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NEW EU TYRE LABEL INFORMATION

1st May 2021


The European Union has expressed its commitment to building an Energy Union with a forward‐looking climate policy. Fuel efficiency is a crucial element of that and the associated energy policy framework.

The transport sector reportedly accounts for a third of the Union’s energy consumption, with road transport being responsible for about 22 % of the Union’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2015.

Tyres, mainly because of their rolling resistance, account for 20 to 30 % of the fuel consumption of vehicles. A reduction in the rolling resistance of tyres would therefore contribute significantly to the fuel efficiency of road transport and thus to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

In order to meet the challenge of reducing the CO2 emissions of road transport, Member States, in cooperation with the Commission, are working to create frameworks that encourage innovation with regard to fuel‐efficient and safe tyres.

Improving the labelling of tyres will enable consumers to obtain more relevant and more comparable information on fuel efficiency, safety and noise and to take cost‐effective and environmentally friendly decisions when purchasing tyres.

From Saturday 1st May 2021, a new label will be applied to all new tyres to be made available in the European Union from that date onwards. The label has updated grading for Fuel Efficiency, Wet Grip (stopping distance on a wet surface) and tyre rolling sound emission.

Below is an example of how the new EU label will look for our Avon brand:


        


What does the label mean?


FUEL EFFICIENCY (Rolling Resistance)

5 classes from E (least efficient) to A (most efficient)

Effect may vary among vehicles and driving conditions, but the difference between a E and an A class for a complete set of tyres could reduce fuel consumption by up to 7.5 %* and even more in case of trucks.


Note: fuel savings and road safety depend heavily on the behavior of drivers and eco‐driving can significantly reduce fuel consumption.


WET GRIP (Braking Performance)

5 classes from E (longest braking distances) to A (shortest braking distances)

Effect may vary among vehicles and driving conditions, but in the case of full braking, the difference between a E and an A class for a set of four identical tyres could be up to 30% shorter braking distance (e.g. for a typical passenger car driving at 80 km/h speed this could be up to 18m shorter braking distance)*.


Note: stopping distances must always be respected.

NOISE (Exterior Rolling Noise)

In addition to the noise value in Decibel dB(A) a letter (from A to C) displays whether the tyre external rolling noise performance is above the United Nation Reg 117 mandatory limit value
(Class C = noisier tyre), the tyre noise is higher than the UN limit
(Class B = average tyre) or more than 3 dB below the limit value
(Class A = low noise tyre).
NB: The tyre external rolling noise is not entirely correlated to vehicle interior noise.


In addition to the Fuel Efficiency (Rolling Resistance), Wet Grip and tyre rolling sound emission, the label will also display if the tyre is suitable for Snow and Ice use via the following graphics:

             

SNOW         ICE


The new Label will also feature a QR Code that can take users to the EPREL Database (European Product Database for Energy Labelling). Scanning the QR code will allow consumers to access the information of each specific tyre. As well as accessing the label, it will also be possible to see a Product Information Sheet which gives details of the tyre’s Range/Size/Load and Speed, along with its label grades. An example of this Product Information Sheet is set out below:

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the label?

The EU Tyre Label can be found on all applicable tyres sold in the EU market.  As well as the physical tyre label, all of our tyres that are within the scope of the new labelling regulation are registered on the EPREL (European Product Database for Energy Labelling) Database.

What is the tyre label?

A tyre label provides specific information regarding tyre performance for Fuel Efficiency, Wet Grip, Exterior Noise, Snow and Ice Performance (if applicable).

Do all Products require a label?

Some of our tyres are not within the scope of the new labelling regulation. For example, POR (Professional Off Road) or tyres designed to be fitted only on vehicles registered for the first time before 1 October 1990, are exempt.

Why do we have labels?

The tyre label is a requirement from the European Commission to provide information about the product performance so that products can be readily compared between manufactures. The goal is to encourage safer, more fuel efficient and quieter products.

How do I recognise a new label?

The most obvious difference is that the new tyre label will have a QR Code, and the addition of the Snow and Ice graphic (if applicable)

When is the new label coming into force?

The new label will come into force on Saturday 1st May 2021 and will apply to all relevant tyres made available within the EU market from that date. It will not apply to tyres made available within the EU market prior to Saturday 1st May 2021 or where the tyres are exempt from labelling requirements.

Where can I find the new label?

You will be able to find the new label for each product via the Avon website, on the EPREL Database and on the tyres themselves. Your local dealer should also be able to present it to you.  

What do the label classes mean?

Fuel Efficiency, Wet Grip (stopping distance on a wet surface) and tyre rolling sound emission.

The label grading goes from A to E (where A is awarded for the best graded performance).

Will old labelled tyres still be available for purchase after 1st May 2021?

Yes. Tyres made available to the EU market before Saturday 1st May 2021 may physically reach the market after this date and, as such, will still have the old label. However, the tyres will be compliant with the applicable labelling obligations and, in most cases, will be physically unchanged.

Will you re-label existing stocks of tyres?

No. We are taking steps to ensure that our inventory of tyres is made available within the EU market prior to Saturday 1st May 2021, meaning that they are able to be sold with the existing label in place. This will not affect the way you do business with us, nor the availability of tyres.