New EU tyre laws???

[jay2578]

Anybody seen the news on the AOL homepage regarding new laws on tyres? Ratings etc.

[ben-dent]

no!!!! do fill me in, as i have not seen any and i am a tyre fitter????

[Saffy]

http://uk.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/are-you-and-your-tyres-ready-for-2012/

From November 2012, a new law from the EU compels all new tyres sold to carry information that grades wet braking, rolling resistance and noise levels, using a picture system similar to that already used when buying electrical equipment such as fridges.

[jay2578]

Heres what it says- From november 2012 a new law from the EU compels all new tyres sold to carry information that grades wet braking, rolling resistance and noise levels, using a picture system similar to that already used when buying an electrical appliance such as fridges.
 Blah Blah....
Why is this such a big deal? Well with the grading system comes higher standards that could mean many tyres currently on sale at the bottom end of the market, particularly those from China, could become illegal overnight.

There is more, but you get the jist!

[Llanigraham]

Fine, not a problem, we are getting some useful information, which 75% of drivers wont bother about.
What's the problem?

[ben-dent]

that is regulation for the manufacturer of the tyres to worry about, who else will give a [edit]

[Tommo]

I suppose it is possible that many mud type tyres could perform so poorly when tested that they are deemed unsafe? We all know the difference off road tyres make and when compared with road pattern tyres I bet the results look horrific on paper.

[Drift]

Dont all tyres sold in the UK have to be EU rated anyway?  :?

[jay2578]

that is regulation for the manufacturer of the tyres to worry about, who else will give a [edit]

Well you let me know when you go buy new tyres under the new system, pay the extra that they`re going to cost, and whether you still don`t give a Crap!
 Also, when/if this law comes into force your current tyres will become illegal overnight

[Llanigraham]

Also, when/if this law comes into force your current tyres will become illegal overnight

Don't talk utter rubbish!! This is not and cannot be a retrospective Law. Read what it says:

From November 2012, a new law from the EU compels all new tyres sold to carry information that grades wet braking, rolling resistance and noise levels, using a picture system similar to that already used when buying electrical equipment such as fridges.

Tyre manufacturers will have to ensure the information is supplied with every new tyre that leaves the factory while retailers will also have to make sure the customer is shown the information before sale.

It mentions nothing about tyres currently fitted to your vehicle, so stop scaremongering!

[jay2578]

If you read the article fully you will see the statement "your current tyres could become illegal overnight".... Perhaps you should understand/research what you are commenting on before accusing people of talking rubbish

[Saffy]

If you read the article fully you will see the statement "your current tyres could become illegal overnight".... Perhaps you should understand/research what you are commenting on before accusing people of talking rubbish

No need for arguments over stupid thing, this is not LRUK.net forum.
Maybe it means your current tyre brand and model of tyre could be made illegal and if you wish to purchase the same again may find its no longer on the market because of this legislation.
There is not much legislation made that is retrospective, especially in motoring (e.g sealbelt laws, emission laws etc did not effect the vehicles made before).  I do wonder if there is an impact of the commercial 2nd hand market though.

[Jas278]

SPEAK   to Bronco , they are EXPERTS ( so they told me ) on tyre legislation , that's why the Grizzly claws they sold me still had a "e " number on them .. :^o [-X :oops:         :lol:

[Llanigraham]

Complete article:

Are you and your tyres ready for 2012?
Posted 16th Jul 2010 by David Hobbs

The countdown to 2012 is well underway but who is actually ready for it?

No, we're not talking Olympics but an event that will still affect many people in the UK, particularly those with a keen interest in rubber.

From November 2012, a new law from the EU compels all new tyres sold to carry information that grades wet braking, rolling resistance and noise levels, using a picture system similar to that already used when buying electrical equipment such as fridges.

Tyre manufacturers will have to ensure the information is supplied with every new tyre that leaves the factory while retailers will also have to make sure the customer is shown the information before sale.

So, why is this such a big deal? Well, with the new grading system comes higher standards that could mean many tyres currently on sale and at the bottom end of the market, particularly those from China, will become illegal overnight. Upgrading tyres will inevitably cost the consumer money initially although in the long run, cash might be saved.
 
Companies such as Continental and Bridgestone and retailers are already raising awareness but many consumers are unaware of the impact that different tyres can have on fuel bills as well as the environment. With the new labelling system it is expected that the use of more fuel efficient rubber will increase considerably; that in itself will be a major contributory factor in reducing Co2 emissions while lowering fuel consumption and costs will always bring a smile to the face of motorists.

But what do those in the industry think of the proposals? Mike Welch, the founder of online tyre retailer, BlackCircles.com, believes the new regulation will be 'extremely beneficial' for customers and should have been introduced a long time ago.

"As well as giving the customer more information

[jay2578]

I think the "illegal overnight" still pretty much validates what i said, perhaps i mis-read the "currently fitted" part, but I thought it relevant to point fellow members, most of whom have a degree of interest in tyres, in the direction of the article.
 Well done for taking the time and effort to post the actual article, I had way more important and interesting things to do, and your use of bold lettering is very pleasing on the eye, if a little numbing on the brain!

[Sider]

Bear in mind that the tyres will have to be more fuel efficient, so the extra money you pay for the tyres should be compensated by the savings at the pump.

I can't see anything wrong with this law, personally.

[Llanigraham]

No problem Jay, it's fairly quiet here at work today. I've only got to deal with 2 trains an hour thanks to the Sunday service.

Now we all know to look for the little labels when we buy tyres next year............................





We all will wont we?

[jay2578]

Bear in mind that the tyres will have to be more fuel efficient, so the extra money you pay for the tyres should be compensated by the savings at the pump.

I can't see anything wrong with this law, personally.

I agree, I`m sure an interviewee in the article mentions that there would be savings in the long run

[Disco Matt]

From what I can see this is no different to those "traffic light" labels on foods? You can still buy whatever you like, you just get a finger-wagging notice about how nanny doesn't think you should be eating it!  :lol:

The new regs will mean that tyres have to be tested to a standard and graded accordingly, with the industry insider saying that he thinks demand will fall away for tyres that don't score as well. Nothing about it being illegal to carry on using what you have, or fit whatever tyres you like providing that they have the right stickers. Bear in mind that the Army, electricity companies, Mountain Rescue, etc all need some form of off road tyres so they will still be available.

It might mean the end of cheap aggressive tread pattern remoulds, but I'm not sure I want tyres from a company that's too cheap to pay to have them tested and graded...

[carbore]

Never rely on the press, allways find the source legislation etc etc (link provided on the linked site to the EU Directive)

http://www.etrma.org/public/activitiestyreg.asp

So.....towards the end

"Such information will at all times, be available for the customers through technical promotional material, including websites of the manufacturers. Are excluded retreaded tyres, off-road tyres and racing tyres.

[datalas]

I would take the exemption to mean "tyres not for road use" rather than "oh, it's a mud-terrain it's exempt"

We are of course assuming that the new legislation is to do anything more than to tighten up the laws regarding tyre quality that are already in place.  The article certainly seems to use fairly passive language "it is expected", "could mean" etc without declaring that the new rules are a bother to meet.

Having had tyres de-laminate at speed, I'm not that fussed about legislation which is going to make it less likely that they do so, granted it will make the "bargain" tyres potentially illegal or more expensive, but to be honest if it ensures slightly better quality and reduces the chance of them shredding themselves then it might not be a bad thing anyhow.

Anyhow, we'll see what happens :)

[carbore]

Good point re "tyres not for road use", Il look into that as I noticed on another thread there was a comment about "professional" tyres, e.g. specialist market. Im thinking utillitiy/plant etc. Obviously there is an Issue re MOT class etc.

[barmiebrumie]

SPEAK   to Bronco , they are EXPERTS ( so they told me ) on tyre legislation , that's why the Grizzly claws they sold me still had a "e " number on them .. :^o [-X :oops:         :lol:

Did wonder if you had read this tread  :-$

[glaggs]

Many 4x4 tyres have alreay become illegal over night.  New noise regulation on tyres has rendered many MT patterns illegal as they don't comply with the new noise regulations introduced this year. This is why you now see ads for Simex and similar saying for off road use only. Tyre law is update dregularly, but generally only affects the sale not use of tyres. So it is now illegal to sell tyres without the correct noise markings. The Rolling resistance and wet breaking labels are to be a guide to tyre peformance and economy and shouldn't be seen as a means to outlaw any of the brands currently on sale. They may help you justify buying a premium brand over a cheaper option though.

[Range Rover Blues]

Typical of many jouralists he makes a supposition "will your tyres become illegal overnight" then produces absolutely no evidence to back that question up.  The guy from Black Circles talks in terms of falling demand for uneconomic brands, no mention of hos stock becoming unsaleable.

And as for legislation not been retrospective, HELLO, where were you during NERC :-.

If it is just a matter of infomration then let us make an informed choice, whilst enough of us want big knobly bobblies someone will still make them.

[Sider]

Typical of many jouralists he makes a supposition "will your tyres become illegal overnight" then produces absolutely no evidence to back that question up.  The guy from Black Circles talks in terms of falling demand for uneconomic brands, no mention of hos stock becoming unsaleable.

And as for legislation not been retrospective, HELLO, where were you during NERC :-.

If it is just a matter of infomration then let us make an informed choice, whilst enough of us want big knobly bobblies someone will still make them.

As far as I can understand the text, it doesn't say "will your tyres become illegal overnight" but it says that the sale of cheap, nasty tyres (specially from china)may become illegal. The base for his reasoning is the fact that companies (particularly chinese) may not consider it economically viable to test and label the aforementioned cheap, nasty remoulds.

Honestly, how about we stop having a go at journalism for the sake of slandering them. They have a job and they do it, some better, some worse, but I thought this was a tread to slander the EU and its regulations.

[john656]

Was it me or was that just people opinions?? The demand for cheaper tyres will always be there because people cannot afford to have perelli or such like on all four corners of their 1100 93 metro? Will they take into consideration peoples driving habits..e.g traveling behind the car in front at 70 mph on the motorway in rain at half a cars length. Even if the tyre scores 10/10 for everything will not help the MUPPETS that infest our roads are to blame not the tyres. I have mud terrain remoulds and because i know this i drive accordingly. Not all the drivers on the UK's roads drive as stats says so (altho hard to believe). I feel that tyre fitters have enough knowledge to help the average joe and guide them on tyre choice afterall this is part of their jobs is it not?
As for phasing out and making some tyres illegal i call BS....

[glaggs]

Update from my last post. If a tyre doesn't reach a minimum requirement in any of the criteria it won't be legal to offer it for sale. The test will have a broad range and so most reasonable tyres will be OK. Previously the test for a tyre tp gain approval were quite strict anyway.
From a 4x4 point of view MT's will find it harder to comply with the noise and wet braking tests. Currently my understanding is that retread tyres don't fall under the legislation.

[carbore]

Hello,

In the text of the EU document on http://www.etrma.org/public/Pdf%20from%20July/2008-316%20Final%20text.pdf

In particular the Commission should be empowered to establish the specific procedures, tests and requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles, components and separate technical units ▌; to define more precisely the characteristics a tyre must fulfil to be defined as "snow tyre", "traction tyre", "special use tyre", "off-road professional tyre", "reinforced" or "extra load tyre";

Bold is mine. As it mentions off-road and racing tyres elsewhere (e.g. tyres that never see a road such as racing car/agricultural), id assume they are ALSO making provision for off road professional e.g utility/emergency/defence that need to be road legal but also need off road performance.

That said i agree we may see budget off road tyres reduce in supply as its not worth getting exempt or tested etc