CELEX: 51976PC0712
Language: en
Date: 1976-12-23
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE APPROXIMATION OF THE LAWS OF THE MEMBER STATES RELATING TO TYRES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND THEIR TRAILERS

14. 2. 77                             Official Journal of the European Communities                                 N o C 37/1
                                                               II
                                                      (Preparatory Acts)
                                                COMMISSION
              Proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation to the laws of the Member
                                States relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers
                          (Submitted   by the Commission     to the Council on 31 December     1976)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,                            should be fitted       on   vehicles   but    also   their
                                                                    construction;
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the
European Economic Community, and in particular
Article 100 thereof,                                                Whereas, consequently, a common procedure for
                                                                    granting an EEC mark to any tyre type complying
                                                                    with the common construction and test requirements
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
                                                                    should 'be established; whereas, on the Community
                                                                    level, to ensure the free movement of tyres, the con-
Having regard      to the     opinion   of the    European          formity of the tyres with the common requirements
Parliament,                                                         is assumed by the affixing on eaah tyre of an EEC
                                                                    mark which has been granted to the manufacturer
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and                    in accordance with the abovementioned procedure;
Social Committee,                                                   whereas any Member State may, in order to check
                                                                    the conformity of the tyres with the common require-
Whereas the technical requirements which motor                      ments, carry out controls at any moment; whereas,
vehicles and their trailers must satisfy pursuant to                in the case of a statement of a non-conformity, the
national laws relate, inter alia, to tyres;                         Member States shall cake the necessary steps to
                                                                    ensure the conformity of the tyres with the require-
Whereas these requirements differ from one Member                   ments. These measures may result in the withdrawal
State to another; whereas it is therefore necessary                 of the albovementioned EEC mark.
that all Member States adopt the same requirements
either in addition t'o or in place of their existing
rules, in order to allow, in par..cular, the EEC type-              Whereas it is desirable to take into account the
approval procedure which was the subject of the                     technical requirements adopted by the UN Economic
Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970                     Commission for Europe in its Regulation N o 30
on the approximation of the laws of the Member                      ('Uniform Regulations for the approval of tyres of
States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles              motor vehicles and their trailers') (2), which is
and their trailers ('), to be introduced in respect of              annexed to the Agreement of 20 March 1958 con-
each type of vehicle;                                               cerning the adoption of uniform conditions for
Whereas rules on tyres should lay down common re-
quirements concerning not only how such tyres
                                                                    (2) Economic Commission for Europe document
                                                                        E/ECE/324                  .
                                                                                                         Add 29, 1. 4. 1975.
    OJ N o L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1.                                     E/ECE/TRANS/505 j e v '
 ---pagebreak---  N o C 37/2                                 Official J o u r n a l of the E u r o p e a n C o m m u n i t i e s                        14. 2. 77
 approval and reciprocal recognition of approval for                                                            Article 4
 m o t o r vehicle equipment and parts;
                                                                               T h e competent authorities of a M e m b e r State shall,
 Whereas the approximation of national laws relating
                                                                               within one m o n t h of issuing an (EEC m a r k , notify it
 to m o t o r vehicles entails reciprocal recognition by
                                                                               to other M e m b e r SDates using the f o r m shown in
 M e m b e r States off the checks carried out by each of
                                                                               Annex VII and, if requested, send the test report of
 them on the basis of the c o m m o n requirements,
                                                                               any type of tyre bearing the EEC mark.
 HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
                                                                                                                Article 5
                                Article 1
                                                                               1. T h e M e m b e r State which has granted the EEC
                                                                               mark shall take the measures required in o r d e r to
                                                                               verify t h a t p r o d u c t i o n models c o n f o r m to the
 For the p u r p o s e s of this Directive:
                                                                               requirements of this Directive, in so f a r as is
                                                                               necessary, if need foe in cooperation with the com-
— 'vehicle' means any m o t o r vehicle in category M i                        petent authorities in the other M e m b e r States. For
      (defined in Annex I to Council Directive 70/156/                         this purpose, this M e m b e r State may at any time
      EEC of 6 February 1970) designed for use on the                          control the conformity of the tyres to the require-
      road, having at least four wheels and a m a x i m u m                    ments of this Directive.
      design speed exceeding 25 k m / h ,
— ' m a n u f a c t u r e r ' means the hol der of      the trade              These controls are carried out by a test laboratory
      n a m e or m a r k of tyres,                                             approved by a M e m b e r State. T h e M e m b e r States
                                                                               may designate                manufacturers'   laboratories     as
— 'tyre' means any new radial of belted cross-ply                              approved test laboratories.
      tyre intended for vehicles designed 'for a maxi-
      m u m speed less or equal to 210 k m / h or any
      new cross-ply tyre intended for vehicles having                          2. If this M e m b e r State finds that a num'ber of tyres
      a m a x i m u m speed less or equal to 200 k m / h .                     do not c o n f o r m to the requirements of this Directive,
                                                                               it shall take the necessary measures to ensure t h a t
                                                                                production models c o n f o r m . W h e r e there is consistent
                                                                               failure to c o n f o r m , these measures may extent to a
                                Article 2                                      withdrawal of the EEC mark. T h e said authorities
                                                                               shall t a k e the same measures if they are informed by
                                                                               the competent authorities of another M e m b e r State
T h e M e m b e r States shaill grant, /under the conditions                   of a similar failure to conform.
of Annex I, for tyre types m a n u f a c t u r e d according
to the requirements of Annexes II t o VII of this
Directive an EEC mark conforming t o the model in                              3. T h e competent authorities of the M e m b e r States
Annex I.                                                                       shall within one m o n t h notify each other using the
                                                                               form shown in Annex VIII of any withdrawal of an
                                                                               EEC mark and of the reasons for such a measure.
                                                                               This notification shall also be m a d e to the
                                Article 3                                      Commission.
1. T h e m a n u f a c t u r e r shall mark on his tyres the
EEC mark laid d o w n in Article 2, certifying thereby                                                          Article 6
that they satisfy the requirements of this Directive.
                                                                               1. If, on the basis of a substantiated justification, a
2. M e m b e r       States shall take         all appropriate                 Member State considers that a tyre type is dangerous
measures to prevent the use of marks liable to create                          although complying with the requirements of this
confusion between tyres which satisfy the require-                             Directive, it may within its territory, provisionally
ments of this Directive and other devices.                                     prohibit the marketing of that product or subject it
 ---pagebreak--- 14. 2. 77                           Official Journal of the European Communities                            No C 37/3
to special conditions. It shall immediately inform the         grounds relating to its tyres if these bear the EEC
other Member States and the Commission thereof,                mark and are fitted in accordance with the require-
stating the grounds for its decision.                          ments laid down An Annex IX.
2. The Commission shall, wiithin six weeks, consult
the Member States concerned, following which it                                        Article 10
shaill deliver its opinion without delay and take the
appropriate steps.                                             Member States may not refuse or prohibit the sale,
                                                               registration, entry into service or use of any vehicle
3. If the Commission is of the opinion that technical          on grounds relating to its tyres if these bear the EEC
adaptations to the Directive are necessary, such               mark and are fitted in accordance with the require-
adaptations shall be adopted by either the                     ments laid down in Annex IX.
Commission or the Council in accordance with the
procedure laid down in Article 11. In this event, the
Member State which has adopted safeguard measures                                      Article 11
may maintain them until the entry into force of the
adaptations.                                                   Any amendment necessary to adjust the requirements
                                                               of the Annexes to take account of technical progress
                        Article 7
                                                               shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure
                                                               laid down in Article 13 of Directive 70/156/BEC.
Any decision taken pursuant to the provisions
adopted in implementation of this Directive, implying                                  Article 12
a prohibition of marketing or df use shall set out in
detail the reasons on whicfh it is based. Such decision
                                                               1. Member States s'haill adopt and publish the pro-
shall be notified to the party concerned, who shall
                                                               visions necessary in order to comply with this
at the same time be informed of the remedies
                                                               Directive before 1 July 1978 and shall forthwith in-
available to him under the laws in force in the Mem-
                                                               form the Commission thereof. They shall apply these
ber States and of the time limits allowed for the
                                                               provisions with effedt from 1 October 1979.
exercise of such remedies.
                                                               2. Once this Directive has 'been notified, the Mem-
                         Article 8                             ber States shall also ensure that the Commission is
                                                               informed, in sufficient time for it to submit its
Member States may not prohibit or restrict the                 comments, of any draft laws, regulations or adminis-
placing on the market of tyres bearing the EEC mark.           trative provisions which they propose to adopt in the
                                                               field covered (by this Directive.
                         Article 9
                                                                                       Article 13
Member States may not refuse to grant EEC type-
approval or national type-approval to a vehicle on             This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                        i
N o C 37/4                               Official Journal of the European Communities                                                14.2.77
                                                              List of Annexes
           Annex I             — Conditions for the issue of the EEC mark and EEC marking
           Annex II (*)        — Definitions, markings, specifications
           Annex III (*)       — Arrangement of tyre markings
           Annex IV (*)        — List of load capacity index symbols
           Annex V (*) — Method of measuring tyres
           Annex VI (*)        — Procedure for load/speed performance tests
           Annex VII           — Model for the notification of the issue or the refusal of an EEC mark for
                                    one or more tyre types
           Annex VIII           — Model for the statement that a tyre type bearing an EEC mark does not
                                    conform to the requirements of Directive 77/.. ./EEC
           Annex IX             — Conditions for the fitting of tyres to vehicles
           (*) The technical requirements of this Annex are similar to those of Regulation N o 30 of the Economic Commission for
               Europe. In particular, the breakdown into sections is the same. For this reason, where a section of Regulation N o 30
               has no counterpart in this Directive, its number is given in brackets for the record.
                                                                   ANNEX I
                         CONDITIONS FOR THE ISSUE OF THE EEC MARK AND MARKING
           1.                APPLICATION FOR EEC MARK
            1.1.             The application for an EEC mark for the tyre type or types satisfying the require-
                             ments of this Directive shall be submitted by the manufacturer or by his represen-
                             tative.
            1.2.             It shall specify the type or types of tyres which will bear the EEC mark. For
                             each tyre type the application shall further specify:
            1.2.1.           the tyre-size designation as defined in item 2.18. of Annex II;
            1.2.2.           the trade name or mark;
            1.2.3.           the space to contain the EEC mark as laid down in appendix 2 of this Annex;
            1.2.4.           the utilization category (road or snow);
            1.2.5.           the structure;
            1.2.6.           the speed category;
            1.2.7.           the load-capacity index of the tyre;
 ---pagebreak--- 14.2.77                    Official Journal of the European Communities                                 N o C 37/5
        1.2.8.  whether the tyre is to be used with or without an inner tube;
        1.2.9.  whether the tyre is 'normal' or 'reinforced';
        1.2.10. the ply-rating number of diagonal (bias-ply) tyres;
        1.2.11. the overall dimensions: measuring rim width, overall diameter, maximum section
                width, for tyre types already existing at the notification of this Directive. Over-
                all section width outer diameter and size factor for tyre types of specifically
                United States series established by the 'Tyre and Rim Association. T &c RA';
        1.2.12. the rims on which the tyre can be mounted;
        1.2.13. the measuring rim and test rim;
        1.2.14. inflation pressure for measurement;
        1.2.15. inflation pressure for testing according to items 1.2 and 1.3 of Annex VI;
        1.2.16. the value mentioned in item 2.21 of Annex II.
        1.3.    On request of the authorities responsible for the issue of the EEC mark, the
                manufacturer or his representative shall also submit:
        1.3.1.  a complete technical file for each tyre type containing in particular the test reports,
                drawing or photographs (three copies) of the side walls and of the thread of the
                tyre, as well as by a dimensioned sketch of the cross-section of the tyre on which
                at least the following measurements are indicated: overall section width, section
                height, outer diameter, nominal rim diameter, measuring rim width (see
                Appendix I);
        1.3.2.  two samples for each tyre type.
        2.      ISSUING OF EEC MARK
        2.1.    If the conditions relating to the issue of the EEC mark are satisfied, an EEC issue
                number will be granted.
        2.2.    The manufacturer or his representative may apply for the EEC mark to be
                extended to include modified tyre types or other tyre types.
        3.      EEC MARKING
                The EEC mark shall be made up of a rectangle, within which shall be placed
                 the letter 'e' in small type, followed by the identification number or letters of the
                country which has granted this mark.
                The numbers or letters of Member States are the following:
                     1 for  Germany,
                     2 for  France,
                     3 for  Italy,
                     4 for  Netherlands,
                     6 for  Belgium,
                    11 for  the United Kingdom,
                    13 for  Luxembourg,
                   DK  for  Denmark,
                  IRL  for  Ireland.
                 An asterisk shall be put between the letter 'e' and issuing number of the EEC
                 mark and between this number and the identification number or letters of the
                 Member State which has granted the EEC mark.
                 The rectangle forming the EEC mark shall have a minimum length of 48 mm and
                 a minimum height of 12 mm. Letters and number(s) shall have a minimum
                 height of 6 mm.
                 Examples of the EEC mark are given in Appendix 2.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 37/6          Official Journal of the European Communities          14. 2. 77
                                        Appendix   1
                                      (see item 1.3.1)
                                                                  Section
                                                                  height
                                 Measuring rim width
                                  Section width
            Outer
                                                                   Rim
           diameter                                              diameter
 ---pagebreak--- 14. 2. 77                     Official Journal of the European Communities                           N o C 37/7
                                                Appendix   2
                                         Examples of an EEC mark
                                                                             a > 48 mm (min.)
                           1
                                                                                         V
                           4r       e-479-IRL                                             a
                                                                                          8
                                                           a
                                     "A                                       Jt*~-
          Example 1: a     64 mm
                     The tyre bearing the EEC mark shown above is a tyre satisfying the EEC require-
                     ments (e), for which the EEC mark has been granted under the number (479)
                     in Ireland ORL).
                        J
                        T
                         a
                                     e « i 4 6 « i                                       i
                                                                                        1F
                         i•
                                                          a
          Example 2: a -- 64 mm
                     The tyre bearing the EEC mark shown above is a tyre satisfying the EEC require-
                     ments (e), for which the EEC mark has been granted under number (146) in
                     Germany (1).
          Note:      The numbers 479 and 146 (issuing numbers of the EEC mark and the number 1
                     and the letters IRL (number and letters of the Member States which have granted
                     the EEC mark) are for guidance only.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 37/8                             Official Journal of the European Communities                               14.2.77
                                                            ANNEX II
                                        DEFINITIONS, MARKINGS, SPECIFICATIONS
           (1)
           2.               DEFINITIONS
                            For the purposes of this Directive:
           2.1.             'type of pneumatic tyre' means a category of pneumatic tyres which do not differ
                            in such essential respects as:
           2.1.1.           trade name or mark;
           2.1.2.           tyre-size designation;
           2.1.3.           the utilization category (road or snow);
           2.1.4.           structure (diagonal (bias-ply), bias-belted, radial-ply);
           2.1.5.           speed category;
           2.1.6.           load-capacity index;
           2.1.7.           tyre transversal section;
           2.2.             'snow tyre' means a tyre whose tread pattern and structure, are specifically
                            designed to ensure additional adhesion in mud and fresh or melted snow. The
                            tread pattern consists mainly of groove rib and/or solid-block elements generally
                             more widely spaced than on ordinary road-type tyres;
           2.3.             'structure' of a pneumatic tyre means the technical characteristics of the tyre's
                            carcass. The following structures are distinguished in particular:
           2.3.1.            'diagonal' or 'bias-ply' describes a pneumatic-tyre structure in which the ply cords
                             extend to the bead and are laid at alternate angles of substantially less than 90°
                            to the centre line of the tread;
           2.3.2.           'bias-belted' describes a pneumatic-tyre structure of diagonal (bias-ply) type in
                            which the carcass is restricted by a belt comprising two or more layers of
                             substantially inextensible cord material laid at alternate angles smaller than those
                            of the carcass;
           2.3.3.            'radial-ply' describes a pneumatic-tyre structure in which the ply cords extend to
                             the bead and are laid at an angle of substantially 90° to the centre line of the
                            tread, the carcass being stabilized by a circumferential belt comprising two or
                            more layers of substantially inextensible cord material;
           2.3.4.            'reinforced' describes a pneumatic tyre structure in which the carcass is more
                             resistant than that of the corresponding normal tyre;
           2.4.              'bead' means the part of a pneumatic tyre which is of such shape and structure
                            as to fit the rim and maintain the tyre on it (*);
           2.5.             'cord' means the strands forming the fabric of the plies in the pneumatic tyre (*);
           2.6.             'ply' means a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords (*);
           2.7.             'carcass' means that part of a pneumatic tyre other than the tread and the rubber
                             side walls which, when inflated, bears the load (*);
           2.8.              'tread' means that part of a pneumatic tyre which comes into contact with the
                            ground, protects the carcass against mechanical damage and contributes to ground
                             adhesion (*);
           (l) See explanatory figure.
 ---pagebreak--- 14. 2. 77                               Official Journal of the European Communities                                        No C 37/9
           2.9.              'side wall' means the p a r t of a p n e u m a t i c tyre between the thread and the bead (');
           2.10.             'lower zone' means the part of a p n e u m a t i c tyre between the maximal section
                             of the tyre and the part which is covered by the rim trim;
           2.11.             'tread groove'       means the space between t w o adjacent ribs or blocks in the tread
                            pattern (');
           2.12.             'section width' means the linear distance between the outsides of the side walls
                             of an inflated pneumatic tyre, excluding elevations due to labelling (marking),
                             decoration or protective bands or ribs (*);
           2.13.             'overall width' means the linear distance between the outsides of the side walls
                             of an inflated pneumatic tyre, including labelling (marking), decoration and
                             protective bands or ribs (*);
           2.14.             'section height' means a distance equal to half the difference between the outer
                            diameter of the tyre and the nominal rim diameter;
           2.15.            'nominal    aspect ratio H ' means the centuple of the n u m b e r obtained by dividing
                            the n u m b e r expressing the height of the section in millimetres by the number
                             expressing the nominal section width in millimetres;
           2.16.             'outer diameter'      means the overall diameter of an inflated new pneumatic tyre (*);
           2.17.            'size factor' means the sum of the outer diameter of the tyre and the section
                            width, both measured on the measuring rim;
           2.18.            'tyre-size  designation'
          2.18.1.          means a designation showing:
           2.18.1.1.        the nominal section width (in mm);
          2.18.1.2.         the nominal aspect ratio; and
           2.18.1.3.         a conventional figure characterizing the nominal diameter of the rim and
                            equivalent to its diameter, expressed either in inches (figures below 100) or in
                            millimetres (figures over 100). T h e t w o figures may also appear together.
           2.18.2.          However, for tyre type already existing at the notifications of this Directive, the
                            designation may be the designation used at the m o m e n t of this notification.
          2.19.             'nominal rim diameter'        means the diameter of the rim on which a tyre is designed
                            to be m o u n t e d ;
          2.20.             Vim' means the support for a tyre-and-tube assemby, or for a tubeless tyre, on
                           which the tyre beads are seated (');
          2.21.            'theoretical rim' means the notional rim whose width would be equal to x times
                           the nominal section width of a tyre; the value 'x' must be justified by the
                           pneumatic tyre m a n u f a c t u r e r ;
          2.22.             'measuring     rim' means the rim on which a tyre must be fitted for measurements;
          2.23.            'test rim' means the rim on which a tyre must be fitted for testing;
          2.24.             'chunking'    means the breaking away of pieces of rubber f r o m the tread;
          2.25.            'cord separation'       means the parting of the cords f r o m their rubber coating;
          2.26.            'ply separation'       means the parting of adjacent plies;
          2.27.            'tread separation'       means the pulling away of the tread f r o m the carcass;
          2.28.            'tread-wear indicators' mean the projections within the tread-grooves and intended
                           for showing the tread-grooves wear;
          (*) See explanatory figure.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 37/10                      Official Journal of the European Communities                                        14. 2. 77
             2.29.    'load-capacity     index' means a digit associated with the m a x i m u m load which
                       a tyre can support at the m a x i m u m speed fixed f o r its category. T h e list of these
                       indices and of the corresponding m a x i m u m loads is given in Annex IV;
            2.30.     'speed category'     means:
             2.30.1.   in relation to an ordinary (road-type) tyre the category in which a tyre is classified
                      in conformity with the requirements specified by the m a n u f a c t u r e r f o r its use, it
                      can be fitted to a car which does not reach a speed higher than the m a x i m u m
                      speed prescribed for that category;
             2.30.2.   in relation to a snow tyre the speed category in which a snow tyre is classified
                      in terms of the m a x i m u m speed at which it can run;
            2.30.3.   the speed categories are as shown in the table below:
                          Symbol of the speed category           Maximum speed (km/h)
                                      L                                   120
                                      M                                   130
                                      N                                   140
                                      P                                   150
                                      Q                                   160
                                      R                                   170
                                      S                                   180
                                      T                                   190
                                      U                                  200
                                      H                                  210
            3.        MARKINGS
             3,1.     Tyres must bear, on both side walls in the case of symmetric tyres, and on the
                      external side wall in the case of asymetric tyres:
            3.1.1.   the trade n a m e or m a r k ;
            3.1.2.   the tyre-size designation as defined in item 2.18 of this Annex;
            3.1.3.    an indication of the structure as follows:
            3.1.3.1. on diagonal (bias-ply) tyres, no marking or the letter D;
            3.1.3.2. on radial-ply tyres, the letter ' R ' placed in f r o n t of the rim-diameter marking, a n d
                     if desired the w o r d 'RADIAL';
            3.1.3.3.  on bias-belted tyres, the letter 'B' placed in f r o n t of the rim-diameter marking,
                     and in addition the w o r d s 'BIAS-BELTED';
            3.1.4.   an indication of the tyre's speed category in which the tyre is classified in the
                     form of a symbol as shown in item 2.30.3;
            3.1.5.   the inscription M + S or M.S or M & S in the case of a snow tyre;
            3.1.6.   the load-capacity index as defined in item 2.29;
            3.1.7.   the w o r d 'TUBELESS'       if the tyre is designed for use w i t h o u t an inner tube;
            3.1.8.   the w o r d 'REINFORCED'          if the tyre is a reinforced tyre;
 ---pagebreak--- 14.2.77                       Official Journal of the European Communities                            N o C 37/11
        3.2.      Annex III gives an example of the arrangement of tyre markings.
        3.3.      The tyre shall also beat the EEC mark, the model of which is given in Appendix 2
                  of Annex I. This mark may be affixed only on one side wall. In the case of
                  asymetric tyres the mark shall be affixed on the external side wall.
        3.4.      The markings and the EEC mark referred to in item 3.1 and 3.3 shall be moulded
                  onto or into the tyres. They shall be clearly legible and situated on at least one
                  of the side walls in the low part of the tyre, except for the marking referred
                  to in item 3.1.1.
        (4)
        (5)
        6.        SPECIFICATIONS
        6.1.      Dimensions of tyres
        6.1.1.    Section width of a tyre
        6.1.1.1.  The section width shall be calculated by the following formula:
                                           S = Sx + K (A-AO,
                  where
                  S is the 'section width' expressed in millimetres and measured on the measuring
                       rim;
                  Sj is the 'nominal section width' (in millimetres) as shown on the side wall of the
                       tyre in the designation of the tyre as prescribed;
                  A is the width (expressed in millimetres) of the measuring rim, as shown by the
                       manufacturer in the descriptive note; and
                  Ax is the width (expressed in millimetres) of the theoretical rim.
                  The value of Ax shall be taken as being equal to the value of Sx multiplied by
                   the value of x as justified by the tyre manufacturer, and K shall be equal to 0 4.
        6.1.1.2.  However, for tyre types already existing at the notification of the Directive, the
                   section width shall be allowed to be that given by the manufacturer in conformity
                  to point 1.2.11 of Annex I.
        6.1.2.    Outer diameter of a tyre
        6.1.2.1.   The outer diameter of a tyre shall be calculated by the following formula:
                                         D = d + 0.02 (S, x Ra)
                  where
                   D is the outer diameter expressed in millimetres;
                   d    is the conventional figure mentioned previously in item 2.18.1.3, expressed
                       in mm;
                   Si is the nominal section width (in millimetres); and
                   Ra is the nominal aspect ratio,
                   all as shown on the side wall of the tyre designation in conformity with the
                   requirements of item 3.4.
         6.1.2.2.  However, tyre types already existing at the notification of the Directive, it is
                   accepted that the outer diameter shall be that given by the manufacturer in
                   conformity to item 1.2.11 of Annex I.
                   However, these provisions do not apply to the tyres for which, the maximum
                   outer diameter and a size factor is given in conformity to item 1.2.11 of Annex I.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 37/12                     Official Journal of the European Communities                               14.2.77
            6.1.3.     Method of measuring pneumatic tyres
                       The dimensions of pneumatic tyres shall be measured by the procedure described
                       in Annex VI.
            6.1.4.     Tyre section width specifications
            6.1.4.1.   The overall width of a tyre may be less than the section width determined
                       pursuant to item 6.1.1.
            6.1.4.2.   It may exceed that value by the following percentages:
            6.1.4.2.1. in diagonal (bias-ply) tyres: 6°/o;
            6.1.4.2.2. in radial-ply tyres: 4°/o.
            6.1.4.2.3. in addition, if the tyre has a special protective band, the figures as increased by
                       the above tolerances may be exceeded by 8 mm.
            6.1.4.2.4. For the tyres for which the maximum outer diameter and a size factor is given
                       in conformity to item 1.2.11 of Annex I, the tolerances quoted in items 6.1.4.2.1
                       and 6.1.4.2.2, are 7%, whatever the tyre structure.
            6.1.5.     Tyre outer-diameter specifications
            6.1.5.1.   The outer diameter of a tyre must not differ from the value determined pursuant
                       to item 6.1.2 by more than:
            6.1.5.1.1. ± 2% in the case of normal tyres;
            6.1.5.1.2. — 2% and -f 4% in the case of a snow tyre. These provisions shall not apply
                       to any tyre type for which the maximum outer diameter and a size factor are
                       given in conformity to item 1.2.11 of Annex I.
            6.2.       Load/speed performance test
            6.2.1.     The pneumatic tyre shall undergo a load/speed performance test carried out by
                       the procedure described in Annex VII.
            6.2.2.      A tyre which after undergoing the load/speed test does not exhibit any tread
                        separation, ply separation, cord separation, chunking or broken cords shall be
                        deemed to have passed the test.
            6.2.3.      The outer diameter of the tyre, measured six hours after the load/speed
                        performance test, must not differ by more than ± 3-5% from the outer diameter
                        as measured before the test.
            6.3.       Tread-wear indicators
            6.3.1.      The tread of the pneumatic tyre shall include not less than six approximately
                        equally-spaced transverse rows of wear indicators, and situated on the middle
                        part of the tread which is equal to three-quarters of its width. It must not be
                        possible to confuse these projections with the join mouldings which can exist
                        between the ribs or blocks of the tread.
            6.3.2.      However, in the case of tyres of dimensions appropriate for mounting on rims
                        of a nominal diameter of 12 or less, four rows of tread-wear indicators shall
                        be accepted.
            6.3.3.      The wear indicators give visual warning when the depth of the corresponding
                        tread-grooves has been reduced to 16 mm (± 15°).
             (7)
             (8)
             (9)
             (10)
             (11)
 ---pagebreak---     14. 2. 77           Official Journal of the European Communities      N o C 37/13
                                        Explanatory figure
                                     (see item 2 of Annex II)
                        Tread                      Tread grooves
                                                                            Cord
               Carcass
              Side wall
 Outer
diameter
                                                                         Bead
                                                                     Rim
                                          section width
                                          overall width
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 37/14                           Official Journal of the European Communities                              14. 2 . 7 7
                                                             ANNEX III
                                          ARRANGEMENT OF TYRE MARKINGS
                    Example of the markings to be borne by tyres placed on the market after the notification
                                                      of this Directive
               A                                   JL    _L                      JL
              b |     185/70       R 14     89/T   I b I c TUBELESS M + S         I c
               T                                   t     t                        t
                                                   JL
                                            253    | c                                       b        6 mm
                                                                                             c   IV    3
                                                   T                                                   3
              These markings define a pneumatic tyre:
              — having a nominal section width of 185,
              — having a nominal aspect ratio of 70,
              — of radial-ply structure (R),
              — having a nominal rim diameter for which the symbol is 14,
              — having a load capacity of 580 kg, corresponding to load index 89 in Annex IV,
              — classified in the speed category T (maximum speed 190 km/h),
              — for fitting without an inner tube ('tubeless'),
              — of 'snow' type,
              — manufactured during the 25th week of the year 19.3.
              The positioning and order of the markings constituting the tyre designation shall be the
              following:
              (a) the size designation, comprising the nominal section width, the nominal aspect ratio, the
                  speed-category symbol, the type-of-structure symbol (where applicable) and the nominal
                  rim diameter, shall be grouped as shown in the above example: 185/70 R 14;
              (b) the load index and the symbol of the speed category shall be placed near the size desig-
                  nation. It may either precede or follow it or be placed above or below it;
              (c) the symbols 'tubeless', 'reinforced', and 'M + S' may be at a distance from the size-desig-
                  nation symbol.
 ---pagebreak---              Official Journal of the European Communities                         No C 37/15
                                   ANNEX IV
           LIST OF LOAD-CAPACITY-INDEX SYMBOLS
      Maximum load corresponding to                             Maximum load corresponding to
      the maximum speed fixed by the        Load-capacity index the maximum speed fixed by the
icity category of type (mass expressed                          category of type (mass expressed
                   in kg)                                                    in kg)
   0                  45-                            55                        218
   1                  46-2                           56                        224
   2                  47-5                           57                        230
   3                  487                            58                        236
   4                  50                             59                        243
   5                  51 5                           60                        250
   6                  53                             61                        257
   7                  545                            62                        265
   8                  56                             63                        272
   9                  58                             64                        280
 10                   60                             65                        290
 11                   61 5                           66                        300
 12                   63                             67                        307
 13                   65                             68                        315
 14                   67                             69                        325
 15                   69                             70                        335
 16                   71                             71                        345
 17                   73                             72                        355
 18                   75                             73                        365
 19                   77-5                           74                        375
 20                   80                             75                        387
 21                   825                            76                        400
 22                   85                             77                        412
 23                   87-5                           78                        425
 24                   90                             79                        437
 25                   925                            80                        450
 26                   95                             81                        462
 27                   975                            82                        475
 28                  100                             83                        487
 29                  103                             84                        500
 30                  106                             85                        515
 31                  109                             86                        530
 32                  112                             87                        545
 33                  115                             88                        560
 34                  118                             89                        580
 35                  121                             90                        600
 36                  125                             91                        615
 37                  128                             92                        630
 38                  132                             93                        650
 39                  136                             94                        670
 40                  140                             95                        690
 41                  145                             96                        710
 42                  150                             97                        730
 43                  155                             98                        750
 44                  160                             99                        775
 45                  165                            100                        800
 46                  170                            101                        825
 47                  175                            102                        850
 48                  180                            103                        875
 49                  185                            104                        900
 50                  190                            105                        925
 51                  195                            106                        950
 52                  200                            107                        975
 53                  206                            108                     1 000
 54                  212                            109                     1 030
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 37/16                          Official Journal of the European Communities                                 14.2.77
                              Maximum load corresponding to                                  Maximum load corresponding to
                              the maximum speed fixed by the                                 the maximum speed fixed by the
      Load-capacity index     category of type (mass expressed         Load-capacity index   category of type (mass expressed
                                           in kg)                                                         in kg)
             110                          1 060                               116                        1250
             111                          1090                                117                        1285
             112                          1 120                                118                       1320
             113                          1 150                                119                       1 360
             114                          1 180                               120                        1400
             115                          1 215
              The formula giving the maximum load corresponding to the value LI = n is as follows:
                                                  (7-r
                                             45 I t /   10 I = 4 5 X (10292)"
 ---pagebreak--- 14. 2 . 7 7                   Official Journal of the European Communities                        N o C 37/17
                                                  ANNEX V
                            METHOD OF MEASURING PNEUMATIC TYRES
            1.1.   The tyre is mounted on the measuring rim specified by the manufacturer and is
                   inflated to a pressure of 3 to 3-5 bars.
            1.2.   The pressure in the tyre is then reduced as follows:
            1.2.1. in bias — belted tyres to 17 bars;
            1.2.2. in diagonal (bias-ply) tyres to:
                                                                    Pressure (bars)
                           Ply-rating                                Speed category
                                                   L, M, N             P, Q, R, S   T, U, H
                               4                      1-7                 2-0
                               6                     2-1                  2-4         2-6
                               8                     2*5                  2-8         3-0
            1.2.3. in normal radial tyres to 1.8 bar and
            1.2.4. in reinforced radial tyres to 2.3 bars.
            2.     The tyre, mounted on its rim, is conditioned at the ambient room temperature
                   for not less than 24 hours, with the exception referred to in intern 6.2.3 of
                   Annex II.
            3.     The pressure is readjusted to that specified in item 1.2.
            4.     The overall width is measured by caliper at six equally-spaced points, account
                    being taken of the thickness of the protective ribs or bands. The highest
                   measurements so obtained is taken as the overall width. The outer diameter is
                   determined by measuring the maximum circumference and dividing the figure
                   so obtained by TZ (3-1416).
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 37/18                        Official Journal of the European Communities                                   14. 2.77
                                                              ANNEX     VI
                         PROCEDURE FOR LOAD/SPEED PERFORMANCE TESTS
            1.      PREPARING THE TYRE
            1.1.    A new tyre is mounted on the test rim specified by the manufacturer.
            1.2.    It is inflated to the appropriate pressure as given in the table below:
                                                        Test pressure (bars)
                                                    Diagonal (bias-ply)                               Bias-belted
                                                                                  Radial tyres
                                                           tyres                                         tyres
                        Speed
                       category
                                                        Ply-rating
                                                                             Normal       Reinforced Normal and
                                              4              6           8                            reinforced
                    L, M, N                  2-3           2-7          3-0    i—             —           —
                    p, Q, R, s               26            3-0          33    2-6            3-0          2-6
                    T, U, H                  2-8           32           3-5   2-8            3-2          2-8
                    The abovementioned pressures shall be respected for test wheels with a diameter
                    of 2 m. For test wheels with a diameter of 1 70 m the pressure value shall
                    b e i n c r e a s e d b y 5" n.
            1.3.    The manufacturer may request, giving reasons, the use of inflation pressure
                    differing from those given under item 1.2. In such a case the tyre shall be inflated
                    to that pressure.
            1.4.    The tyre-and-wheel assembly is conditioned at test-room temperature for not
                    less than three hours.
            1.5.    The tyre pressure is readjusted to that specified in item 1.2 or 1.3.
            2.      CARRYING OUT THE TEST
            2.1.    The tyre-and-wheel assembly is mounted on a test axle and pressed against the
                    outer face of a flat-faced test wheel 1-70 m to 2 m in diameter.
            2.2.    A load equal to 80% of the tyre's load capacity, as shown, in the list in
                    Annex IV, opposite the load index given on the side wall of the tyre, is applied
                    to an axle.
            2.3.    Throughout the test the tyre pressure must not be corrected and the test load
                    must be kept constant.
            2.4.    During the test the temperature in the test-room must be maintained at between
                    20 0 and 30 °.
            2.5.    The test is carried out without interruption in conformity with the following
                    particulars:
             2.5.1.  Time taken to pass from zero speed to initial test speed: 10 minutes.
            2.5.2.  Initial test speed: prescribed maximum speed for the type of tyre, less 40 km/h.
            2.5.3.  Successive speed increments: 10 km/h.
             2.5.4.  Duration of test at each speed step except the last: 10 minutes.
             2.5.5.  Duration of test at last speed step: 20 minutes.
            2.5.6.   Maximum test speed: prescribed maximum speed for the type of tyre.
             3.     EQUIVALENT TEST METHODS
                     If a method other than that described in item 2 above is used, its equivalence
                     must be demonstrated.
 ---pagebreak--- 14. 2. 77                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                   No C 37/19
                                                                 ANNEX        VII
                                              ( M a x i m u m f o r m a t A 4 ( 2 1 0 x 2 9 7 mm)).
                                                                                             N a m e of the competent
                                                                                                      authority
          MODEL FOR THE NOTIFICATION OF THE ISSUE OR THE REFUSAL OF A N EEC MARK
                                               FOR O N E OR MORE TYRE TYPES
          N u m b e r of EEC mark                                           (       extension) (')
             1.  T r a d e name or mark of the tyre
            2.   Manufacturer's name and address
            3.   If applicable, name and address of manufacturer's representative
            4.   Request for EEC mark made on
            5.   Where applicable, the technical service and test laboratory approved for purposes of veri-
                 fication of conformity
            6.   If applicable, the date of report issued by that service
            7.   If applicable, the number of report issued by that service
            8.   List of tyre types for which the EEC mark has been issued/refused (2)
            9.   EEC mark has been granted/refused (2)
          10.    Place
          11.    Date
          12.    Signature
          The following documents are annexed to this notifications ( 3 ):
          (1) State, when appropriate, whether first, second etc. extension of an EEC mark.
          (a) Delete items not applicable.                                           v
          (2) T o be completed, if necessary.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 37/20                        Official Journal of the European C o m m u n i t i e s             14. 2. 7 7
                                                    ANNEX       Vlll
                                       (Maximum f o r m a t : A 4 (210 x 2 9 7 mm))
                                                                              N a m e of competent
                                                                                     authority
            MODEL FOR THE STATEMENT T H A T A TYRE TYPE BEARING AN EEC MARK DOES
                   N O T C O N F O R M T O THE REQUIREMENTS OF DIRECTIVE 7 7 / . . . / E E C
             1. Trade name or mark of the tyre
             2. Manufacturer's name and address
             3. If applicable, name and address of manufacturer's representative
             4. Number of EEC mark
             5. Marking on the tyre
             6. The manufacturer has been obliged to withdraw from circulation the tyres which do not
                conform
             7. The EEC mark has been withdrawn for this tyre type on
             8. Reasons for this measure
             9. Place
            10. Date
            11. Signature
 ---pagebreak--- 14. 2. 77                          Official Journal of the European Communities                           N o C 37/21
                                                      ANNEX IX
                    CONDITIONS RELATING T O THE FITTING OF TYRES T O VEHICLES
          Vehicle tyres must meet the following requirements:
          1.            All of the tyres fitted to a vehicle must be identical as far as the provisions
                        of paragraphs 2.1.3 to 2.1.5 of Annex II are concerned. In addition, tyres on the
                        same axis must be of the same type within the meaning of Annex II, item 2.1.
          2.            The load capacity as defined in Annex II, 2.29 must be:
          2.1.          in the case of tyres of the same type being fitted to the vehicle:
          2.1.1.        at least equal to half of the maximum technically permissible weight for the
                        most heavily-loaded axle, as declared by the vehicle manufacturer;
          2.1.2.        however, in the case of axles fitted with twin tyres, the load capacity must be
                        at least equal to 1-27 times the maximum technically permissible weight for the
                        most heavily-loaded axle, as declared by the vehicle manufacturer.
          2.2.          at least equal to half of the maximum technically permissible weight for the
                        axle under consideration, as declared by the vehicule manufacturer, in the case
                        of tyres of two different dimensions being fitted to the vehicle.
          3.            For on-highway tyres, the maximum speed, as defined in Annex II, item 2.30
                        must be at least equal to the maximum design speed of the vehicle.
          4.            The tyre fitted to the spare wheel of a vehicle must be identical to one of the
                        tyres fitted to the vehicle.