Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Council Directive 92/23/EEC relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers and to their fitting
Date: 1997-12-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Community certification, commercial vehicle, motor vehicle, noise protection, pneumatic tyre

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  10.12.1997 
COM(97) 680  final 

97/ 0348  (COD) 

Proposal  for a 

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT  AND  COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 

amending Council Directive 92/23/EEC relating to tyres for motor vehicles and 
their trailers and to their fitting 

(presented by the  Commission) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

1. 

Aim 

The  aim  of  the  proposed  measures  is  to  limit  the  noise  generated  by  the  contact 
between 
tyres  in  motion  and  road  surfaces  which,  together  with  the  action  already 
taken  in  order  to  curtail  the  noise  emissions  from  the  mechanical  parts  of  vehicles, 
will  have  positive  effects  on  the  fight  against  noise  caused  by  road  traffic  without 
thereby  diminishing  road  safety  and without excessive disruption  of the tyre  market. 

2. 

Background 

to 

is  a  follow  up 

The  proposed  action 
the  provisions  of  Article  4(2)  of 
Directive  92/97/EEC1  -  amending  Directive  70/157/EEC  on  the  permissible  sound 
-  which  lay  down  that  decisions 
level  and  exhaust  system  of  motor  vehicles 
concerning  subsequent  action, 
the  safety 
requirements  with  the  need  to  limit  the  noise  generated  by  contact  between  tyres  and 
road  surfaces  will  be  adopted  on  the  basis  of  a proposal  from  the  Commission  which 
will take account of the studies and research to be conducted  on that source of noise. 

in  particular 

to  reconcile 

intended 

The  Commission  first  of  all  made  its  ad  hoc  "ERGA-Noise"  group  responsible  for 
developing  a  realistic,  reproducible  method  enabling  the  noise  arising  from  contact 
between tyres in motion and road  surfaces  to be  measured. 

Once  this  method  of  measurement  had  been  defined  the  Commission  prompted  a 
study  intended  to produce  a numerical  value  for  the  sound  level  of the tyre-road  noise 
generated  by different  types of tyre  fitted  to different  types of motor  vehicle. 

3. 

General  aspects of the limit values  proposed 

As  regards  the  limit  values  for  tyre-road  noise,  the  Commission's  proposal  has 
adopted  values  deriving  from  the  nominal  rim  size  for  tyres  intended  to  be  fitted  to 
passenger  cars  (limit  values  spread  between  72  and  76  decibels)  and  from  the  use 
category  for  commercial-vehicle  tyres (limit values between  75 and  79 decibels). 

These  limit  values  were  submitted  to  the  working  party  on  "Motor  Vehicles"  and  the 
opinions  expressed  by  the  Member-State  experts  were  divided.  Indeed,  although  the 
experts  from  certain  Member  States  fully  supported  the  limit  values  put  forward  by 
the  Commission,  those  from  other  Member  States  and  those  from  the  tyre  industry 
nevertheless  felt  that  those  values  would  be  too  stringent  and  that  an  increase  by  two 
decibels  would  be  fairer.  However,  the  Commission  feels  that  the  limit  values  put 
forward  constitute  3  fair  balance  between  the  interests  of  the  market  and  those  of 

GJ No L 3 7 Î,  19.12.1992, p. Ï 
OJ No L 42, 23.2.1970, p.  16 

environmental  protection.  It should  be pointed out in this connection  that a raising of 
the limit  values by even a single decibel  would  be likely to reduce the  impact  of the 
action in such a way that only about 8% of the tyres offered  for  sale would have to be 
altered  in  order  ta  become  less  noisy  and  thus  the  meet  the  new  requirements,  as 
compared with roughly 25% that would have to be adjusted  to the new requirements if 
they were to remain below the limit values put forward  by the Commission. 

4. 

Specific factors 

Article  1  provides, in particular, that the requirements of the new Annex V concerning 
tyre-road noise shall not apply to road tyres intended to be fitted  to vehicles registered 
for the first time before  1 October  1980. Indeed, if such tyres, which have  dimensions 
and  characteristics  that  are  specific  to  die vehicles  of the  period  (for  example  Aston 
Martin,  Ferrari  Dino,  etc.),  are  not  expected  to  meet  the  requirements  concerning 
tyre-road  noise,  their  impact  on  the  environment  would  nevertheless  be  very  low 
owing to their very restricted numbers, which are decreasing with time. 

Article 2 provides for a date (1 October 2001) starting from which the requirements of 
the Directive will apply to both Ml  vehicles and their tyres and vehicles in categories 
other  than  Ml  and  their  tyres, by  presenting  the  two  scenarios  involved:  where  the 
requirements  of the directive will  be applicable  (a) within  a total  harmonised  system 
and  (b)  within  an  optional  harmonisation  system  (national  type  approvals  still 
possible). 

In  addition  Article  2  provides  for  a  date  (1  October  2005)  from  which  any 
replacement tyres already having been approved before  the date of entry  into force  of 
the new directive will have to meet the requirements of the latter. 

5. 

Future activities 

The Commission would like to point out that the requirements intended to reduce the 
noise  arising  from  contact  between  tyres  in  motion  and  road  surfaces  constitute  an 
initial  thrust in the fight against this source of noise and that they must  subsequently 
be reviewed in the light of their effect  on the market and the environment. 

* ** 

Proposal for a 

European Parliament and Council Directive 

amending Council Directive 92/23/EEC relating to tyres for motor vehicles and 
their trailers and to their fitting 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION, 

Having  regard  to the Treaty  establishing  the European  Community  and  in  particular 
Article  100a thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee2, 

acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article  189b of the Treaty, 

(1)  Whereas the internal market comprises an entity without internal frontiers  within 

which  the  free  movement  of  goods,  persons,  services  and  capital  shall  be 

guaranteed; whereas measures should be adopted for that purpose; 

(2)  Whereas  Council  Directive  92/23/EEC  relating  to  tyres  for  motor  vehicles  and 
their  trailers,  and  to  their  fitting3  is  one  of  the  separate  directives  under  the 

Community  approval procedure introduced  by Council  Directive  70/156/EEC on 

1 
2 
3 

O J No C 
OJ No C 
OJ No L 129, 24.5.1992, p. 95 

the  type  approval  of  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers4,  as  last  amended  by 
European  Parliament  and  Council  Directive  97/27/EC5;  whereas  the  provisions 

of Directive 70/156/EEC concerning  systems, components  and separate  technical 

units for motor vehicles shall thus apply to this directive; 

(3)  Whereas  in particular  in implementing  Articles  3, paragraph  4, and 4,  paragraph 

3,  of  Directive  70/156/EEC,  each  separate  directive  shall  contain,  in  an  annex 

thereto,  an  information  document  and  an  approval  document  drawn  up  in 

accordance  with  Annex VI  to  said  directive  for  the  purpose  of  computerising 

approval;  whereas  the  approval  document  set  out  in  Directive  92/23/EEC  must 

therefore be amended; 

(4)  Whereas  Article 4,  paragraph 2,  of  Council  Directive  92/97/EEC6  amending 

Council Directive 70/157/EEC relating to the permissible noise level and exhaust 
system  of  motor  vehicles7,  as  last  amended  by  Commission  Directive 

96/20/EEC  , states that any subsequent action intended, in particular, to reconcile 

the  safety  requirements  with  the  need  to  limit  the  noise  arising  from  contact 

between  tyres and road  surfaces  will be adopted  on the basis  of  a proposal  from 

the  Commission  which  will  take  account  of  the  studies  and  research  to  be 

conducted in connection with that source of noise; 

(5)  Whereas a realistic, reproducible  method enabling the noise arising  from  contact 

between tyres and road surfaces  has been developed; whereas on the basis of that 

new  method  of measurement  a study  has been  carried  out in  order  to produce  a 

OJ No L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1 
OJ No L 233, 25.8.1997, p. 1 
OJ No L 371,  19.12.1992, p. 1 
OJ No L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 16 
OJNoL92,  13.4.1996, p. 23 

numerical  value  for the sound  level  representing the tyre-road  noise  generated  by 

various types of tyres fitted to various types of motor vehicle; 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 

Directive 92/23/EEC shall be amended as follows: 

Article  1 

1.  "EEC component  type  approval" and "EEC approval" shall  be replaced  in  every 

instance by the term "EC approval". 

2.  The  definition  of  "tyre" in Article  1, first indent,  shall  read "any  new  pneumatic 

tyre,  in the  form  of  original  equipment  or of  a replacement,  intended  to be fitted 

to vehicles to which Directive  70/156/EEC applies". 

The following  shall be added to the end of Article  1 : 

"The requirement set out in Annex V shall not apply to: 

- 

tyres whose speed rating is less than 80 km/h, 

- 

tyres whose nominal rim diameter does not exceed 254 mm (or code  10), 

-  spare tyres intended for temporary use, 

- 

tyres  intended  to  be  fitted  to  vehicles  registered  for  the  first  time  before 

1 October  1980." 

3.  Paragraphs  1  and  2  in  Article  2  shall  be  replaced  by  the  three  following 

paragraphs: 

"1.  Member  States  shall  grant  EC  approval,  under  the  conditions  laid  down  in 

Annex I,  to  all  types  of  tyre  manufactured 

in  accordance  with  the 

requirements  of  Annex II, and  shall  allocate  to these  an approval  number  as 

specified  in Annex I. 

2.  Member  States  shall  grant  EC  approval,  under  the  conditions  laid  down  in 

Annex 1,  to  all  types  of  tyres  manufactured 

in  accordance  with  the 

requirements of  Annex V and  shall  allocate  to  these  an  approval  number  as 

specified  in Annex I. 

3.  Member States shall grant EC approval to all vehicles in respect of their tyres 

under  the  conditions  laid  down  in  Annex III,  where  those  tyres  (including 

spare  tyres,  where  appropriate)  meet  the  requirements  of  Annex II  and  the 

requirements  concerning  vehicles  laid down  in Annex IV, and  shall  allocate 

to any such vehicle an approval number as specified  in Annex III". 

4.  ANNEX  V  - Tyre-road  noise emission"  shall  be  added  to the  end  of the  list  of 

annexes. 

5.  The annexes shall be amended in accordance with the annex to this directive. 

Article 2 

1.  From  1.10.2001  Member  States  may  no  longer  grant  EC  approval  for 

category-Mi  vehicles  in  accordance  with  Article 4,  paragraph  1,  of  Directive 

70/156/EEC to a type of vehicle for reasons relating to its tyres and their fitting, 

or  to  a  type  of  tyre  in  accordance  with  Article 4,  paragraph 2,  of  Directive 

70/156/EEC  intended  for  such  vehicles  if  the  requirements  of  Directive 

92/23/EEC, as amended by this directive, are not met. 

2.  From  1.10.2001 Member  States  may  no  longer  grant the  following  for  vehicles 

within categories other than Ml : 

EC 

approval 

in 

accordance  with  Article 4, 

paragraph  1, 

of 

Directive 70/156/EEC, 

or 

national  approval,  unless  the  provisions  of  Article 8,  paragraphs 2,  of 

Directive 70/156/EEC are invoked, 

to a type of vehicle for reasons relating to its tyres and their fitting, or to a type of 

tyre intended  for  such vehicles, if they do not comply  with Directive 92/23/EEC 

as amended by this directive. 

3.  From  1.10.2001 Member States shall 

-  consider  the  certificates  of  conformity  accompanying  new  vehicles  in 

accordance  with  the provisions  of Directive 70/156/EEC as being  no  longer 

valid for the purposes of Article 7, paragraph  1, of said directive 

and 

-  prohibit  the registration,  sale, or placing  in service  of  new vehicles that  are 

not  accompanied  by  a  certificate  of  conformity 

in  accordance  with 

Directive 70/156/EEC  unless  the  provisions  of  Article 8,  paragraph 2,  of 

Directive 70/156/EEC are invoked, 

for  reasons  relating  to  the  tyres,  and  their  fitting  to  these  new  vehicles,  if  the 

requirements of Directive 92/23/EEC, as amended by this directive, are not met. 

4.  From  1.10.2005 Member States shall 

-  consider  certificates  of  conformity  accompanying  new  tyres  in  accordance 

with the provisions of Directive  70/156/EEC, to be no longer to be valid  for 

the purposes of Article 7, paragraph 2, of said directive 

and 

-  prohibit  the  sale  of  new  tyres  that  are  not  accompanied  by  a  certificate  of 

conformity  in  accordance  with  Directive  70/156/EEC, unless the  provisions 

of Article 8, paragraph 2, of Directive 70/156/EEC are invoked, 

for reasons relating to the new tyres, if the requirements of Directive 92/23/EEC, 

as amended by this directive, are not met. 

Article 3 

1.  Member  States  shall  adopt  the  laws,  regulations  and  administrative  provisions 

needed in order to comply with this directive before  1.10.2001 and shall  forthwith 

inform the Commission thereof. 

They shall apply these measures from 1.10.2001. 

2.  When  the  Member  States  adopt  these  measures  they  shall  contain  a reference  to 

this directive or shall be accompanied by such a reference  on the occasion of their 

official  publication.  The methods of making  such a reference  shall  be laid  down 

by the Member States. 

3.  Member  States  shall  communicate  to  the  Commission  the  text  of  the  main 

provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this directive. 

Article 4 

This directive shall take effect  from  the date of its publication  in the Official  Journal 

of the European Communities. 

Article 5 

This directive is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

ANNEX 

1.  Annex I to Directive 92/23/EEC shall be replaced with the following Annex I: 

"Annex I 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS FOR THE EC TYPE-
APPROVAL OF TYRES 

APPLICATION  FOR  THE  EC  TYPE-APPROVAL  OF  A  TYPE 
OF TYRE 

The application  for  EC type-approval  for  a type of tyre pursuant to 
Article 3(4) of Directive  70/156/EEC  is to be submitted  by the tyre 
manufacturer. 

The application  for  EC type-approval  pursuant  to Annex II is to be 
accompanied,  in  triplicate,  by  a  description  of  the  tyre  type  as 
described in the information  document in Appendix  1 A. 

The application  must be accompanied  (all  in triplicate)  by a sketch, 
or  a  representative  photograph,  which  identifies  the  tyre  tread 
pattern and a sketch of the envelope of the inflated  tyre mounted on 
the  measuring  rim  showing  the  relevant  dimensions  (see  sections 
6.1.1. and 6.1.2. of Annex II) of the type submitted for approval. 

It must  also  be accompanied  either  by the test  report  issued  by the 
Testing  Body which has carried  out the tests or, at the discretion of 
the competent authority, by one or two samples of the tyre type to be 
tested. 

The application  for  EC type-approval  pursuant to Annex V is to be 
accompanied,  in  triplicate,  by  a  description  of  the  tyre  type  as 
described in the information  document in Appendix  IB. 

The application must be accompanied  (all in triplicate) by sketches, 
drawings  or  photographs  of  the  tread  pattern(s) 
is/are 
representative of the type of tyres. 

that 

It must  also be  accompanied  either  by the test  report  issued  by the 
Testing Body that has carried out the tests or, at the discretion of the 
competent  authority,  by  four  samples  of 
is 
representative of the type to be tested. 

the  size 

that 

1. 

1.1. 

1.1.1. 

1.1.1.1. 

1.1.1.2. 

1.1.2. 

1.1.2.1. 

1.1.2.2. 

1.2. 

The  manufacturer  may  apply  for  the  EC  type-approval  to  be 
extended 

10 

1.2.1. 

1.2.2. 

1.3. 

2. 

2.1. 

3. 

3.1. 

3.1.1. 

3.2. 

3.2.1. 

,

j. 

to include modified  tyre types for type-approvals pursuant to Annex 
II and/or 

to  include  additional 
tyre  size  designations  and/or  amended 
manufacturer's  trade  descriptions  and/or  tread  patterns  for  type-
approvals pursuant to Annex V. 

The  approval  authority  may  accept  the  laboratories  of  the  tyre 
manufacturer  as approved test laboratories pursuant to Article  14(1) 
of Directive 70/156/EEC. 

INSCRIPTIONS 

Specimens  of a type  of tyre  submitted  for  EC type-approval  must 
bear the applicant's clearly visible and indelible trade mark or name 
and must  allow  sufficient  space for the inscription  of the  EC type-
approval mark. 

EC TYPE-APPROVALS 

EC type-approval  pursuant to Article 4(3) of Directive 70/156/EEC 
is  to  be  granted  and  a  type-approval  number  is  to  be  issued  in 
respect of any tyre type, submitted  in accordance with  1.1.1. above, 
which satisfies the requirements of Annex II. 

Notice  of approval  or of the extension  or refusal  of  approval  of a 
tyre  type  pursuant  to  Annex  II  must  be  communicated  to  the 
Member  States  by  means  of  a  form  conforming  to  the  model  in 
Appendix 2A. 

EC type-approval  pursuant to Article 4(3) of Directive 70/156/EEC 
is  to  be  granted  and  a  type-approval  number  is  to  be  issued  in 
respect of any tyre type, submitted  in accordance with  1.1.2. above, 
which satisfies the requirements of Annex V. 

Notice of approval or of extension or of refusal  of approval of a tyre 
type  pursuant  to  Annex  V must  be communicated  to the  Member 
States by means of a form conforming to the model in Appendix 2B. 

An  approval  number  is to be assigned  to each  tyre  type-approved. 
The  same  Member  State  must  not  assign  the  same  number  to 
another tyre type.  In particular, approval numbers assigned pursuant 
to  Annex  II  and approval  numbers  assigned  pursuant  to  Annex V 
must be different. 

11 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

EC TYPE-APPROVAL MARKING 

Any tyre conforming  to a type in respect of which type-approval has 
been  granted  pursuant  to  this  Directive  must  bear  the  relevant  EC 
type-approval mark. 

The EC type-approval  mark will  consist  of a rectangle  surrounding 
the  lower  case  letter  'e'  followed  by the  distinguishing  letter(s)  or 
number of the Member State which has granted the type-approval as 
per  Annex  VII  to  Directive  70/156/EEC.  The  EC  type-approval 
number  will  consist  of  the  type-approval  number  shown  on  the 
certificate  completed for the type, preceded by two figures  : '00'  for 
commercial vehicle tyres, '02' for passenger car tyres. 

4.2.1. 

The rectangle forming the EC mark must have a minimum length of 
12 mm and a minimum height of 8 mm.  Letters and number(s) must 
be at least 4 mm in height. 

4.3. 

4.4. 

4.5. 

The EC type-approval marks and numbers, and any additional marks 
required  in  Annex  II,  section  3.,  the  latter  for  the  type-approval 
pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  Annex  II,  must  be  affixed  as 
prescribed in that section. 

Approval numbers assigned pursuant to Annex V must be  followed 
by the suffix  's'. 

An example of the EC mark is given below: 

a = 12 mm minimum 

e  IRL 

00479 

e  3 

00687-s 

The tyre bearing the EC mark shown above is a commercial  vehicle 
tyre (00) satisfying  the EC requirements (e), for which the EC mark 
has been granted in Ireland (IRL) under the number 479 pursuant to 

12 

Annex II and in Italy (3) under the number 687 pursuant to Annex V 
(s). 

Note :  The  numbers  '479'  and  '687'  (EC-mark  type-approval 
numbers) and the letters 'IRL'  and the digit  ' 3' (letters and 
number of the Member  States which granted the EC mark) 
are for guidance only. 

The  approval  numbers  must  be  placed  close  to  the  rectangle  and 
either  above  or below or to the  left  or the right.  The  digits  of  the 
approval number must all be on the same side of the 'e'  and face  in 
the same direction. 

MODIFICATION OF A TYRE TYPE 

If a tyre type-approved pursuant to Annex II or pursuant to Annex V 
has  been  modified, 
5  of 
the  provisions 
Directive 70/156/EEC shall apply. 

of  Article 

If  the  tread  pattern  of  a  tyre  has  been  modified  in  the  case  of 
type-approvals  pursuant  to  Annex  II  no  repetition  of  the  tests 
prescribed in Annex II is considered necessary. 

tyre-size  designations, 

Where 
tread-pattern 
descriptions have been added to a range of tyres in the case of type-
approvals pursuant to Annex V no repetition  of the tests prescribed 
in Annex V is considered necessary. 

trade  marks  and 

If  there  has  been  a modification  of  the  tyre  tread  pattern(s)  in  the 
case of type-approvals pursuant to Annex V no repetition of the tests 
prescribed 
these 
modifications  do not adversely affect  the tyre/road noise emissions. 

is  considered  necessary 

in  Annex  V 

if 

CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION 

As a general  rule, measures to ensure the conformity  of production 
shall be taken in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 
10 of Directive 70/156/EEC. 

If,  when  checks  are  carried  out  in  accordance  with  Appendix  1 to 
Annex  V in order to check the conformity  of production,  the  noise 
level  of  the  tyre  tested  does  not  exceed  the  limit  values  set  out  in 
section 4.2. of Annex V by more than  1  dB(A), the production  shall 
be  deemed  to  conform  to  the  requirements  of  section  4.  of  the 
above-mentioned Annex V. 

13 

5. 

5.1. 

5.2. 

5.3. 

5.4. 

6. 

6.1. 

6.2. 

2.  Appendix  1 to Annex  I shall be renumbered  'Appendix  1A'  and the title  shall 

read as follows: 

"Appendix 1A 

INFORMATION  DOCUMENT No 

RELATING TO EC TYPE-

APPROVAL FOR A TYRE 

(Annex II of Directive 92/23/EEC)". 

3.  Appendix  2 to  Annex  I shall  be renumbered  'Appendix  2A'  and the  title  shall 

read as follows: " 

"Appendix 2A 

MODEL 

(maximum format: A4 (210 x 297 mm) 

EC TYPE-APPROVAL  CERTIFICATE" 

4. 

The following  new Appendices  IB and 2B shall be added after Appendix 2A: 

"Appendix  IB 

RELATING TO EC TYPE-
INFORMATION DOCUMENT No 
APPROVAL FOR A TYRE RELATING TO TYRE/ROAD NOISE 
EMISSION 

(Annex V of Directive 92/23/EEC) 

The following  information,  if applicable, must be supplied  in triplicate and  include a list 
of contents.  Drawings, if any, must be supplied to an appropriate  scale and  in  sufficient 
detail on size A4 or folded  to that size.  Relevant performance-related  information  must 
be supplied  in the case of microprocessor controlled  functions. 

1.  GENERAL 

•1.1.  Manufacturer's  name: 

1.2.  Name and address of applicant: 

1.3.  Address(es) of manufacturing  plant(s): 

... 

1.4.  Means of identification of the type: (trade mark(s) and trade description(s)) : 

14 

2. 

TYRES 

2.1.  Tyre classification:  (class C1, class C2 or class C3) 

2.2.  Category of use: (normal, snow or special) 

2.3.  List of tread-pattern designations: 

(specify  for each trade mark and trade description the list of tyre designations 
as per section 2.17. of Annex II to Directive 92/23/EEC adding, in the case of 
class CI tyres, the mark 'Reinforced'  or 'Extra Load', if applicable). 

Appendix 2B 

Model 

(maximum format: A4 (210 x 297 mm) 

EC TYPE-APPROVAL  CERTIFICATE 

(tyre/road noise emission) 

STAMP OF 
ADMINISTRATION 

Communication concerning the: 

-type-approval(1) 

-extension of type-approval 

-refusal  of type-approval( 

-withdrawal of type-approval 

of  a  type  of  tyre  with  regard  to  Annex  V  to  Directive  92/23/EEC,  as  last 
amended by Directive .../.../EC, relating to tyre/road noise emission. 

EC type-approval No: 

Extension No: 

SECTION I 

0.  GENERAL 

0.1.  Manufacturer's  name: 

0.2.  Name and address of applicant: 

15 

0.3.  Address(es) of manufacturing plants): 

SECTION II 

1.  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

1.1.  Trade name(s) and trade description(s): 

1.2.  Tyre classification:  (class CI, class C2 or class C3)(1) 

1.3.  Category of use: (Normal/Snow/Special) 

2. 

Testing Body responsible for carrying out tests: 

3.  Date of test report: 

4.  Number of test report: 

5.  Grounds for extending type-approval (where appropriate): 

6. 

Comments (if any): 

7.  Date and place: 

8. 

Signature: 

9.  A list  of  documents  making  up the type-approval  file  is  lodged  with the 
authority  that  has  granted  the  approval  and  which  may  be  obtained  on 
request, is attached. 

(i) 

Delete as appropriate.' 

In Annex IV, section 3.1.1. shall be amended to read as follows: 

"3.1.1. 

Subject  to  the  provisions  of  section  3.7.4.,  every  tyre  fitted  to  a 
vehicle, including any spare, must bear the EC type-approval mark as 
specified in section 4. of Annex I or the type-approval mark indicating 
compliance with ECE Regulations Nos. 30 or 54 as referred  to in the 
recitals of this Directive.  ECE type-approval marks are considered to 
be equivalent only to the EC type-approval marks granted pursuant to 
Annex II." 

16 

6. 

The following  new annex V and the pertaining  Appendix  1 shall be added  after 
annex IV : 

"ANNEX V 

TYRE/ROAD NOISE EMISSION 

1. 

SCOPE 

This annex applies to the EC type-approval  of tyres, as components, 
in respect of tyre/road noise emissions. 

2. 

DEFINITIONS 

For  the  purposes  of  this  Annex,  the  definitions  of  Annex  II  shall 
apply, except  for  the definition  under  section  2.1.,  which  shall  read 
as follows: 

2.1. 

"Type of tyres" 

means, in relation to type-approval pursuant to this Annex (tyre/road 
noise  emission),  a  range  of  tyres  consisting  of  a  list  of  tyre  size 
designations  (see  section  2.17.  in Annex  II), trade  marks  and  trade 
descriptions which do not differ  in such essential characteristics as: 

-the manufacturer's  name 

-the tyre classification  (see section 2.4. of this Annex) 

-the tyre structure (see section 2.1.4. of Annex II) 

-the category of use (see section 2.1.3. of Annex II) 

-the tyre/road noise emission. 

In addition, the following  definitions  shall also apply: 

2.2. 

"Trade description" 

means  the  identification  of the  tread  pattern  design  as  provided  by 
the tyre manufacturer.  It may coincide with the trade mark. 

2.3. 

"Tyre/road noise emission" 

means  the  noise  arising  from  the  contact  between  tyres  in  motion 
and the road surface. 

17 

2.4. 

For  the  purpose  of  this  Annex,  the  following  classification  shall 
apply: 

class C1  tyres 

passenger car tyres (see section  2.32. of Annex  II); 

class C2 tyres 

commercial  vehicle  tyres  (see  section  2.33.  of 
Annex  II)  with  load  capacity 
index  in  single 
formation  <  121 and  speed  category  symbol  >  "N" 
(see section 2.29.3. of Annex II); 

class C3 tyres 

commercial  vehicle tyres (see section  2.33. of Annex 
II) with load capacity  index in single formation  < 121 
and  speed  category  symbol  <  "M"  (see  section 
2.29.3. of Annex  II) or commercial  vehicle tyres (see 
section 2.33. of Annex  II) wilh  load capacity  index in 
single formation  >  122. 

3. 

3.1. 

MARKING  REQUIREMENTS 

The tyres must  bear: 

3.1.1. 

the manufacturer's  name or trade  mark; 

3.1.2. 

the  trade  description,  as  defined  in  section  2.2.  However,  the  trade 
description  is not required when  it coincides with the trade  mark; 

3.1.3. 

the tyre size designation, as defined  in section  2.17. of Annex  II; 

3.1.4. 

3.1.5. 

4. 

4.1. 

the  inscription  'REINFORCED'  (or  alternatively  'EXTRA  LOAD') 
if the lyre  is classified  as reinforced  (see section  2.3.4. of  Annex  II); 

the  inscription  'M+S'  (or alternatively  'M.S'  or  'M&S')  if the tyre  is 
a  snow tyre. 

TYRE/ROAD NOISE EMISSION  REQUIREMENTS 

General  requirements 

A  set  of  four  tyres  bearing  to  the  same  tyre  size  designation  and 
trade  description  that  is representative  of the  range  of tyres,  shall  be 
submitted  to a tyre/road  noise emission  level test to be carried  out  as 
specified  in Appendix  1. 

4.2. 

The  noise  levels  determined  in  accordance  with  Appendix  1  shall 
not exceed  the  following  limits : 

18 

4.2.1 

Class  Cl  tyres,  with  reference  to  the  nominal  section  width  (see 
Annex  II, section 2.17.1.1.) of the tyre that has been tested: 

Nominal section 
width 

Limit value 
expressed  in dB(A) 

145 and lower 

155 and  165 

175 and  185 

195 to 215 

225 and larger 

72 

73 

74 

75 

76 

4.2.1.1, 

For reinforced  tyres (see Annex II, section 3.1.8.), the limit values in 
section 4.2.1. shall be increased by 1  dB(A). 

4.2.1.2. 

For tyres classilied  in category of use "Special" (see Annex  II, section 
2.1.3.), the limit values in section 4.2.1. shall be increased by 2 dB(A). 

4.2.2. 

Class C2 tyres, with  reference  to the category  of  use (see  Annex" II, 
section 2.1.3.) of the range of tyres: 

Category of use 

Limit value 
expressed  in dB(A) 

Normal 

Snow 

Special 

75 

77 

78 

4.2.3. 

Class C3 tyres, with  reference  to the category  of use (see Annex II, 
section 2.1.3.) of the range of tyres: 

Category of use 

Limit value 
expressed  in dB(A) 

Normal 

Snow 

Special 

76 

78 

79 

Appendix 1 

Measurement procedure for tyre/road noise levels emitted by tyres at 
high speed 

Introduction 

for  measuring 
The  present  procedure  contains  specifications 
instruments,  measurement  conditions  and  the measurement  method, 
in order to obtain the noise level of a set of tyres mounted  on a test 
vehicle  and  rolling  at  high  speed  on  a  specified  road  surface.  The 
maximum  sound  pressure  level  is  to  be  recorded  when  the  test 
vehicle is coasting, by remote-field  microphones; the final result  for 
a reference  speed is obtained from a linear regression analysis. 

1. 

1.1. 

1.1.1. 

Measuring instruments 

Acoustic measurement 

The apparatus  used for  measuring  the sound  level  must  be a type-1 
sound-level  meter as described  in IEC Publication  651  "sound  level 
meters"  (1979)  by  the  International  Electrotechnical  Commission. 
Measurements  must  be  carried  out  using  the  F  ("fast  response") 
characteristic  of  the  sound-level-meter  time  weighting  and  the 
A characteristic  of frequency  weighting  which  are also  described  in 
the above-mentioned  publication. 

At  the  beginning  and  end  of  each  set  of  measurements,  the  sound 
level meter must be calibrated in accordance with the  manufacturer's 
instructions  by  means  of  an  appropriate  sound  source  (e.g.  a 
pistonphone).  The calibration device must meet the requirements of 
class  1 in IEC 942 "sound calibrators".  The test must be considered 
invalid  if  the  sound  level  meter  errors  registered  during  this 
calibration exceed 0.5 dB. 

1.1.2. 

Positioning of the microphone. 

The microphone  must  be located  at a distance  of 7.5  ± 0.2  m  from 
track reference  line CC (figure  1) and  1.2 ± 0.1 m above the ground. 
Its  axis  of  maximum  sensitivity  must  be  horizontal  and 
perpendicular to the path of the vehicle (line CC). 

20 

1.2. 

Speed measurements 

The  vehicle  speed  on  the  test  section  will  be determined  when  the 
front  end  of  the  vehicle  has reached  line  PP' to an  accuracy  of  ± 1 
km/h (see figure 1 ). 

1.3. 

Temperature measurements 

Ambient :  the  device  must  be  capable  of  measuring  the  ambient 
temperature to within ±  1°C.  The  ambient  temperature 
is  to  be  measured  at  a  height  of  1.2  m  above  ground. 
Ambient  temperature  must  not  be  measured  in  direct 
sun-light. 

Surface  : 

the device must be capable of measuring the test  surface 
temperature to within ±  1°C.  The surface temperature is 
to be measured on the surface itself. 

1.4. 

Wind measurements 

The device must be capable of measuring the wind speed to within ± 
1 m/s at a height of  1.2 m above ground.  The wind  direction  must 
be recorded. 

2. 

2.1. 

Conditions of measurement 

Test site 

The  test  site  must  consist  of  a  central  section  surrounded  by  a 
substantially flat test area.  The measuring section must be level; the 
test surface must be dry and clean for all measurements. 

The test track  must be such that the conditions  of a  free  sound field 
between  the sound  source and the microphone are attained  to within 
1 dB.  These  conditions  shall  be deemed  to  be  met  if  there  are  no 
large  sound  reflecting  objects  such  as  fences,  rocks,  bridges  or 
buildings within 50 m of the centre of the measuring section. 

The surface  of the test track and the dimensions of the test site must 
be in accordance with Annex VI to Directive 92/97/EEC. 

A central part of at least  10 m radius must be free  of powdery snow, 
tall grass, loose soil or cinders. 

There must be no obstacle which could affect  the sound field within 
the vicinity of the microphone and no person is to stand between the 
microphone  and  the  sound  source.  The  operator  carrying  out  the 
measurements  and  any  observers  attending  the  measurements  must 

21 

position themselves so as not to affect  the readings of the measuring 
instruments. 

2.2. 

Meteorological conditions 

No measurements must be made under poor atmospheric conditions. 
It must be ensured that the results are not affected  by gusts of wind. 

No tests are to be performed  if the wind speed at microphone height 
exceeds 5 m/s. 

The  measurements  shall  not  be  made  if  either  the  ambient  or  test 
track surface temperature is below 5 °C. 

2.3. 

Ambient noise 

The  background  noise  level  (including  any  wind  noise)  must  be at 
least  10 dB less than the tyre/road noise measured.  A suitable shield 
may be fitted  to the microphone provided that account is taken of its 
effect  on  the  sensitivity  and  directional  characteristics  of  the 
microphone. 

Any  measurement  affected  by  a  sound  peak  which  appears  to  be 
unrelated to the characteristics of the general noise level of the tyres, 
is to be ignored. 

2.4. 

Test vehicle requirements 

2.4.1. 

2.4.2. 

2.4.3. 

2.4.4. 

The  test  vehicle  will  be  a  motor  vehicle  and  be  fitted  with  four 
single tyres on just two axles. 

The  vehicle  must  be  loaded  such  as  to  comply  with  the  test  tyre 
loads as specified in section 2.5.3. 

The wheelbase between the two axles fitted  with the test tyres must 
be less than  3 m  in case of class C1 tyres and  5 m in case of class 
C2 and C3 tyres (see section 2.4. of Annex V). 

To  ensure  that  tyre  noise  is  not  significantly  affected  by  vehicle 
design  features  any  spray  suppression  equipment  fitted,  must  be 
removed  and  no  vehicles  should  be  used  whose  bodywork,  in  the 
vicinity of the tyres, could affect  the noise generated by the tyres. 

For example, it is not permitted  to add or to retain  any  components 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  rims  and  tyres  which  may  screen 
and absorb the noise emitted by the tyres. 

22 

However,  it is permissible  to remove or modify  any  components  of 
the  vehicle  that  may  contribute  to  the  background  noise  of  the 
vehicle. 

In  addition,  the  vehicle's  track  width  may  be  altered  in  order  to 
enable  the  tyres  to  extend  either  partially  or  totally  beyond  the 
outline  vehicle.  Such  changes  may  be  required,  for  example,  to 
ensure adequate steerability when wide tyres are being tested. 

2.5. 

Tyres 

2.5.1. 

Four  tyres  of  the  same  type  and  range  must  be  fitted  to  the  test 
vehicle. 

Tyres with special fitting requirements must be tested  in accordance 
with these requirements (e.g. direction of rotation,...). 

The tyres must have full tread depth before being run in. 

2.5.2. 

Tyres are to be tested on rims permitted by the tyre  manufacturer. 

2.5.3. 

For each tyre  on the test  vehicle, the  test  load  Q^ must  be  70 % to 
load  Qr 
90 %  of  reference  load  Qr.  For  all  tyres,  reference 
corresponds to the maximum mass associated  with the load capacity 
index  of  the  tyre  (see  Annex  II  -  Appendix  2).  Where  the  load 
capacity  index  consists  of  two  numbers  (see  Annex  II  -  section 
2.28.), reference  should be made to the first number.  In the case of 
some ZR tyres where the load capacity  index is omitted  (see Annex 
II - section 3.1.6.1.), reference  should be made to the maximum load 
distinctly marked on the tyre sidewall. 

2.5.4. 

Each  tyre  fitted  to  the test  vehicle  must  have  a test  pressure  P{ not 
higher than reference pressure Pr and lying within: 

Pr (Qt/Qr)1  25  ^ Pt ^  1 -2 Pr (Qt/Qr)1  25 

where : 

- 

the reference pressure Pr for "standard" class CI  tyres is 2.5 bars, 

- 

- 

the  reference  pressure  Pr  for  "reinforced"  class  CI  tyres  is  3.0 
bars", and 

the  reference  pressure  Pr  for  class  C2  and  class  C3  tyres  is  the 
pressure  corresponding  to  the  pressure  index  marked  on  the 
sidewall (see Annex II - section 3.1.11.). 

23 

2.5.5. 

The  tyres  should  be  "run-in"  prior  to  testing  in  order  to  remove 
compound  nodules  or  other  tread-pattern  characteristics  resulting 
from  the  moulding  process.  This  will  normally  require  the 
equivalent of about  100 km of normal use on the road. 

The tyres fitted to the test vehicle  must rotate  in the same  direction 
as when they were run in. 

2.5.6. 

Tyres must be warmed up prior to testing. 

3. 

3.1. 

Method of testing 

General conditions 

For  all  measurements,  the  vehicle  must  be driven  in  a  straight  line 
over  the  measuring  section  (AA'  to  BB')  in  such  a  way  that  the 
median  longitudinal  plane  of  the  vehicle  is  as  close  as  possible  to 
line CC. 

When  the  front  end  of  the  test  vehicle  has  reached  line  A A',  the 
vehicle's driver must have put the gear selector in its neutral position 
and  switched  off  the  engine.  If  abnormal  noise  (e.g.  cooling  fan, 
"pre-ignition") is emitted by the test vehicle during the measurement 
the test must be repeated. 

3.2. 

Nature and number of measurements 

The maximum sound level expressed in A-weighted decibels [dB(A) 
] will  be measured  as the vehicle is coasting  between  lines AA' and 
BB' (figure  1  - Front end of the vehicle on line AA'; rear end of the 
vehicle  on  line  BB').  This  value  will  constitute  the  result  of  the 
measurement. 

At  least  four  measurements  will  be  made  on  each  side  of  the  test 
vehicle at a test  speed higher than the reference  speed,  and  at  least 
four  measurements  at  a test  speed  lower  than  the  reference  speed. 
The speeds will be more or less equally spaced over the speed range 
specified  in section 3.3. 

3.3 

Test speed 

The test vehicle speed will be within the range : 

from  70 to 90 km/h for class CI  and class C2 tyres, 

from  60 to 80 km/h for class C3 tyres. 

24 

4. 

Interpretation of results 

The  measurement  will  be  invalid  if  an  abnormal  discrepancy 
between the maximum value and the general noise level is recorded. 

4.1. 

Determination of test result 

Reference  speed  Paused to determine the final result will be : 

-80 km/h for class CI  and class C2 tyres, 

-70 km/h for class C3 tyres. 

4.2. 

Regression analysis of noise measurements 

The  (not  temperature  compensated)  tyre/road  noise  level  LR  in 
dB(A) is determined by a regression analysis according to: 

LR  =  L -  av 

where : 

L  is the mean value of the noise levels, measured  in dB(A) : 

n is the measurement number (n > 16). 

v  is the mean value of the logarithmic speeds : 

v = i f >,  with 

v^lgfo/Kj 

a  is the slope of the regression line in dB(A) 

f>,-v)U-r) 

£ ( v , - v )J 

4.3. 

Temperature compensation 

LR  determined  according  to  section  4.2.  will  be  corrected  by 
applying  a  temperature  compensation  to  a  road  surface  reference 
temperature Sref,  in accordance with the following  : 

£„(e,J = £«(©)+*(©-©„,) 

where:  0  is the road-surface temperature measured, 

25 

0^  = 2O°C, 

and K = 

0.03 dB(A)/ °C if 0)0,.,., 

O.O6dB(A)/°Cif0<0„./ 

There will be no temperature compensation for class C3 tyres. 

4.4. 

4.5. 

In  order  to  take  account  of  any  measuring-instrument  inaccuracies 
the results determined as per section 4.3. above are to be reduced by 
1 dB(A). 

The final result, the temperature  compensated  tyre/road  noise  level 
LR  (0r t /)  in  dB(A),  will  be  rounded  down  to  the  nearest  lower 
integer value. 

5. 

Test report 

The  test  report  drawn  up  for  the  purpose  of  issuing  the  certificate 
referred  to  in  appendix  2  must  provide  all  relevant  data. 
In 
particular  details  of  the  ambient  conditions:  namely  test  track,  air 
temperature,  wind  (direction  and  speed)  and  ambient  noise,  must 
also be recorded in the test report. 

26 

Figure 

Microphone positions for the measurement 

n 

B' 

10m 

10m 

27  v 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97) 680 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

02  03  10  14 

Catalogue number  :  CB-CO-97-699-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-28973-6 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg 

S