EN    EN EN  
EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 13.11.2008 
COM(2008) 779 final 
2008/0221 (COD)   
Proposal for a 
DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PA RLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL  
on labelling of tyres with respect to fuel  efficiency and other essential parameters 
(presented by the Commission) 
  
{SEC(2008) 2860} {SEC(2008) 2861}  
EN 2   EN EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM  
1. C ONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL  
110 • Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 
With as much as 23% of total CO 2 emissions coming from road transport1, reducing 
vehicles’ energy intensity and emissions  is a major challenge for the EU. 
The Energy Efficiency Action Plan2 and the Communication on Greening Transport3 
announced a proposal regarding the energy la belling of tyres by 2008. The objective is 
to promote the market transformation towa rds fuel-efficient tyres, also called low-
rolling-resistance tyres (LRRTs). 
The labelling proposal follows an integrated approach on tyres which will ensure that 
standardised information is supplied not only on fuel efficiency but also on wet grip 
and external rolling noise, so that consum ers and end-users can make an informed 
choice. The aim is to promote, through the operation of market forces, dynamic 
improvement of all parameters beyond the minimum requirements set for type approval (the procedure which grants access to the EU market). 
120 • General context  
Tyres can play a significant part in reduci ng transport energy intensity and emissions 
since they account for 20% to 30% of vehi cles’ total fuel consumption. This proportion 
of fuel is used to overcome rolling resistance (RR) due mainly to “hysteretic loss” (loss 
of energy through the heating and deformation of the wheels while rolling). New technologies make it possible to  reduce RR, so that it currently varies by up to 100% 
across all tyre categories. For passenger cars, for instance, this means a difference of up 
to 10% in fuel consumption between the wo rst- and the best-performing tyre set. 
Studies show that fuel efficient tyres are co st-effective: the price differential of better-
performing tyres will be compensated by savings  over their lifetime. There is therefore 
a direct interest for tyre purchasers to reduce their fuel bill and for society as a whole to 
reduce emissions due to road transport. The impact at EU level could be impressive; 
the external study conducted within the impact assessment identified a savings 
potential of from 0.56 to 1.51 Mtoe per year depending on the speed of market 
transformation. This is equi valent to removing 0.5 million to 1.3 million passenger cars 
from EU roads (or 3% to 8% of  new passenger cars registered). 
Improvements in RR have been and will be further driven on the original equipment 
market
4 by car producers who have an incentive to fit their vehicles with fuel efficient 
                                                 
1 European Environment Agency, Annual European Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2005 
and Inventory Report 2007, p. 88. 
2 COM(2006) 545. 
3 COM(2008) 433. 
4 Tyres fitted on new vehicles, which constitute 22% of market share.  
EN 3   EN tyres in order to reduce vehicle emissions measured in compliance with type-approval 
legislation. The Regulation on the ge neral safety of motor vehicles5 will in addition ban 
the worst-performing tyres in terms of fu el efficiency through implementation of 
minimum requirements governing RR. The ma rket transformation achieved through 
these two drivers will not, however, achieve its optimum level because of the lack of 
information available to end-users, in particular for the replacement market. 
On the replacement market, which accounts for 78% of market share6, consumers and 
companies have no access to objective data on tyre roll ing resistance, and cannot 
compare increased purchasing costs with fuel savings. Market surveys have also shown that consumers would be interest ed in buying fuel-efficient tyres. 
In addition, tyre performances are interrelated, so that acti ng on one parameter, such as 
energy efficiency, may have an adverse imp act on other parameters, such as wet grip, 
whereas optimising wet grip may have an a dverse impact on extern al rolling noise. 
Potential has been identified for improving tyre wet-grip performance characteristics 
and external rolling noise above the minimu m requirements set in the type-approval 
legislation
7. It is therefore in society’s interest  to promote optimisation of these two 
parameters along with rolling resistance. 
A labelling scheme for tyres at EU level aims to respond to the suboptimal market-
transformation towards fuel efficient tyres ar ising from lack of information. It would 
allow consumers to make an informed choice, give incentives to tyre manufacturers to upgrade their products and cont ribute to awareness-raising. 
130 • Existing provisions in the area of the proposal  
The proposal on tyre labelling is part of an integrated approach to reduce fuel 
consumption and emissions in road transpor t. Directed at the demand side, it will 
complement the type-approval legislation on tyres which addresses the supply side by 
means of minimum requirements. The minimum requirements governing rolling 
resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise  scheduled to take e ffect by October 2012 
in the proposal for a Regulation on the genera l safety of motor vehicles will guarantee 
a standard level of tyre quali ty, while further improvements above these levels will be 
driven by the labelling scheme. In a context of increased competition on the tyre market, it will introduce a level playing field for all; with the possibility for producers to benefit from product differentiation so th at competition will not only be based on 
prices but also on product quality. It is also likely to decrease the entry barriers for new 
entrants based on reputation. The industry will , for its part, receive more return on its 
R&D investment since consumers and end-us ers will have access to objective, reliable 
and comparable information on tyre parameters. 
Harmonised and accurate testin g methods will be instrument al in providing comparable 
information on tyre parameters. In order to reduce the administrative burden on producers and the costs of test ing, the same testing methods should be applied as those 
defined in the type-approval legislation on tyres. 
                                                                                                                                                         
5 Proposal COM(2008) 316 under adoption, OJ C , , p. . 
6 Tyres fitted on vehicles once the original ones are wo rn out, usually after 40 000 km for passenger cars. 
7 COM(2008) 316, see footnote 5.  
EN 4   EN 140 • Consistency with the other policies and objectives of the Union  
Increased market take-up of fuel-efficien t tyres through introduction of an energy 
labelling scheme will contribute to achiev ing the 20% energy saving potential by 2020 
identified in the Energy Efficiency Action Plan8 – subsequently endorsed by the 
Energy Council, the European Counc il and the European Parliament9. 
The proposal is in line with the revised Commission strategy on CO 2 from passenger 
cars and light commercial vehicles10 and the input from the CARS 21 high-level 
group11. This strategy is based on an integr ated approach for achieving the 120g/km 
CO 2 target by 2012, with 130g/km achieved th rough a legislative instrument on car 
emissions as measured at type approval12 and a further 10g/km or  equivalent achieved 
through a closed list of additional measures , including the promotion of fuel efficient 
tyres. Synergies with the revised car labelling proposal13 will also increase recognition 
of the labelling scheme for tyres. 
Promotion of the market transformation towa rds fuel efficient tyres complies with the 
Lisbon and renewed Sustainable Development Strategy as it will encourage investment 
in R&D, provide for a level playing field fo r all and reduce the car bon footprint of road 
transport, thereby contributing to the po licy goal concerning sustainable mobility. 
One of the key objectives defined in the Community Lisbon Programme for 2008-
201014 is promotion of an “industrial policy geared towards more sustainable 
consumption and production”, as further elaborated on in the Action Plan on 
Sustainable Consumption and Producti on and Sustainable Industrial Policy15. 
Tyre labelling will also play an important  part in the objective of “empowering 
consumers” as formulated in the EU Consumer Policy Strategy 2007-201316 since it 
will enable consumers to make an inform ed choice when buying replacement tyres. 
2. C ONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT  
 • Consultation of interested parties  
211 Consultation methods, main sectors targ eted and general pr ofile of respondents  
Stakeholders’ opinions were c onsistently gathered  throughout the process by means of 
bilateral meetings and various consultations with Member State representatives, NGOs, 
                                                 
8 COM(2006) 545. 
9 TTE, (Energy) Council of 23 Nove mber 2006, 15210/06; Brussels European Council 8/9 March 2007, 
Presidency Conclusions, 7224/07; European Parliament Resolution of 24 October 2007 on the 
Community Strategy to reduce C0 2 emissions from passenger cars and light commercial vehicles 
(2007/2119 (INI)), point 32. 
10 COM(2007) 19. 
11 COM(2007) 22. 
12 COM(2007) 856. 
13 Recast of Directive 1999/94/EC. 
14 COM(2007) 804. 
15 COM(2008) 397/3. 
16 COM(2007) 99.  
EN 5   EN consumer and business organisations, the tyre industry, fleet managers, tyre dealers and 
car producers. 
- First reactions were ga thered during DG ENTR’s public consultation on the 
Advanced Safety of Motor Vehicles c onducted from August to October 2007, which 
included a proposal for a grading of tyre fu el efficiency. This provision was finally 
withdrawn from ENTR’s proposal so as to allow for a more in-d epth analysis, but 
feedback from this consultati on has been taken into account. 
- An expert group meeting with representa tives of the tyre industry took place on 
21 April 2008 in order to clarify technical issues. 
- A stakeholder workshop was held on 26 May 2008. The working document 
containing questions regarding various policy choices to be addressed at the workshop, 
stakeholders’ replies and the workshop minut es were published on the Europa website. 
212 Summary of responses and how th ey have been taken into account  
Stakeholder consultation was instrumental in defining policy options and the possible 
design of a labelling scheme. All responde nts throughout the consultation process in 
general supported the introduction of a labelli ng scheme, but with reservations on some 
technical issues: 
- The first public consultation by ENTR hi ghlighted the need of avoiding downgrading 
tyre safety performance characteristics wh en designing a labelling scheme to support 
fuel-efficient tyres. The tyre industry deve loped the concept of a “Tyre Performance 
Integrated Approach” calling for simultaneous consideration of all relevant parameters. 
This concern was taken into account in th e design of the labelling scheme, which 
provides for a multi-criteria grading scheme. 
- The request was put forward for more ambiti ous fuel efficiency classes, and for the 
same design to be followed as for household appliances (the “A to G” scale)17. 
Extensive research was conducted as a follo w-up under the external study in order to 
precisely identify the state of the art, the technological potential for further 
improvements of tyre fuel efficiency and th e related production cost s. The results were 
taken into account in drafting th e fuel efficiency classes so as to allow for band A to be 
demanding enough to drive the market towards fu el-efficient tyres but ensure that they 
remain cost-effective for end-users, in othe r words that fuel savings will compensate 
for increased purchasing costs. 
- Some stakeholders requested the inclusion of external rolling noise in the labelling 
scheme. External rolling noise, which was not  originally included within the scope of 
the impact assessment, was consequently addressed. 
- Finally, there was extensive debate as to the relevance of incl uding C2 and C3 tyres 
(tyres fitted on light- and heavy-duty vehicles) in the labelling scheme. The road transport companies, including their federati on, the International Ro ad Transport Union 
(IRU), called for these tyre classes to be in cluded in the labelling scheme. Since the 
impact assessment showed a significant fuel  saving potential on these markets, it was 
                                                 
17 Directive 1992/75/EC.  
EN 6   EN decided to include them in the scope of the legislative proposal. 
 
213 An open consultation was conducted ove r the Internet from 28.04.2008 to 30.05.2008. 
The Commission received 14 respons es. The results are available on 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand /legislation/under_discussion_en.htm . 
 • Collection and use of expertise 
221 Scientific/expertise domains concerned  
An external study was contracted with th e European Policy Evaluation Consortium 
from December 2007 to July 2008 to provi de input into the impact assessment. 
222 Methodology used  
The study looked at the technical background  supporting the design of a labelling 
scheme, including trade-off between tyre para meters, market structure and cost/benefit 
analysis. 
The specific design of the fuel efficiency and wet grip classes is based inter alia on the 
following factors: (1) the state of the art, (2) pro duction costs to achieve a certain level 
of RR or wet grip which compared to rela ted fuel savings or safety gains will 
determine the (3) cost-effective levels towards which the market can be rationally expected to be driven, (4) the accuracy of testing methods which may influence the 
width of the bands. 
223 Main organisations/experts consulted  
Member State representatives, NGOs, consum er and business organisations, the tyre 
industry, tyre dealers and car  producers were consulted. 
2249 Summary of advice received and used  
The existence of potentially serious risks with irreversible consequences was not 
mentioned. 
225 The technical input and cost/benefit analysis were included in the impact assessment. 
226 Means used to make the exper t advice publicly available  
The external study can be downloaded at 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand /legislation/under_discussion_en.htm . 
230 • Impact assessment  
The impact assessment considered the following policy options for promoting market 
transformation towards more fuel-efficient tyres. 
– Option 1: No EU action. This constitute s the baseline scenario, including the 
adoption of minimum requirements governi ng rolling resistance (RR) as proposed  
EN 7   EN in the Regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles and existing incentives for 
car producers to fit their vehi cles with fuel efficient ty res in order to reduce type-
approved emissions measurement levels. 
– Option 2: Single-criterion la belling scheme for passeng er car tyres (C1 tyres) 
regarding fuel efficiency (RR), with minimum requirements on other parameters 
(wet grip and extern al rolling noise).  
– Option 3: Dual-labelling scheme for C1 tyre s regarding fuel efficiency and wet grip, 
with minimum requirements on external rolling noise. 
– Option 4: Multi-criteria labelling scheme fo r C1 tyres regarding fuel efficiency and 
wet grip extended to external rolling noise. 
– Option 5: Extension of the labelling scheme  developed for C1 tyres (Option 2, 3 or 
4) to C2 and C3 tyres. 
– Option 6: Economic instrument s and public procurement. 
Comparison of the policy options shows that  a multi-criteria grading scheme on C1 
tyres (Option 4) brings the most benefits wh en it is also extended to C2 and C3 tyres 
(Option 5). The slower market take-up of fuel-efficient tyres compared to Option 2 
(single-criterion labelling sc heme) would be compensated by safety gains, while the 
extension of the labelling scheme to C2 and C3 tyres would greatly increase total fuel 
savings. 
231 The Commission carried out an impact assessment listed in the Work Programme, whose report is accessible on: 
http://ec.europa.eu/governa nce/impact/cia_2008_en.htm   
3. L EGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL  
305 • Summary of the proposed action  
The proposal concerns creating a labelling sc heme for tyre parameters including fuel 
efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noi se, addressing C1, C2 and C3 tyres (tyres 
fitted on passenger cars, light- and heavy-duty vehicles). It will provide harmonised and easy-to-understand information to cons umers, companies and retailers by grading 
tyre performance characteristic s. It will guarant ee that the information is made 
available to end-users via different media (e.g. electroni c, catalogues, stickers). 
310 • Legal basis  
The legal basis for the proposal is Article 95 of the Treaty. 
320 • Subsidiarity principle  
The subsidiarity principle applies inso far as the proposal does not fall under the 
exclusive competence of the Community. 
 The objectives of the proposal cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States  
EN 8   EN for the following reasons. 
321 As highlighted in connection with implem entation of the Car Labelling Directive18, the 
existence of 27 different labelling scheme s places a major burden on producers which 
have to grade their products differently depending on in whic h countries they sell their 
products, and is not efficient in promoti ng market transformation. The discrepancies 
that exist between produc t grading contribute to confusion among consumers and 
undermine their ability to make an informed choice. In addition, Member States, consumer organisations and the tyre indu stry have expressed their support for a 
harmonised labelling scheme. 
 Community action will better achieve the obj ectives of the proposal for the following 
reasons. 
324 A harmonised labelling scheme will reduce the administrative burden on Member States and the tyre industry. It will avoi d fragmentation of the internal market and 
provide a level playing field for all. 
327 The scope of the proposal is limited to  harmonisation of product information; 
implementation and market surveillance will fall under Member Stat es’ responsibility. 
 The proposal therefore complies wi th the subsidiarity principle. 
 • Proportionality principle  
The proposal complies with the proportiona lity principle for the following reasons. 
331 The proposal does not go beyond what is necess ary in order to achie ve the objectives 
of the legislative proposal. The same test s procedure are foreseen as in the type 
approval procedure in order to decrease cost s lying on tyre producer s. Self declaration 
should also decrease costs of testing whic h were estimated around 0.03 euro per tyre in 
the worst case.  
It is also proposed to develop a sticker di splaying the label in a format understandable 
without translation. In order to minimise logistics costs, pictograms will ensure the 
labelling scheme is understood without requiring the industry or tyre dealers to attach a 
dedicated sticker in all EU official la nguages. Complementary information in the 
relevant language will be pr ovided on-line (web) to explain the label. Easy recognition 
of the label’s message by consumers will also be facilitated by making use of a layout for the label similar to th e one used for white goods under the Energy Labelling 
Directive for household appliances. 
332 Labelling tyres should not lead to increased  tyre prices. Low-budget tyres will still be 
provided for sale on the marke t; the only change is that objective information on tyre 
quality will be provided to consumers so that competition does not operate on prices alone but on actual performance. 
 • Choice of instruments  
                                                 
18 Directive 1999/94/EC.  
EN 9   EN 341 Proposed instruments: Directive. 
342 Other means would not be adequate for the following reasons. 
Market surveillance and compliance with the Directive will be crucial to ensure the 
scheme’s success. Member States should therefore develop their own monitoring 
procedures. Awareness-raising campaigns explaining the labelling scheme will be better addressed to end-users a nd consumers if they are drafte d at national level. It is 
therefore proposed to adopt a Directive for transposition into Member States’ 
legislation. 
The proposal uses the “split -level approach” whereby th e Directive’s fundamental 
provisions will be adopted under co-decision,  while the technical specifications and 
adaptation to technical progres s will be adopted under comitology, in accordance with 
the regulatory procedure with scrutiny pr ovided for in Article 5a of Decision 
1999/468/EC. 
4. B UDGETARY IMPLICATION  
409 The proposal has no implication for the Community budget. 
5. A DDITIONAL INFORMATION  
560 • European Economic Area  
The proposed act concerns an EEA matter a nd should therefore exte nd to the European 
Economic Area. 
E-14824  
  
EN 10   EN 2008/0221 (COD) 
Proposal for a 
DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PA RLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL  
on labelling of tyres with respect to fuel  efficiency and other essential parameters 
  
Text with EEA-relevance 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE CO UNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty esta blishing the European Communit y, and in particular Article 
95 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission
19, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Eu ropean Economic and Social Committee20, 
Having regard to the opinion of  the Committee of the Regions21, 
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty22, 
Whereas: (1) Sustainable mobility is a major challenge facing the Community in the light of climate 
change and the need to support Europ ean competitiveness as stressed in the 
Commission Communication on Greening Transport
23.  
(2) The Communication of the Commission "Ac tion Plan on Energy Efficiency- Realising 
the potential"24 highlighted the potential to re duce total energy consumption by 20% 
by 2020 by means of a list of targeted actions including labelling of tyres. 
(3) Tyres, mainly because of their rolling resistance, account for 20% to 30% of the fuel 
consumption of vehicles. A reduction of the rolling resistance of tyres may therefore contribute significantly to the energy efficiency of road transport and thus to the 
reduction of emissions.  
(4) Tyres are characterised by a number of pa rameters which are interrelated. Improving 
one parameter such as rolling resistance may have an adverse impact on other 
                                                
 
19 OJ C , , p. . 
20 OJ C , , p. . 
21 OJ C , , p. . 
22 OJ C , , p. . 
23 COM(2008) 433 
24 (COM(2006)545).   
EN 11   EN parameters such as wet grip, while improving wet grip may have an adverse impact on 
external rolling noise. Tyre  manufacturers should be encouraged to optimise all 
parameters.  
(5) Fuel-efficient tyres are cost-effective as fuel savings over-compensate for the 
increased purchasing price of tyres stemming from higher production costs. 
(6) [Regulation (EC) No …/… concerning ty pe-approval requirements for the general 
safety of motor vehicles]25 sets out minimum requirements on rolling resistance of 
tyres. Technological developments make it possible to significan tly decrease energy 
losses due to tyre rolling resistance be yond those minimum requirements. To reduce 
the environmental impact of road transport, it is therefore appropriate to lay down provisions to encourage end-users to purchas e more fuel efficien t tyres by providing 
them harmonised information about this parameter.  
(7) Traffic noise is a significant nuisance and has a harmful effect on health. [Regulation 
(EC) No …/… concerning type-approval requi rements for the general safety of motor 
vehicles] sets out minimum requirements  on external rolling noise of tyres. 
Technological developments make it possible to significantly redu ce external rolling 
noise beyond those minimum requirements. To  reduce traffic noise it is therefore 
appropriate to lay down provisi ons to encourage end-users to purchase tyres with low 
external rolling noise by pr oviding them harmonised information about this parameter. 
(8) The provision of harmonised information on tyre external rolling noise would also 
facilitate the implementation of measures  against traffic noise  and contribute to 
increased awareness of the effect of tyres on traffic noise with in the framework of 
Directive 2002/49/EC of the Eu ropean Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 
relating to the assessment and ma nagement of environmental noise
26.  
(9) [Regulation (EC) No …/… concerning ty pe-approval requirements for the general 
safety of motor vehicles] sets out minimu m requirements on wet grip performance of 
tyres. Technological development make it pos sible to significantly improve wet grip 
beyond those minimum requirements, and thus  to reduce wet breaking distances. To 
improve road safety it is therefore appropr iate to lay down provisions to encourage 
end-users to purchase tyres with high we t grip performance by providing them 
harmonised information about this parameter. 
(10) Other tyre parameters, su ch as aquaplaning or handling in curves, also affect road 
safety. However, at this stage, harmonise d testing methods are not yet available in 
respect of such parameters. Therefore, it is appropriate to provide for the possibility, at 
a later stage and if necessary, of laying dow n provisions on harmonised information to 
end-users about such tyre parameters.  
(11) The provision of information on tyre parame ters in the form of a standard label is 
likely to influence purchasing decisions by en d-users in favour of safer, quieter and 
more fuel efficient tyres. This in turn is likely to encourage tyre manufacturers to optimise those tyre parameters, which w ould pave the way for more sustainable 
consumption and production. 
                                                
 
25 Proposal COM(2008) 316 under adoption,  OJ C , , p. . 
26 OJ L 189, 18.7.2002, p. 12.  
EN 12   EN (12) Multiplicity of rules concerning labelling of tyres across Member States would create 
barriers to intra-Community trade and increas e the administrative burden and testing 
costs for tyre manufacturers. 
(13) Replacement tyres account for 78% of the tyre market. It is th erefore justified to 
inform the end-user about the parameters of  replacement tyres as well as tyres fitted on 
new vehicles.  
(14) The need for greater information on tyre fuel efficiency and other parameters is 
relevant for consumers, including fleet mana gers and transport companies, who cannot 
easily compare the parameters of different tyre  brands in the absen ce of a labelling and 
harmonised testing regime. It is therefore a ppropriate to include C1, C2 and C3 tyres 
in the scope of the directive.  
(15) The energy label which ranks products on a scale from “A to G”, as applied to 
household appliances pursuant to Directiv e 1992/75/EC on the indication by labelling 
and standard product information of the c onsumption of energy and other resources by 
household appliances27, is well known by consumers and has proven to be successful 
in promoting more efficient appliances. The same design should be used for the 
labelling of tyre fuel efficiency.  
(16) The display of a label on tyres at the point of sale, as well as in technical promotional 
literature, should ensure that distributor s as well as potential end-users receive 
harmonised information on tyre fuel effici ency, wet grip perfor mance and external 
rolling noise. 
(17) Some end-users choose tyres before arrivi ng at the point of sale or purchase tyres by 
mail order. To ensure that those end-users can also make an informed choice on the 
basis of harmonised information on tyre fuel efficiency, wet grip performance and external rolling noise, labels should be  displayed in all technical promotional 
literature, including where such literature  is made available on the Internet.  
(18) Information should be provided in acco rdance with the harmonised testing methods 
laid down in [Regulation (EC) No …/… concerning type-approval requirements for 
the general safety of motor vehicles] to en able end-users to compare different tyres 
and to limit testing costs for manufacturers.  
(19) Where Member States put in place incentiv es in favour of fuel-e fficient tyres, it is 
appropriate that minimum fuel efficiency classes be determined in order to avoid 
fragmentation of the internal market. Such incentives might constitute State aid. This Directive is without prejudice  to the outcome of any futu re State aid procedure that 
may be undertaken in accordance with Ar ticles 87 and 88 of the Treaty in their 
respect. 
(20) Compliance with provisions on labelling by manufacturers, suppliers and distributors 
is essential to achieve the aims of those provisions. Member States should therefore 
monitor such compliance through market surv eillance and regular ex-post controls.  
                                                
 
27 OJ L 297, 13.10.1992, p. 16.  
EN 13   EN (21) The measures necessary to implement this  Directive should be adopted in accordance 
with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 J une 1999 laying down the procedures for 
the exercise of implementing pow ers conferred on the Commission28. 
(22) In particular, power should be confe rred on the Commission to introduce requirements 
with respect to wet grip grad ing of C2 and C3 tyre cla sses, to introduce requirements 
with respect to essential tyre parameters other than fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise and to adapt the A nnexes to technical progress. Since those 
measures are of general scope and are de signed to amend non-esse ntial elements of 
this Directive by supplementing it, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provi ded for in Article 5a of Decision 
1999/468/EC, 
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
Aim and subject matter 
The aim of this Directive is to increase the fuel-efficiency of road transport by promoting 
fuel-efficient tyres. 
This Directive establishes a framework for the provision of information on tyre parameters 
through labelling.  
Article 2 
Scope 
1. This Directive shall apply to C1, C2 and C3 tyres.  
2. By derogation from paragraph 1, th is Directive shall not apply to:  
(a) re-treaded tyres;  (b) off-road professional tyres; (c) tyres designed to be fitted only to vehi cles registered for the first time before 1. 
October 1990;  
(d) T-type temporary-use spare tyres; (e) tyres whose speed rati ng is less than 80 km/h; 
(f) tyres whose nominal rim diameter does not exceed 254 mm or is 635 mm or 
more;  
(g) tyres fitted with additional devices to  improve traction properties, such as 
studded tyres. 
                                                
 
28 OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.  
EN 14   EN Article 3 
Definitions 
For the purpose of this Directive:  
(1) ‘C1, C2 and C3 tyres’ means the tyre clas ses defined in Article 8 of [Regulation (EC) 
No …/… concerning type-approval requireme nts for the general safety of motor 
vehicles]29; 
(2) ‘T-type temporary-use spare tyre’ means a temporary-use spare tyre designed for use 
at inflation pressures higher than those es tablished for standard and reinforced tyres;  
(3) ‘point of sale’ means a location where tyre s are displayed, stored or offered for sale, 
including car show rooms as regards displayed tyres which are not fitted on the vehicles;  
(4) ‘technical promotional literature’ means a ll printed and electronic material used in 
the marketing of tyres or vehicles aimed at  end-users or distributors which describes 
the specific parameters of a tyre, incl uding technical manuals, brochures, Internet 
marketing, leaflets and catalogues; 
(5) ‘technical documentation’ means inform ation relating to ty res, including the 
manufacturer and brand of the tyre; descri ption of the tyre type or the grouping of 
tyres determined for the declaration of the fuel efficiency class, wet grip class and 
external rolling noise measured value;  test reports and testing accuracy.  
(6) ‘manufacturer’ means any natural or legal person who manufactures  a product, or has 
a product designed or manuf actured and markets that product under his name or 
trademark; 
(7) ‘importer’ means any natural or legal pe rson established within the Community who 
places a product from a third c ountry on the Community market; 
(8) ‘supplier’ means the manufacturer or its authorised representa tive in the Community 
or the importer;  
(9) ‘distributor’ means any natural or legal person in the supply chain, other than the 
supplier or the importer, who makes a tyre available on the market;  
(10) ‘making available on the market’ means any supply of a product for distribution or 
use on the Community market in the course of a commercial activity, whether in 
return for payment or free of charge;  
(11) ‘end-user’ means a consumer, including a fleet manager or road transport company 
that is buying or expected to buy a tyre;  
                                                
 
29 [NB: The current tyre classification of the proposal for a Regulation (COM(2008)316) has omitted light 
duty vehicles (N1). There is an agr eement at Council level to revise th e definition proposed in Article 8 
of COM(2008) 316 to include N1 tyres, the agreement will be reached in October at the latest before the 
adoption of this proposal for a Directive on tyre labelling- this is for information during the legislative 
procedure and must be deleted at the time of adoption].   
EN 15   EN (12) ‘essential parameter’ means a tyre parameter such as rolling resistance, wet grip or 
external rolling noise that has a notable impact on the environment, road safety or 
health during use. 
Article 4 
Responsibilities of tyre suppliers 
Member States shall ensure that tyre supp liers comply with th e following provisions: 
(1) suppliers shall ensure that C1 and C2 ty res, which are delivere d to distributors or 
end-users, are equipped with a sticker on th e tyre tread displaying a label indicating 
the fuel efficiency class as set out in Anne x I, Part A and the external rolling noise 
measured value as set out in Annex I, Part C; C1 tyre labels shall also indicate the 
wet grip class as set out in Annex I, Part B;  
(2) the format of the sticker referred to in pa ragraph 1 shall be as pr escribed in Annex II; 
(3) suppliers shall state the fuel efficiency cl ass, wet grip class and the external rolling 
noise measured value on techni cal promotional literature as  set out in Annex I in the 
order specified in Annex III;  
(4) suppliers shall make techni cal documentation available to  the authorities of Member 
States on request, for a period en ding five years after the last tyre of a given tyre type 
has been made available on the marke t; the technical documentation shall be 
sufficiently detailed as to allow the author ities to verify the accuracy of information 
provided on the label on fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise. 
Article 5 
Responsibilities of tyre distributors 
Member States shall ensure that tyre dist ributors comply with the following provisions:  
(1) distributors shall ensure that tyres, at th e point of sale, bear the sticker provided by 
suppliers in accordance with Article 4( 1) in a clearly visible position;  
(2) where tyres offered for sale are not visibl e to the end-user, dist ributors shall provide 
end-user with information on the fuel effici ency class, wet grip class and external 
rolling noise measured value of those tyres;  
(3) for C1 and C2 tyres, distributors shall pr ovide the fuel efficiency class and external 
rolling noise measured value with the bi lls delivered to end-users when they 
purchase tyres.  For C1 tyres, the wet grip class shall also be provided.  
Article 6 
Responsibilities of car suppliers and car distributors 
Member States shall ensure that  car suppliers and car distributors comply with the following 
provisions:  
EN 16   EN (1) car suppliers and car distri butors shall ensure that technical promotional literature 
provides information on tyres which are fitted on new vehicles; that information shall 
include the fuel efficiency class as set out in Annex I, Part A, the external rolling noise measured value as set out in Annex I,  Part C and, for C1 tyres, the wet grip 
class as set out in Annex I, Part B; 
(2) where different tyre types may be fitted  on a new vehicle, without end-users being 
offered a choice between them, the lowest fu el efficiency class, wet grip class and 
the highest external rolling noise measured value of these tyre types shall be 
mentioned in the technical promotional litera ture in the order specified in Annex III; 
(3) where end-users are offered a choice betw een different tyre types to be fitted on a 
new vehicle, car suppliers sh all state the fuel efficiency  class, wet grip class and 
external rolling noise measured value of thes e tyre types in the technical promotional 
literature in the order specified in Annex III; 
(4) where end-users are offered a choice betw een different tyre types to be fitted on a 
new vehicle, car distributors  shall provide information on the fuel efficiency class, 
wet grip class and external rolling noise measured value of these tyre types before sale. 
Article 7 
Harmonised testing methods  
The information to be provided under Articles 4, 5 and 6 on the fuel efficiency class, the 
external rolling noise measured value, and th e wet grip class of ty res shall be obtained by 
applying the harmonised testing methods referred to in Annex 1. 
Article 8  
Verification procedure   
Member States shall assess the conformity of the declared fuel efficiency and wet grip classes, 
within the meaning of Annex I Parts A and B,  and the declared ex ternal rolling noise 
measured value within the meaning of Annex I Part C, in accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Annex IV. 
Article 9 
Internal market 
1. Where the provisions of this Directive ar e satisfied, Member States shall neither 
prohibit nor restrict the making availabl e of tyres on the market on grounds of 
product information covered by this Directive.  
2. Unless they have evidence to the contrary, Member States shall consider that labels 
and product information comply with the pr ovisions of this Di rective. They may 
require suppliers to provide technical docum entation in order to assess the accuracy 
of the declared values .  
EN 17   EN Article 10 
Incentives 
Member States shall not provide incentives with regard to tyres below the fuel efficiency level 
class C within the meaning of Annex I Part A.  
Article 11 
Amendments and adaptations to technical progress 
The following measures designed to amend non-essent ial elements of this Directive inter alia 
by supplementing it shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 13(2):  
(1) introduction of requirements with respect to wet grip grading of C2 and C3 tyres, 
provided that suitable harmonised testing methods are available; 
(2) introduction of requirements with respect to other essential parameters insofar as 
those parameters affect the environment, health or safety, pr ovided that suitable 
harmonised testing methods are available a nd provided that such requirements are 
cost-effective; 
(3) adaptation of Annexes I to  IV to technical progress. 
Article 12 
Penalties 
Member States shall lay down the rules on pena lties applicable to infringements of the 
national provisions adopted pursuant to this Dire ctive and shall take the measures necessary to 
ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be e ffective, proportionate 
and dissuasive. The Member States shall notif y those provisions to the Commission no later 
than eighteen months after the entry into for ce of this Directive a nd shall notif y it without 
delay of any subsequent amendmen t affecting those provisions.  
Article 13  
Committee  
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.  
2. Where reference is made to this paragra ph, Articles 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of 
Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having re gard to the provisions of Article 8 
thereof. 
Article 14 
Review 
Not later than 5 years after the date of applic ation of this Directive, the Commission shall 
assess the need to review the energy efficiency a nd wet grip classes as laid down in Annex I.   
EN 18   EN Article 15 
Transposition 
1. Member States shall adopt and publish by 1 November 2011 at the latest, the laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. 
They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions and a correlation table between thos e provisions and this Directive.  
They shall apply those provisions from 1 November 2012.  When Member States adopt those provisions,  they shall contain a reference to this 
Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.  
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions 
of national law which they adopt in th e field covered by this Directive.  
Article 16 
This Directive shall enter into force on the tw entieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of  the European Union . 
Article 17 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels,  
For the European Parliament For the Council 
The President The President    
EN 19   EN Annex I  
Grading of tyre parameters  
Part A: Fuel efficiency classes 
The fuel efficiency class must be determined on the basis of the rolli ng resistance coefficient 
(RRC ) according to the A to G scale specified below and measured in accordance with 
[UNECE Regulation…, OJ reference to be added before fin al adoption of the Directive by the 
legislature] . 
If a tyre type is approv ed for more than one tyre class (e.g. C1 and C2), the grading scale used 
to determine the fuel efficiency class of this tyre  type should be that whic h is applicable to the 
highest tyre class (e.g. C2, not C1).  
C1 tyres C2 tyres C3 tyres 
RRC  in kg/t Energy 
efficiency class RRC  in kg/t Energy 
efficiency class RRC  in kg/t Energy 
efficiency class 
RRC≤6.5 A RRC≤5.5 A RRC≤4.0 A 
6.6≤RRC≤7.7 B 5.6 ≤RRC≤6.7 B 4.1 ≤RRC≤5.0 B 
7.8≤RRC≤9.0 C 6.8 ≤RRC≤8.0 C 5.1 ≤RRC≤6.0 C 
Empty D Empty D 6.1 ≤RRC≤7.0 D 
9.1≤RRC≤10.5 E 8.1 ≤RRC≤9.2 E 7.1 ≤RRC≤8.0 E 
10.6≤RRC≤12.0 F 9.3 ≤RRC≤10.5 F RRC≥8.1 F 
RRC≥12.1 G RRC≥10.6 G Empty G  
EN 20   EN Part B: Wet Grip Classes  
The wet grip classes of C1 tyres must be de termined on the basis of the wet grip index ( G) 
according to the "A to G" scale specified be low and measured in accordance with UNECE 
Regulation 117 on uniform provisions  concerning the approval of ty res with regard to rolling 
sound emissions and to adhesion on wet surfaces30. 
G Wet grip classes 
155≤G A 
140≤G≤154 B 
125≤G≤139 C 
Empty D 
110≤G≤124 E 
G≤109  F 
Empty G 
Part C: External Rolling noise  
The external rolling noise measured value shall be declared in decibels and measured in 
accordance with UNECE Regulation 117 on uniform provisions concerning the approval of tyres with regard to rolling sound emissi ons and to adhesion on wet surfaces.  
                                                
 
30 OJ L 231, 29.08.2008, p. 19.   
EN 21   EN Annex II: Format of the label 
The sticker referred to in Articles  4(1) and 5(1) consists of two parts: (1) a label printed in the 
format described below and (2) a space where the name of the supplier a nd the tyre line, tyre 
dimension, load index, speed rating and othe r technical specification are displayed 
(hereinafter “brand space”). 
1. Label design 
1.1 The label printed on the sticker, referred to  in Articles 4(1) a nd 5(1), must be in 
accordance with the illustration below:  
  
EN 22   EN 1.2 The following provides specifications for the label: 
 
1.3 The label must be at least 75 mm wide and 110 mm high. Where th e label is printed 
in a larger format, its c ontent must nevertheless re main proportionate to the 
specifications above.  
1.4 The label must conform to the following requirements:  
a) Colours are CMYK – cyan, magenta, ye llow and black – and are given following 
this example: 00-70-X-00: 0 % cyan, 70 % magenta, 100 % yellow, 0 % black; 
b) The numbers listed below refer to the legends indicate d in section 1.2;  
 Fuel efficiency  
 Pictogram as supplied: width: 19.5 mm, height: 18.5 mm – Frame for 
pictogram stroke: 3.5 pt, width: 26 mm, height: 23 mm – Frame for grading: 
stroke: 1 pt – Frame end: stroke: 3.5 pt, width: 36 mm – Co lour: X-10-00-05;   
EN 23   EN 
 Wet grip  
 Pictogram as supplied: width: 19 mm,  height: 19 mm – Frame for pictogram: 
stroke: 3.5 pt, width: 26 mm,  height: 23 mm – Frame for grading: stroke: 1 pt – 
Frame end: stroke: 3.5 pt, widt h: 26 mm – Colour: X-10-00-05; 
 External rolling noise  
 Pictogram as supplied: width: 23 mm,  height: 15 mm – Frame for pictogram: 
stroke: 3.5 pt, width: 26 mm,  height: 24 mm – Frame for value: stroke: 1 pt – 
Frame end: stroke: 3.5 pt, heig ht: 24 mm – Colour: X-10-00-05; 
 Label border:  stroke:  1.5 pt – Colour: X-10-00-05;  
 A-G scale  
– Arrows:  height: 4.75 mm, gap: 0.75 mm, bl ack stroke: 0.5 pt – colours: 
y A: X-00-X-00; 
y B: 70-00-X-00; 
y C: 30-00-X-00; 
y D: 00-00-X-00; 
y E: 00-30-X-00; 
y F: 00-70-X-00; 
y G: 00-X-X-00. 
– Text:  Helvetica Bold 12 pt, 100% white, black outline: 0.5 pt;  
 Grading  
– Arrow:  width: 16 mm, height: 10 mm, 100% black;  
– Text:  Helvetica Bold 27 pt, 100% white; 
 Lines in scale:  stroke:  0.5 pt, dashed line interv al: 5.5 mm, 100% black; 
 Scale text: Helvetica Bold 11 pt, 100% black; 
 Value of noise 
– Box:  width: 25 mm, heigh t: 10 mm, 100% black;  
– Text:  Helvetica Bold 20 pt, 100% white; 
– Unit text:  Helvetica Bold Regular for ‘(A)’ 13 pt, 100% white; 
 EU logo:  width:  9 mm, height: 6 mm;  
 Directive reference:  Helvetica Regular 7.5 pt, 100% black;   
EN 24   EN Tyre class reference:  Helvetica Bold 7.5 pt, 100% black;  
c) The background must be white. 
1.5 The tyre class (C1, C2 or C3) must be indi cated on the label in the format prescribed 
in the illustration section 1.2.  
2. Brand space 
2.1 Suppliers must add their name, the tyre li ne, tyre dimension, load  index, speed rating 
and other technical specifi cation on the sticker along with the label in any colour, 
format and design, provided that the propor tional size of brand space does not exceed 
a 4:5 ratio against the size of the labe l and the message pub lished along with the 
label does not disrupt th e message of the label.   
EN 25   EN Annex III  
Information provided in tec hnical promotional literature  
1. Information on tyre shall be provided in the order specified as follows:  
(i) the fuel efficiency class (letter A to G); (ii) the wet grip class (letter A to G); (iii) the external rolling noi se measured value (dB).  
2. This information must meet the following requirements: 
(i) be easy to read; (ii) be easy to understand; (iii) if different grading ar e available for a given tyre type depending on dimension 
or other parameters, the range between th e least- and best-performing tyre is 
stated. 
3. Suppliers must also make available on their website: 
(i) an explanation of the pi ctograms printed on the label; 
(ii) a statement highlighting the fact that actual fuel savings and road safety heavily 
depend on drivers' behaviour, in particular the following:  
– eco-driving can significantly reduce fuel consumption;  
– tyre pressure should be regularly ch ecked for higher wet grip and fuel 
efficiency performance characteristics; 
– stopping distances should alwa ys be strictly respected.  
EN 26   EN Annex IV: Verification procedure  
The conformity of the declared fuel efficiency  and wet grip classes as well as the declared 
external rolling noise measured value shall be assessed for each tyre type or each grouping of 
tyres as determined by the supplier; a ccording to the following procedure:  
(1) a single tyre shall be tested first. If th e measured value meets the declared class or 
external rolling noise measured value, the test is passed;  
(2) if the measured value does not meet th e declared class or external rolling noise 
measured value, three more tyres shall be tested. The average measurement value 
stemming from the four tyres tested shall be used to assess accordance with the 
declared information.