Basic Information on the New Tyre Labelling Regulation EU / 1222 / 2009 of 1 November 2012

The goal is to improve safety along with the economic and ecological efficiency of road traffic by promoting fuel-efficient and safe tyres with a low rolling noise level. The regulation is intended to help the end user to make a conscious choice when buying tyres by including aspects of this regulation in the decision to purchase along with the usual factors. To this end, the regulation stipulates that it is obligatory to provide information on the energy efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise of tyres in relation to:

• The effects on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle in connection with the rolling resistance of the tyre
• The effects on driving safety in connection with the wet grip properties of the tyre
• The external noise level of the tyre (measured in decibels) 

This information must be provided for the tyres of passenger cars, as well as light and heavy commercial vehicles. The label is intended to enable consumers to obtain information on a broader basis before purchasing new tyres and include these criteria with those of other tyre tests in their decision to buy. The labelling regulation applies from 1 November 2012 for all tyres produced after 30 June 2012.

Consumers must be aware, however, that actual fuel consumption and safety on the roads depend heavily on their style of driving. An ecological driving style can significantly reduce fuel consumption. The prescribed tyre pressures should be complied with and checked regularly in order to achieve optimum fuel efficiency and wet grip. A safe braking distance should be kept under all circumstances. It should be noted that the new EU tyre label contains no information whatsoever on the actual winter performance of winter tyres. Specific tyre tests in well-known automotive magazines still offer the most help in this regard.

Please also check: <link http: ec.europa.eu energy efficiency tyres labelling_en.htm>ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/tyres/labelling_en.htm

Labelling requirements from 1 November 2012 for all tyres produced after 30 June 2012:

Labelling requirements of Marshal tyres:

• They must state the wet grip properties, fuel efficiency class and external rolling noise of tyres that deviate from the tyre type normally fitted on the basic vehicle.
• As soon as the customer is offered a choice with regard to the tyre size or type to be fitted on the standard rim, or the customer has a choice with regard to the rim and tyre size, the labelling details must be imparted prior to making the sale. Only in the event that the rims and/or tyres offered as an alternative have exactly the same properties as those provided as standard equipment with the new vehicle is there no obligation to provide the labelling information anew.

Labelling requirements of the tyre dealer (retailer) prior to sale:

• It must be ensured that wherever possible the tyres visible to customers at the POS have a label attached to them or that an information leaflet is on hand in the immediate vicinity which can be shown to the end user prior to purchasing.
• The information on the fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise classes must also be available during sales procedures in which the tyres offered for sale cannot be shown to the customer. This information must also be provided on or with the invoice.

Labelling requirements of the vehicle supplier and vehicle dealer:

• They must state the wet grip properties, fuel efficiency class and external rolling noise of tyres that deviate from the tyre type normally fitted on the basic vehicle.
• As soon as the customer is offered a choice with regard to the tyre size or type to be fitted on the standard rim, or the customer has a choice with regard to the rim and tyre size, the labelling details must be imparted prior to making the sale. Only in the event that the rims and/or tyres offered as an alternative have exactly the same properties as those provided as standard equipment with the new vehicle is there no obligation to provide the labelling information anew.

Which criteria are assessed by the new EU tyre label?

Consumers must be aware that, although important, the three legally embedded criteria are not the only performance characteristics for tyres

For this reason, the tyre tests in conventional (German) automotive magazines, such as ADAC MOTORWELT, AUTO BILD, AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT and AUTO ZEITUNG, continue to be of great importance for assessing the performance capability of a tyre!

Here is an overview showing you which criteria are recorded under which conditions:

Test Criteria	Tyre label	Tyre tests
Dry road surface
Driving stability
Handling
Braking
Wet road surface
Braking
Driving stability
Handling
Aquaplaning
Directional control
Tyre noise
Inside
Outside
Rolling resistance
Tyre wear
Tyre noise
PAH in tyres
Fast running test

Which tyres are affected by the regulation?

Class C1: Tyres for passenger cars

Class C2: Tyres for light trucks in accordance with ECE-R 54 which are marked with
a) a load capacity index in single formation of ≤ 121 and
b) the speed category symbol ≥ N

Class C3: Tyres for trucks in accordance with ECE-R 54 which are marked with
a) a load capacity index in single formation of ≤ 122 or
b) a load capacity index in single formation of ≤ 121 and
the speed category symbol ≤ M.

Winter tyres
Rolling resistance, wet grip and rolling noise are also the tested criteria for winter tyres. No additional criteria specific to winter tyres, e.g. snow grip or braking on ice, is taken into account. A discussion is currently being held within the responsible EU committees about the special labelling of winter tyres.

This regulation does not apply to:
Motorcycle tyres · re-treaded tyres · off-road professional tyres · tyres designed to be fitted only to vehicles registered for the first time before 1 October 1990 · T-type temporary use spare tyres · tyres with a speed rating less than 80 km/h · tyres for a nominal rim diameter ≤ 254 mm (10˝) or ≥ 635 mm (25˝) · tyres fitted with additional devices to improve traction, e.g. studded tyres · racing tyres

When is Marshal planning to label tyres?

EU regulation 1222/2009 prescribes labelling from 1 November 2012 for all tyres produced after 30 June 2012 for passenger cars, as well as light and heavy commercial vehicles. Labelling is possible from 30 May 2012. Marshal will apply the appropriate marking and labelling to all tyres produced after 30 June 2012.

Can I as a dealer sell Marshal tyres from my stores after 1 November 2012 without labelling information?

Only Marshal tyres in storage that were produced before July 2012 (tyres with a production code (DOT) earlier than 2712 – 27th week of 2012) can be sold without labelling after 1 November 2012. You should ensure that the labelling information is available for all other tyres in storage sold after 1 November 2012 that were produced from July 2012. The corresponding EU tyre label information can be accessed online in advance at <link http: www.marshal-eu-tyre-label.eu en our-tyres.html>www.marshal-eu-tyre-label.eu/en/our-tyres.html for all Marshal tyres. In addition to this, some tyres are excluded from the regulation and can be sold without labelling.