EU Tire Label and Efficiency Classes?
The European Union has introduced the EU Tire Label by Regulation (No. 1222/2009) identically and bindingly for all EU member states. It applies to passenger car tires, light commercial vehicle tires and heavy commercial vehicle tires produced after 01.07.2012.
Three different areas are tested: rolling resistance, wet grip and the rolling noise the tire makes on the road.
The following are not affected by the EU Tire Label: retreaded tires, professional off-road tires, racing tires, tires with additional devices to improve traction such as spiked tires, T-type emergency tires, special tires for fitting to vehicles first registered before 1 October 1990, tires with a maximum authorised speed of 80 km/h, tires for rims with a nominal diameter of 254 mm or less or 635 mm or more.
With this regulation, the European Union is pursuing the goal of promoting economic and ecological efficiency in road traffic as well as increasing road safety on the one hand, and on the other hand, granting consumers more product transparency and at the same time serving as an active decision-making aid.
Already during the incorporation, experts criticise the fact that the EU Tire Label unfortunately only shows a few product characteristics. Apart from rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling noise, which are the main focus of EU tire labelling, tires have much more important and safety-relevant product characteristics, such as aquaplaning properties, driving stability, service life, braking properties on dry and wet roads, behaviour in wintry conditions, etc.
Tire manufacturers point out that test results from various institutions and journals remain an important information medium for the end consumer. These tests usually focus on further safety-relevant product characteristics besides the EU standard qualifications for tire labelling, which are always important for the final customer.