|
|
New tyre labelling will highlight safety
publication date: Jan 25, 2012
|
author/source: Robin Roberts
November 2012 will see the introduction of a standardised tyre label by
the European Union.
The goal of the EU Tyre Label is to promote low emissions
and better road safety, with standardised information focusing on three key
criteria: fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise.
Intended to give consumers essential information to help them when
choosing new tyres, the EU Label will be given values from A-G, excluding D to
avoid an average performing tyre.
Wet braking will be a crucial element highlighted on the EU Label.
Vehicles with tyres from Class A stop in the shortest distance from 50mph,
whilst tyres from Class B take an additional 3-6 metres.
This trend continues
for the subsequent values and results in an increase in braking distance of
over 18 metres from a vehicle in Class A to Class F. It is key that this
crucial safety value appears on the label to enable the motorist to have a
fuller picture of the tyres performance. |  | A label that only highlighted rolling
resistance and noise could give a false impression of the tyres performance.
For wet braking Categories D and G are not used so any tyre with longer
stopping distances in the wet will be rated as E or F.
Rolling resistance of a tyre is a contributory factor when saving fuel,
for this reason it features alongside the wet braking value. For example, a
tyre from Class C will use 1 litre more fuel than that of a tyre from Class B
over a journey of 625 miles. Such values are intended to aid consumers in
purchasing tyres for their individual requirements.
Another environmental
factor, noise level, will also be highlighted on the label showing the actual
noise rating in decibels and one, two or three black bars with three being the
loudest category. Car tyres must reach the minimum EU noise levels which
range from 72 to 76 dB(A) depending on tyre width.
The tyre manufacturer will be obliged to provide a sticker on or with
all tyres, which retailers must display in a clearly visible position to the
end user. The vehicle manufacturer must also provide label values to consumers
in case a choice of different tyres can be made on a new vehicle.
The regulation is intended to help consumers make better decisions when
buying tyres but it still only covers three of the performance criteria that a
tyre needs. For a more complete picture of how their tyres will perform out on
the road, consumers can also refer to independent tyre tests in leading UK
magazines which also take into account criteria such as aquaplaning, wet
handling and performance on dry roads.
All tyres produced after 1 July 2012 will need to have a
label value which must be shown to consumers after 1 November 2012,
although tyre manufacturers can begin to label earlier on a voluntary basis.
Enforcement will rest with each individual EU member state, with penalties
being imposed for infringements. The UK Government is yet to announce who this
enforcement body will be.
With
a long history as a strong advocate for tyre safety, Continental fully supports
this introduction and the standardised information it will provide to
consumers. |
Download the Wheels Within Wales toolbar for your quickest way to keep in touch with everything that's happening on Welsh roads and in showrooms or use our RSS feed for the headlines you will not want to miss
|
|
|
.gif){kind=small}