance.

  4. When is the new EU tire label coming into effect?

    The new tire label regulation will apply from May 1, 2021. Until then, the current tire label remains in use.

  5. Do all tires fall under the scope of the new tire label regulation?

    The new tire label regulation applies only to new passenger car tires  (C1  tires), light commercial vehicle tires (C2 tires) and heavy vehicle tires (C3 tires).

  6. Which tires are excluded from the new tire label regulation?

    The new tire label regulation applies only to new passenger car tires  (C1  tires), light commercial vehicle tires (C2 tires) and heavy vehicle tires (C3 tires). The following categories are currently excluded from the scope of the new  regulation: retreadedtires, off-roadtires, racingtires, studdedtires, temporary use sparetires, tires designed to be fitted on vehicles registered for the first time before 1 October 1990, tires whose speed rating is less than 80 km/h, tires whose nominal rim diameter does not exceed 254 mm or is 635 mm or more.

  7. What is changing in the EU tire label?

    • The new regulation will apply also to truck tires, so it will comprise tire classes C1 (passenger car tires), C2 (light commercial vehicle tires) and C3 (heavy commercial vehicle tires).
    • Under the new regulation, in addition to the standard label (rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise), there are also options for including an icon indicating if a tire is suitable forsevere snow conditionsand another new icon for grip onice. Tires suitable for severe snow conditions bear  the  three-peak  mountain  snowflake  symbol  (3PMSF)  that  is  present  on  the  sidewall  of  such tires. The C1 (passenger car) tires fulfilling the requirements of the upcoming ISO standard for ice performance will feature a new symbol that represents an ice stalagmite.
    • A minor change has been implemented regarding the label classes for rolling resistance and wet grip: current empty or unoccupied classes for C1 and C2 tires have been filled and redundant label classes (which are no longer permitted according to limit values) have been deleted to form a new scale which has only 5 classes (A to E).
    • In  the bottom  part, thenoise class (A, B or C)will be always indicated in addition to the value of external noise level in decibels.
    • Under the new regulation, tire labels need to  also include the name of  the tire manufacturer, as well as a unique identifier, the tire type identifier.
    • Finally,  the  tire  label  will  have  to  include  the QR  code,  which  is  intended  to  link  directly  to  the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL).

  8. Do tire dealers need to relabel tires on stock that were placed on the market before May 1, 2021?

    All C1, C2 and C3 tires produced from the 1stof May 2021 and necessarily placed on the market after this date must bear the new label. However, there is no obligation for dealers to relabel tires that are on stock after the 1stof May if these tires were placed on the market before that date, so before the new tire label regulation came into effect. In other words, tires placed on the market prior to the 1stof May can remain with the old label until they are sold. Therefore, both the old and the new label may be found on tires at sales points even after the 1stof May 2021, depending on the date of placing these tires on the market.

  9. What are the obligations of tire manufactures in relation to the new tire label regulation?

    Tire manufactures have the choice of either putting a sticker on the tire tread or including a printed label with each delivery of batch of identical tires to the dealer. Goodyear will ensure that all tires delivered to tire dealers will bear stickers with the label. For all tires, the label information must also be included on the manufacturer’s web pages, brochures and technical promotional documentation given to the buyer.Tire  manufacturers  must  also  enter  the  information  required  by  the  new  tire  label  regulation  into  the product database (EPREL) before placing a tire on the market from the 1stof May 2021.

  10. What is EPREL?

    EPREL  is  the  European  Product  Database  for  Energy  Labelling  which  was  set  up  to  provide  important energy efficiency information to consumers. Its purpose is to enhance market surveillance activities and enforcement  in  the  EU.  It  is  a  legal  requirement  for  suppliers  (manufacturers,  importers  or  authorized representatives) of products covered by the EU Energy Labelling Regulations (e.g. household appliances) to upload information about their products into the database before placing these products on the market in  the  EU.  According  to  the  new  tire  label  regulation,  tire  manufacturers  will  also  need  to  enter  the information into the product database before placing a tire on the EU market from the 1stof May 2021.

  11. Does the tire label provide exhaustive information on tire performance?

    The label provides basic information on threeessential aspects of a tire’s performance (fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise) to help consumers make an informed choice. However, the label does not cover all parameters related to the overall performance of a tire. By comparison, independent surveys carried  out  by  automotive  magazines  cover  on  average fifteenaspects  of  tire  performance,  while Goodyear  analyses  over fiftycriteria,  including  aquaplaning  resistance,  dry  handling,  dry  braking,  high speed stability, milage and many more. Therefore, the label cannot replace quality testing byspecialized laboratories or information provided by manufacturers and others, which use a wider range of criteria to assess tire performance.