The energy label for new tyres set out in the Regulation cover fuel/energy efficiency, safety and noise performance and grip on snow and ice capability apply from 1 May 2021. New C3 tyres (commonly used on trucks and buses) must also be labelled. 

The label follows the well-known colour-coded classification system used for appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators, albeit with only 5 different classes available for rolling resistance and for wet grip, and 3 classes for external rolling noise. Rolling resistance is an indicator of the tyre’s energy efficiency, showing potential benefits in terms of lower fuel consumption and extending the distance that can be covered by vehicles between refuelling or charging points, while the wet grip measurement is an important measure of safety. Improvements in the performance of these aspects can affect other performance parameters. For this reason, the performance of both classes is displayed in the label with equivalent visibility. Noise may be affected as well.

Re-treaded tyres constitute an important part of the market for C3 tyres. The re-treading of tyres extends their lifespan and contributes to circular economy objectives, such as waste reduction. Applying labelling requirements to such tyres would bring substantial energy and material savings, contributing to the expansion of the circular economy.

According to article 13.2 of Regulation 2020/740, Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 14 in order to supplement this Regulation by introducing new information requirements for retreaded tyres in the Annexes, provided that a suitable test method is available.

A delegated act to supplement the Regulation in respect to labelling of re-treaded tyres could not be proposed by 26 June 2022, as required in article 13.2 of Regulation 2020/740, given the lack of a suitable available test method. Work to address this barrier has progressed, initiated by an industry proposal submitted in October 2022 for the labelling of re-treaded C3 (truck/bus) tyres [2]. In response to that proposal, the Commission launched a study by an independent laboratory specialised in homologation testing of vehicles and components to assess the validity and feasibility of the industry proposal. The findings of this independent study are going to inform this impact assessment.

This study will assist the Commission in the development of a proposal on the labelling of a limited number of sizes of re-treaded C3 tyres (i.e., commonly used by buses and trucks). According to preliminary estimates from the preparatory study, the label will cover a subset of C3 tyre sizes tyres that represent about 90% of re-treaded tyre sales in the EU-27.

Methodology

The principal output from this study will be a report on which the Commission can conduct its impact assessment. The study is designed around three key tasks:

• Task 1: Information gathering
• Task 2: Problem definition
• Task 3: Impact assessment