New EU tyre labelling poses challenges to tyre manufacturers

A directive in the European Union that requires franchised dealers to display the new label on all replacement tyres they sell, and for their service advisers to be able to explain the label information to customers took effect on November 1, 2012. This new guideline is seen as a major challenge to tyre manufacturers who must meet the highest standards in fuel efficiency and safety in order to become more competitive.

Under the new rules, fuel efficiency (rolling resistance) and safety (wet grip) are categorised using a seven grade ranking scale, with a coloured band similar to the new car CO2 labels. According to the Tyre Industry Federation, a top-ranked A-grade tyre could out-perform the lowest-ranked G-grade tyre by 30% for safety and 7.5% for fuel efficiency. This translates to a vehicle stopping three to four car lengths shorter from 50mph and an average fuel cost saving of around ￡100.

With the labelling requirement, the information provided would enable tyre dealers to explain the costs involved in choosing or fitting more expensive tyres. It will also give dealers a chance to remind customers about maintaining correct tyre pressures and regularly checking tread depth.

The tyre label will apply to car and sports utility vehicle (SUV) tyres, van tyres and truck tyres but not to re-treaded tyres, off-road tyres, spare tyres or vintage car tyres.

The Deparment for Transport (DfT) has not yet announced which agency will enforce tyre labelling or what the penalties will be for non-compliance. Franchised dealers and garages subscribed to the OFT-backed Motor Codes garage scheme have been briefed with the latest information to provide advice to motorists on the new tyre labelling legislation. Tyre wholesalers have also been pre-paring their retail partners and attempting to engage consumers directly through digital marketing.