Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters {SEC(2008) 2860} {SEC(2008) 2861}
Date: 2008-11-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: ecology, energy policy, environmental protection, labelling, motor fuel, pneumatic tyre, transport policy

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 13.11.2008 
COM(2008) 779 final 

2008/0221 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 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} 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

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CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

•  Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 

With  as  much  as  23%  of  total  CO2  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 labelling of tyres by 2008. The objective is 
to  promote  the  market  transformation  towards  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  consumers  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 reducing transport energy intensity and emissions 
since they account for 20% to 30% of vehicles’ 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 worst- and the best-performing tyre set. 

Studies show that fuel efficient tyres are cost-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 equivalent 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 
market4 by car producers who have an incentive to fit their vehicles with fuel efficient 

1 

2 
3 
4 

European  Environment  Agency,  Annual  European  Community  Greenhouse  Gas  Inventory  1990-2005 
and Inventory Report 2007, p. 88. 
COM(2006) 545. 
COM(2008) 433. 
Tyres fitted on new vehicles, which constitute 22% of market share. 

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tyres in order to reduce vehicle emissions measured in compliance with type-approval 
legislation. The Regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles5 will in addition ban 
the  worst-performing  tyres  in  terms  of  fuel  efficiency  through  implementation  of 
minimum  requirements  governing  RR.  The  market  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  rolling  resistance,  and  cannot 
compare increased purchasing costs with fuel savings. Market surveys have also shown 
that consumers would be interested in buying fuel-efficient tyres. 

In addition, tyre performances are interrelated, so that acting on one parameter, such as 
energy efficiency, may have an adverse impact on other parameters, such as wet grip, 
whereas  optimising  wet  grip  may  have  an  adverse  impact  on  external  rolling  noise. 
Potential  has  been  identified  for  improving  tyre  wet-grip  performance  characteristics 
and  external  rolling  noise  above  the  minimum  requirements  set  in  the  type-approval 
legislation7.  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  arising  from  lack  of  information.  It  would 
allow consumers to make an informed choice, give incentives to tyre manufacturers to 
upgrade their products and contribute to awareness-raising. 

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•  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  transport.  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 effect by October 2012 
in the proposal for a Regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles will guarantee 
a standard level of tyre quality, 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  that  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-users will have access to objective, reliable 
and comparable information on tyre parameters. 

Harmonised and accurate testing methods will be instrumental in providing comparable 
information  on  tyre  parameters.  In  order  to  reduce  the  administrative  burden  on 
producers and the costs of testing, the same testing methods should be applied as those 
defined in the type-approval legislation on tyres. 

5 
6 
7 

Proposal COM(2008) 316 under adoption, OJ C , , p. . 
Tyres fitted on vehicles once the original ones are worn out, usually after 40 000 km for passenger cars. 
COM(2008) 316, see footnote 5. 

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140 

•  Consistency with the other policies and objectives of the Union 

Increased  market  take-up  of  fuel-efficient  tyres  through  introduction  of  an  energy 
labelling scheme will contribute to achieving the 20% energy saving potential by 2020 
identified  in  the  Energy  Efficiency  Action  Plan8  –  subsequently  endorsed  by  the 
Energy Council, the European Council and the European Parliament9. 

The proposal is in line with the revised Commission strategy on CO2 from passenger 
cars  and  light  commercial  vehicles10  and  the  input  from  the  CARS  21  high-level 
group11.  This  strategy  is  based  on  an  integrated  approach  for  achieving  the  120g/km 
CO2  target  by  2012,  with  130g/km  achieved  through  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 towards 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 for all and reduce the carbon footprint of road 
transport, thereby contributing to the policy 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 Production 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 informed choice when buying replacement tyres. 

2. 

CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

•  Consultation of interested parties 

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Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents 

Stakeholders’ opinions were consistently gathered throughout the process by means of 
bilateral meetings and various consultations with Member State representatives, NGOs, 

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15 
16 

COM(2006) 545. 
TTE, (Energy) Council of 23 November 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  C02  emissions  from  passenger  cars  and  light  commercial  vehicles 
(2007/2119 (INI)), point 32. 
COM(2007) 19. 
COM(2007) 22. 
COM(2007) 856. 
Recast of Directive 1999/94/EC. 
COM(2007) 804. 
COM(2008) 397/3. 
COM(2007) 99. 

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consumer and business organisations, the tyre industry, fleet managers, tyre dealers and 
car producers. 

-  First  reactions  were  gathered  during  DG  ENTR’s  public  consultation  on  the 
Advanced  Safety  of  Motor  Vehicles  conducted  from  August  to  October  2007,  which 
included  a  proposal  for  a  grading  of  tyre  fuel  efficiency.  This  provision  was  finally 
withdrawn  from  ENTR’s  proposal  so  as  to  allow  for  a  more  in-depth  analysis,  but 
feedback from this consultation has been taken into account. 

-  An  expert  group  meeting  with  representatives  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 minutes were published on the Europa website. 

212 

Summary of responses and how they have been taken into account 

Stakeholder consultation was instrumental in defining policy options and the possible 
design  of  a  labelling  scheme.  All  respondents  throughout  the  consultation  process  in 
general supported the introduction of a labelling scheme, but with reservations on some 
technical issues: 

- The first public consultation by ENTR highlighted the need of avoiding downgrading 
tyre  safety  performance  characteristics  when  designing  a  labelling  scheme  to  support 
fuel-efficient  tyres.  The  tyre  industry  developed  the  concept  of  a  “Tyre  Performance 
Integrated Approach” calling for simultaneous consideration of all relevant parameters. 
This  concern  was  taken  into  account  in  the  design  of  the  labelling  scheme,  which 
provides for a multi-criteria grading scheme. 

- The request was put forward for more ambitious 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 follow-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 the related production costs. The results were 
taken into account in drafting the fuel efficiency classes so as to allow for band A to be 
demanding enough to drive the market towards fuel-efficient tyres but ensure that they 
remain  cost-effective  for  end-users,  in  other  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 including C2 and C3 tyres 
(tyres  fitted  on  light-  and  heavy-duty  vehicles)  in  the  labelling  scheme.  The  road 
transport companies, including their federation, the International Road Transport Union 
(IRU),  called  for  these  tyre  classes  to  be  included  in  the  labelling  scheme.  Since  the 
impact assessment showed a significant fuel saving potential on these markets, it was 

17 

Directive 1992/75/EC. 

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decided to include them in the scope of the legislative proposal. 

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An open consultation was conducted over the Internet from 28.04.2008 to 30.05.2008. 
results  are  available  on 
The  Commission 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/under_discussion_en.htm. 

responses.  The 

received  14 

•  Collection and use of expertise 

221 

Scientific/expertise domains concerned 

An  external  study  was  contracted  with  the  European  Policy  Evaluation  Consortium 
from December 2007 to July 2008 to provide 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 parameters, 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) production costs to achieve a certain level 
of  RR  or  wet  grip  which  compared  to  related  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,  consumer  and  business  organisations,  the  tyre 
industry, tyre dealers and car producers were consulted. 

2249 

Summary of advice received and used 

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The  existence  of  potentially  serious  risks  with  irreversible  consequences  was  not 
mentioned. 

The technical input and cost/benefit analysis were included in the impact assessment. 

Means used to make the expert advice publicly available 

The external study can be downloaded at 
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/under_discussion_en.htm. 

•  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  constitutes  the  baseline  scenario,  including  the 
adoption  of  minimum  requirements  governing  rolling  resistance  (RR)  as  proposed 

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in the Regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles and existing incentives for 
car  producers  to  fit  their  vehicles  with  fuel  efficient  tyres  in  order  to  reduce  type-
approved emissions measurement levels. 

–  Option  2:  Single-criterion  labelling  scheme  for  passenger  car  tyres  (C1  tyres) 
regarding  fuel  efficiency  (RR),  with  minimum  requirements  on  other  parameters 
(wet grip and external rolling noise).  

–  Option 3: Dual-labelling scheme for C1 tyres regarding fuel efficiency and wet grip, 

with minimum requirements on external rolling noise. 

–  Option 4: Multi-criteria labelling scheme for 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 instruments and public procurement. 

Comparison  of  the  policy  options  shows  that  a  multi-criteria  grading  scheme  on  C1 
tyres (Option 4) brings the most benefits when 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  scheme)  would  be  compensated  by  safety  gains,  while  the 
extension of the labelling scheme to C2 and C3 tyres would greatly increase total fuel 
savings. 

The  Commission  carried  out  an  impact  assessment  listed  in  the  Work  Programme, 
whose report is accessible on: http://ec.europa.eu/governance/impact/cia_2008_en.htm  

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

•  Summary of the proposed action 

The  proposal  concerns  creating  a  labelling  scheme  for  tyre  parameters  including  fuel 
efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise, 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 consumers, companies and retailers by grading 
tyre  performance  characteristics.  It  will  guarantee  that  the  information  is  made 
available to end-users via different media (e.g. electronic, catalogues, stickers). 

•  Legal basis 

The legal basis for the proposal is Article 95 of the Treaty. 

•  Subsidiarity principle 

The  subsidiarity  principle  applies  insofar  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 

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for the following reasons. 

As highlighted in connection with implementation of the Car Labelling Directive18, the 
existence of 27 different labelling schemes places a major burden on producers which 
have to grade their products differently depending on in which countries they sell their 
products,  and  is  not  efficient  in  promoting  market  transformation.  The  discrepancies 
that  exist  between  product  grading  contribute  to  confusion  among  consumers  and 
undermine  their  ability  to  make  an  informed  choice.  In  addition,  Member  States, 
consumer  organisations  and  the  tyre  industry  have  expressed  their  support  for  a 
harmonised labelling scheme. 

Community action will better achieve the objectives of the proposal for the following 
reasons. 

A  harmonised  labelling  scheme  will  reduce  the  administrative  burden  on  Member 
States  and  the  tyre  industry.  It  will  avoid  fragmentation  of  the  internal  market  and 
provide a level playing field for all. 

The  scope  of  the  proposal  is  limited  to  harmonisation  of  product  information; 
implementation and market surveillance will fall under Member States’ responsibility. 

The proposal therefore complies with the subsidiarity principle. 

•  Proportionality principle 

The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reasons. 

The proposal does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve the objectives 
of  the  legislative  proposal.  The  same  tests  procedure  are  foreseen  as  in  the  type 
approval procedure in order to decrease costs lying on tyre producers. Self declaration 
should also decrease costs of testing which were estimated around 0.03 euro per tyre in 
the worst case.  

It is also proposed to develop a sticker displaying 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  languages.  Complementary  information  in  the 
relevant language will be provided 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  the  one  used  for  white  goods  under  the  Energy  Labelling 
Directive for household appliances. 

Labelling tyres should not lead to increased tyre prices. Low-budget tyres will still be 
provided for sale on the market; 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 

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Directive 1999/94/EC. 

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Proposed instruments: Directive. 

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 and consumers if they are drafted 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  the  Directive’s  fundamental 
provisions  will  be  adopted  under  co-decision,  while  the  technical  specifications  and 
adaptation to technical progress will be adopted under comitology, in accordance with 
the  regulatory  procedure  with  scrutiny  provided  for  in  Article  5a  of  Decision 
1999/468/EC. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

The proposal has no implication for the Community budget. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

•  European Economic Area 

The proposed act concerns an EEA matter and should therefore extend to the European 
Economic Area. 

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2008/0221 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 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 COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission19, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European 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) 

(2) 

(3) 

Sustainable mobility is a major challenge facing the Community in the light of climate 
change  and  the  need  to  support  European  competitiveness  as  stressed  in  the 
Commission Communication on Greening Transport23.  

The Communication of the Commission "Action Plan on Energy Efficiency- Realising 
the potential"24 highlighted the potential to reduce total energy  consumption by 20% 
by 2020 by means of a list of targeted actions including labelling of tyres. 

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 parameters which are interrelated. Improving 
one  parameter  such  as  rolling  resistance  may  have  an  adverse  impact  on  other 

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24 

OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
COM(2008) 433 
(COM(2006)545).  

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(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

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.  

Fuel-efficient  tyres  are  cost-effective  as  fuel  savings  over-compensate  for  the 
increased purchasing price of tyres stemming from higher production costs. 

[Regulation  (EC)  No  …/…  concerning  type-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  significantly  decrease  energy 
losses  due  to  tyre  rolling  resistance  beyond  those  minimum  requirements.  To  reduce 
the  environmental  impact  of  road  transport,  it  is  therefore  appropriate  to  lay  down 
provisions to encourage end-users to purchase more fuel efficient  tyres by providing 
them harmonised information about this parameter.  

Traffic noise is a significant nuisance and has a harmful effect on health. [Regulation 
(EC) No …/… concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor 
vehicles]  sets  out  minimum  requirements  on  external  rolling  noise  of  tyres. 
Technological  developments  make  it  possible to  significantly  reduce  external  rolling 
noise  beyond  those  minimum  requirements.  To  reduce  traffic  noise  it  is  therefore 
appropriate to lay down provisions to encourage end-users to purchase tyres with low 
external rolling noise by providing them harmonised information about this parameter. 

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  within  the  framework  of 
Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 
relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise26.  

[Regulation  (EC)  No  …/…  concerning  type-approval  requirements  for  the  general 
safety of motor vehicles] sets out minimum requirements on wet grip performance of 
tyres.  Technological  development  make  it  possible  to  significantly  improve  wet  grip 
beyond  those  minimum  requirements,  and  thus  to  reduce  wet  breaking  distances.  To 
improve  road  safety  it  is  therefore  appropriate  to  lay  down  provisions  to  encourage 
end-users  to  purchase  tyres  with  high  wet  grip  performance  by  providing  them 
harmonised information about this parameter. 

(10)  Other  tyre  parameters,  such  as  aquaplaning  or  handling  in  curves,  also  affect  road 
safety.  However,  at  this  stage,  harmonised  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 down provisions on harmonised information to 
end-users about such tyre parameters.  

(11)  The  provision  of  information  on  tyre  parameters  in  the  form  of  a  standard  label  is 
likely  to  influence  purchasing  decisions  by  end-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  would  pave  the  way  for  more  sustainable 
consumption and production. 

25 
26 

Proposal COM(2008) 316 under adoption, OJ C , , p. . 
OJ L 189, 18.7.2002, p. 12. 

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(12)  Multiplicity of rules concerning labelling of tyres across Member States would create 
barriers  to  intra-Community  trade  and  increase  the  administrative  burden  and  testing 
costs for tyre manufacturers. 

(13)  Replacement  tyres  account  for  78%  of  the  tyre  market.  It  is  therefore  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 managers and transport companies, who cannot 
easily compare the parameters of different tyre brands in the absence of a labelling and 
harmonised testing regime. It is therefore appropriate 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 Directive 1992/75/EC on the indication by labelling 
and standard product information of the consumption 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  distributors  as  well  as  potential  end-users  receive 
harmonised  information  on  tyre  fuel  efficiency,  wet  grip  performance  and  external 
rolling noise. 

(17)  Some end-users choose tyres before arriving 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  accordance  with  the  harmonised  testing  methods 
laid  down  in  [Regulation  (EC)  No  …/…  concerning  type-approval  requirements  for 
the  general  safety  of  motor  vehicles]  to  enable  end-users  to  compare  different  tyres 
and to limit testing costs for manufacturers.  

(19)  Where  Member  States  put  in  place  incentives  in  favour  of  fuel-efficient  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  future  State  aid  procedure  that 
may  be  undertaken  in  accordance  with  Articles  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 surveillance and regular ex-post controls.  

27 

OJ L 297, 13.10.1992, p. 16. 

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(21)  The measures necessary to implement this Directive should be adopted in accordance 
with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for 
the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission28. 

(22) 

In particular, power should be conferred on the Commission to introduce requirements 
with respect to wet grip grading of C2 and C3 tyre classes, to introduce requirements 
with  respect  to  essential  tyre  parameters  other  than  fuel  efficiency,  wet  grip  and 
external  rolling  noise  and  to  adapt  the  Annexes  to  technical  progress.  Since  those 
measures  are  of  general  scope  and  are  designed  to  amend  non-essential  elements  of 
this  Directive  by  supplementing  it,  they  must  be  adopted  in  accordance  with  the 
regulatory  procedure  with  scrutiny  provided  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. 

2. 

This Directive shall apply to C1, C2 and C3 tyres.  

By derogation from paragraph 1, this Directive shall not apply to:  

(a) 

re-treaded tyres;  

(b)  off-road professional tyres; 

(c) 

tyres designed to be fitted only to vehicles registered for the first time before 1. 
October 1990;  

(d)  T-type temporary-use spare tyres; 

(e) 

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

(f) 

(g) 

tyres whose  nominal rim diameter does  not  exceed  254  mm  or  is  635  mm  or 
more;  

tyres  fitted  with  additional  devices  to  improve  traction  properties,  such  as 
studded tyres. 

28 

OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. 

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For the purpose of this Directive:  

Article 3 
Definitions 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

‘C1, C2 and C3 tyres’ means the tyre classes defined in Article 8 of [Regulation (EC) 
No  …/…  concerning  type-approval  requirements  for  the  general  safety  of  motor 
vehicles]29; 

‘T-type temporary-use spare tyre’ means a temporary-use spare tyre designed for use 
at inflation pressures higher than those established for standard and reinforced tyres; 

‘point of sale’ means a location where tyres are displayed, stored or offered for sale, 
including  car  show  rooms  as  regards  displayed  tyres  which  are  not  fitted  on  the 
vehicles;  

‘technical  promotional  literature’  means  all  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,  including  technical  manuals,  brochures,  Internet 
marketing, leaflets and catalogues; 

‘technical  documentation’  means  information  relating  to  tyres,  including  the 
manufacturer  and  brand  of  the  tyre;  description  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.  

‘manufacturer’ means any natural or legal person who manufactures a product, or has 
a  product  designed  or  manufactured  and  markets  that  product  under  his  name  or 
trademark; 

‘importer’ means any natural or legal person established within the Community who 
places a product from a third country on the Community market; 

‘supplier’ means the manufacturer or its authorised representative in the Community 
or the importer;  

‘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 agreement at Council level to revise the 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 

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(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 suppliers comply with the following provisions: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

suppliers  shall  ensure  that  C1  and  C2  tyres,  which  are  delivered  to  distributors  or 
end-users, are equipped with a sticker on the tyre tread displaying a label indicating 
the fuel efficiency class as set out in Annex 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;  

the format of the sticker referred to in paragraph 1 shall be as prescribed in Annex II; 

suppliers shall state the fuel efficiency class, wet grip class and the external rolling 
noise measured value on technical promotional literature as set out in Annex I in the 
order specified in Annex III;  

suppliers shall make technical documentation available to the authorities of Member 
States on request, for a period ending five years after the last tyre of a given tyre type 
has  been  made  available  on  the  market;  the  technical  documentation  shall  be 
sufficiently detailed as to allow the authorities 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 distributors comply with the following provisions: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

distributors shall ensure that tyres, at the point of sale, bear the sticker provided by 
suppliers in accordance with Article 4(1) in a clearly visible position;  

where tyres offered for sale are not visible to the end-user, distributors shall provide 
end-user  with  information  on  the  fuel  efficiency  class,  wet  grip  class  and  external 
rolling noise measured value of those tyres; 

for C1 and C2 tyres, distributors shall provide the fuel efficiency class and external 
rolling  noise  measured  value  with  the  bills  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: 

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(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

car  suppliers  and  car  distributors  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; 

where  different  tyre  types  may  be  fitted on  a new  vehicle, without  end-users being 
offered  a  choice  between  them,  the  lowest  fuel  efficiency  class,  wet  grip  class  and 
the  highest  external  rolling  noise  measured  value  of  these  tyre  types  shall  be 
mentioned in the technical promotional literature in the order specified in Annex III; 

where  end-users  are  offered  a  choice  between  different  tyre  types  to  be  fitted  on  a 
new  vehicle,  car  suppliers  shall  state  the  fuel  efficiency  class,  wet  grip  class  and 
external rolling noise measured value of these tyre types in the technical promotional 
literature in the order specified in Annex III; 

where  end-users  are  offered  a  choice  between  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  the  wet  grip  class  of  tyres  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  external  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. 

2. 

Where  the  provisions  of  this  Directive  are  satisfied,  Member  States  shall  neither 
prohibit  nor  restrict  the  making  available  of  tyres  on  the  market  on  grounds  of 
product information covered by this Directive.  

Unless they have evidence to the contrary, Member States shall consider that labels 
and  product  information  comply  with  the  provisions  of  this  Directive.  They  may 
require suppliers to provide technical documentation in order to assess the accuracy 
of the declared values. 

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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-essential 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) 

(2) 

introduction  of  requirements  with  respect  to  wet  grip  grading  of  C2  and  C3  tyres, 
provided that suitable harmonised testing methods are available; 

introduction  of  requirements  with  respect  to  other  essential  parameters  insofar  as 
those  parameters  affect  the  environment,  health  or  safety,  provided  that  suitable 
harmonised  testing  methods  are  available  and  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  penalties  applicable  to  infringements  of  the 
national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take the measures necessary to 
ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate 
and dissuasive. The Member States shall notify those provisions to the Commission no later 
than  eighteen  months  after  the  entry  into  force  of  this  Directive  and  shall  notify  it  without 
delay of any subsequent amendment affecting those provisions.  

Article 13  
Committee  

1. 

2. 

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.  

Where  reference  is  made  to  this  paragraph,  Articles  5a(1)  to  (4)  and  Article  7  of 
Decision  1999/468/EC  shall  apply,  having  regard  to  the  provisions  of  Article  8 
thereof. 

Article 14 
Review 

Not  later  than  5  years  after  the  date  of  application  of  this  Directive,  the  Commission  shall 
assess the need to review the energy efficiency and wet grip classes as laid down in Annex I.  

EN 

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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 those 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 the field covered by this Directive.  

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Union. 

Article 16 

Article 17 

This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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Annex I 
Grading of tyre parameters 

Part A: Fuel efficiency classes 

The fuel efficiency class must be determined on the basis of the rolling 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 final adoption of the Directive by the 
legislature]. 

If a tyre type is approved 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 which 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 

RRC in kg/t 

Energy 
efficiency 
class 

Energy 
efficiency 
class 

RRC≤6.5 

6.6≤RRC≤7.7 

7.8≤RRC≤9.0 

Empty 

9.1≤RRC≤10.5 

10.6≤RRC≤12.0 

RRC≥12.1 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

RRC≤5.5 

5.6≤RRC≤6.7 

6.8≤RRC≤8.0 

Empty 

8.1≤RRC≤9.2 

9.3≤RRC≤10.5 

RRC≥10.6 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

RRC≤4.0 

4.1≤RRC≤5.0 

5.1≤RRC≤6.0 

6.1≤RRC≤7.0 

7.1≤RRC≤8.0 

RRC≥8.1 

Empty 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

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Part B: Wet Grip Classes  

The wet grip classes of C1 tyres must be determined on the basis of the wet grip index (G) 
according  to  the  "A  to  G"  scale  specified  below  and  measured  in  accordance  with  UNECE 
Regulation 117 on uniform provisions concerning the approval of tyres with regard to rolling 
sound emissions and to adhesion on wet surfaces30. 

G 

155≤G 

140≤G≤154 

125≤G≤139 

Empty 

110≤G≤124 

G≤109  

Empty 

Wet grip classes 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

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 emissions and to adhesion on wet surfaces.  

30 

OJ L 231, 29.08.2008, p. 19. 

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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 and the tyre line, tyre 
dimension,  load  index,  speed  rating  and  other  technical  specification  are  displayed 
(hereinafter “brand space”). 

1. 

1.1 

Label design 

The  label  printed  on  the  sticker,  referred  to  in  Articles  4(1)  and  5(1),  must  be  in 
accordance with the illustration below: 

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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 the label is printed 
in  a  larger  format,  its  content  must  nevertheless  remain  proportionate  to  the 
specifications above.  

1.4 

The label must conform to the following requirements:  

a) Colours are CMYK – cyan, magenta, yellow 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 indicated 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 – Colour: X-10-00-05;  

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  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, width: 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, height: 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, black stroke: 0.5 pt – colours: 

(cid:121) 

(cid:121) 

(cid:121) 

(cid:121) 

(cid:121) 

(cid:121) 

(cid:121) 

A: X-00-X-00; 

B: 70-00-X-00; 

C: 30-00-X-00; 

D: 00-00-X-00; 

E: 00-30-X-00; 

F: 00-70-X-00; 

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 interval: 5.5 mm, 100% black; 

Scale text: Helvetica Bold 11 pt, 100% black; 

  Value of noise 

– 

– 

– 

Box: width: 25 mm, height: 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; 

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Tyre class reference: Helvetica Bold 7.5 pt, 100% black; 

c) The background must be white. 

1.5 

2. 

2.1 

The tyre class (C1, C2 or C3) must be indicated on the label in the format prescribed 
in the illustration section 1.2. 

Brand space 

Suppliers must add their name, the tyre line, tyre dimension, load index, speed rating 
and  other  technical  specification  on  the  sticker  along  with  the  label  in  any  colour, 
format and design, provided that the proportional size of brand space does not exceed 
a  4:5  ratio  against  the  size  of  the  label  and  the  message  published  along  with  the 
label does not disrupt the message of the label.  

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Annex III 
Information provided in technical 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 noise 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 are available for a given tyre type depending on dimension 
or  other  parameters,  the  range  between  the  least-  and  best-performing  tyre  is 
stated. 

3. 

Suppliers must also make available on their website: 

(i) 

an explanation of the pictograms 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  checked  for  higher  wet  grip  and  fuel 
efficiency performance characteristics; 

stopping distances should always be strictly respected. 

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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; according to the following procedure:  

(1) 

(2) 

a single tyre shall be tested first.  If  the measured value meets the  declared class or 
external rolling noise measured value, the test is passed;  

if  the  measured  value  does  not  meet  the  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.  

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