From November 1st, 2012, all tyres that are available for sale that have been produced after July 1st, 2012, must bear a tyre label. This tyre label must display the tyre’s classes as according to the criteria of the EU Tyre Label in regards to rolling resistance, wet grip and noise emissions. The EU Tyre Label directive is binding to all member states of the EU and is valid for all car, light truck and truck tyres of the classes C1, C2 and C3.
The goal of the EU Tyre Label is to provide better information to consumers in the EU about the safety and environmental characterises of a given tyre. The tyre label is designed to actively support consumers in the selection of new tyres.
As is already familiar from the classification of electrical devices such as refrigerators and washing machines, the EU Tyre Label is divided into colour-coded classes beginning with the best category (green category -A-) and ending with the worst category (red category -G-).
To which countries does the EU Tyre Label apply?
As with every decree of the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers, decree no. 1222/2009 is binding and identical in all EU member states.
Who certifies the tyres?
The tyre manufacturers themselves certify their tyres according to the specified criteria of the EU Tyre Label This includes each individual tyre model and size to be tested, classified and then certified.
Where will the label information about my tyre be published/displayed?
The classification of car, light truck and truck tyres must be documented in the tyre manufacturer’s brochures and reports but also published online. The consumer should be informed about the performance details of a tyre before purchase, but the information should also be displayed on or accompanying the purchase invoice given to the consumer or end user of the tyre.
eiretyres.com will display the EU Tyre Label classification information about a given tyre on its respective detailed information page. The classification occurs on a product level, meaning each individual product has its own label. Additionally, the corresponding details will be sent on or accompanying the purchase invoice.
What alternative sources of assessment information can I find along with the EU Tyre Label?
The newly developed label informs consumers about three important criteria of a tyre: rolling resistance, wet grip and noise emissions. There are, however, other important properties that are relevant to safety and should be taken into account in the choice of new tyres. These include aquaplaning properties, road holding, life expectancy and durability, steering precision, mileage, braking properties on both dry and wet roads and performance during winter conditions.
Manufacturers advise that the EU Tyre Label should not be taken as a substitute for further, in-depth information that can be gained from academic sources such as tyre tests and journals. The tyre label can sometimes provide only a restricted overview of a tyre’s performance, particularly in regards to winter tyres as no form of performance in winter conditions is displayed on the label.
Tyres tests conducted by automotive journals nevertheless remain one of the most important and significant source of information about the performance of a tyre for end users as these often test up to 11 further safety-related tyre properties, compared to the three displayed on the tyre label.
At www.tyretest.com you will find a large international and independent consumer platform for the evaluation of tyres where regular drivers have tested their tyres in normal driving conditions and posted their reviews.
Where can I find further information about the EU Tyre Label?
You can find further information about the EU Tyre Label on the following sites:
You will also find more information about the tyre label on your tyre manufacturer’s website.
Do I have the same rights when shopping online as I do in the high street?
Eiretyres is an Irish online tyre shop brought to you by Delticom AG, a German company based in Hanover. We offer a one week “cooling off” period for you to reconsider the purchase. If you would like to take advantage of this "cooling off" period, then please ensure that you click this option when ordering. We offer a full, money back guarantee if you return the goods within 30 days as long as the tyres have not been fitted and/or used. If you find that the tyres are faulty or damaged on arrival then you are covered by consumer protection laws and have a 14-day statutory period in which to lodge an objection.
What happens if the tyres are faulty or damaged on arrival?
Should an item be faulty or damaged upon arrival, you are entitled to return the product and be reimbursed within the warranty period. The warranty period for our goods is 24 months, starting from the day of shipment. Please contact us either by email: eiretyres@delti.com, by fax: 0049 89 20 80 80 815 or by telephone on our hotline: +3530818000052 (Monday to Friday from 7 am to 9 pm). You will receive a claim form from us, which you need to complete, sign and return to us in order to be reimbursed.
Please note: Do not send any tyres directly to our headquartes in Hannover as we unfortunately cannot accept any tyre deliveries here.
Should you be claiming reimbursement for tyres that have already been mounted to your vehicle, please contact your fitting station.
Which criteria are used in the EU Tyre Label rating classes?
The EU Tyre Label rating system consists of three components:
- Rolling Resistance (Fuel Efficiency): The petrol pump symbol stands for the running friction of a tyre. The lower it is, the less energy is wasted and the less fuel is used. This indicator thus informs the consumer both about the energy efficiency of a tyre as well as about its environmental compatibility in the form of lower CO2 emissions.
The evaluation is given in classes "A" to "G", whereby "D" is not used.
- Wet Grip (Braking Performance) This symbol indicates the grip of a tyre on a wet road. Wet grip is a key factor in relation to the safety performance of a tyre. The effects of the wet grip on road safety are enormous as roads with excellent wet grip significantly reduce the braking distance.
The shorter the braking distance, the better the class rating.
The tyre label is classified according to classes "A" to "G", whereby "D" and "G" are not used.
- Noise EmissionsThe loudspeaker symbol stands for the noise that the tyres generate when running on the road surface. The noise emission is measured in decibels (dB). The noise emission of the tyres acts on the overall noise intensity of the vehicle and not only affects driving comfort but also the noise impact on the environment. The more black sound waves the symbol has, the louder the tyre is.
EU Tyre Label: Rolling Resistance (Fuel Efficiency)
The petrol pump symbol stands for the running friction of a tyre. The lower it is, the less energy is wasted and the less fuel is used. This indicator thus informs the consumer both about the energy efficiency of a tyre as well as about its environmental compatibility in the form of lower CO2 emissions.
The fuel savings achievable by a tyre are rated with the same categories as its safety performance. However in this case, the classification is also indicated by a colour pictogram that corresponds to the standardised pictograms for energy efficiency used all over the EU.
The evaluation is given in classes "A" to "G", whereby "D" is not used. Improvement by one class signifies a saving of approx. 0.1 litre of fuel over 100 km. Between class "G" and class "A" there is a total reduction of approx. 7.5% of the fuel consumption.
Class
Car tyre running friction (CR) in kg/t
Light truck tyre running friction (CR) in kg/t
Truck tyre running friction (CR) in kg/t
- A -
≤ 6,5
≤ 5,5
≤ 4,0
- B -
6,6 - 7,7
5,6 - 6,7
4,1 - 5,0
- C -
7,8 - 9,0
6,8 - 8,0
5,1 - 6,0
- D -
-
-
6,1 - 7,0
- E -
9,1 - 10,5
8,1 - 9,2
6,1 - 7,0
- F -
10,6 - 12,0
9,3 - 10,5
≥ 8,1
- G -
≥ 12,1
≥ 10,6
-
Boundary values for classification of running friction
EU Tyre Label: Wet Grip (Braking Performance)
This symbol indicates the grip of a tyre on a wet road. Wet grip is a key factor in relation to the safety performance of a tyre. The effects of the wet grip on road safety are enormous as roads with excellent wet grip significantly reduce the braking distance.
The tyre label is classified according to classes "A" to "G", whereby "D" and "G" are not used. The braking distance difference from one class to the next on a wet road at an initial speed of 80 km/h between 1 and 2 vehicle lengths (3.0 - 6.0 m), is on average around 4.5 m . Between class "G" and class "A" there is a total reduction of approx. 30% in the braking distance.
In total the braking difference between, for example, Class "A" and "F" is over 18 metres.
Class
Car tyre index value (G)
Light trucks tyre index value (G)
Truck tyre index value (G)
- A -
≥ 1,55
-
-
- B -
1,40 - 1,54
-
-
- C -
1,25 - 1,39
-
-
- D -
-
-
-
- E -
1,1 - 1,24
-
-
- F -
≤ 1,09
-
-
- G -
-
-
-
Boundary values for classification of wet grip (The index value "G" relates to a reference tyre. The classification of the wet category applies initially only to car tyres, the methods for light trucks and trucks are still in development.)
EU Tyre Label: Noise Emissions
The loudspeaker symbol stands for the noise that the tyres generate when running on the road surface. The noise emission is measured in decibels (dB). The noise emission of the tyres acts on the overall noise intensity of the vehicle and not only affects driving comfort but also the noise impact on the environment. The more black sound waves the symbol has, the louder the tyre is.
The label with 2 black sound waves corresponds to the EU directives applicable from 11/2012.
3 black sound waves Three black sound waves stand for a high noise generation. This classification corresponds to the EU standard boundary value as per the directive "2001/43/EC", which is in force until 10/2012. A tyre labelled thus is louder when running as permitted by the provisions of the EU directives from November 2012.
2 black sound waves Two black sound waves stand for a moderate noise generation. This classification corresponds to the EU standard boundary value as per the directive "661/2009/EC", which is in force from 11/2012.
1 black sound wave One black sound wave stands for the lowest noise generation. The noise values lie at least 3 dB below the noise boundary values stipulated in the directive "661/2009/EC".
Additional Criteria and Methods for Evaluating Tyres
The newly developed label informs consumers about three important criteria of a tyre: rolling resistance, wet grip and noise emissions. There are, however, other important properties that are relevant to safety and should be taken into account in the choice of new tyres. These include aquaplaning properties, road holding, life expectancy and durability, steering precision, mileage, braking properties on both dry and wet roads and performance during winter conditions.
Manufacturers advise that the EU Tyre Label should not be taken as a substitute for further, in-depth information that can be gained from academic sources such as tyre tests and journals. The tyre label can sometimes provide only a restricted overview of a tyre’s performance, particularly in regards to winter tyres as no form of performance in winter conditions is displayed on the label.
Tyres tests conducted by automotive journals nevertheless remain one of the most important and significant source of information about the performance of a tyre for end users as these often test up to 11 further safety-related tyre properties, compared to the three displayed on the tyre label.
At www.tyretest.com you will find a large international and independent consumer platform for the evaluation of tyres where regular drivers have tested their tyres in normal driving conditions and posted their reviews.
For which types of tyres is the EU Tyre Label valid?
The EU Tyre Label applies to the following types of tyres:
• Class C1: private car tyres• Class C2: light truck tyres as per ECE-R 54 labelled with a) a load index for single wheels ≤ 121 and b) a symbol for a speed category ≥ N• Class C3: truck tyres as per ECE-R 54 labelled witha) a load index for single wheels ≥ 122 orb) a load index for single wheels ≤ 121 andc) a symbol for a speed category ≤ M
For which types of tyres is the EU Tyre Label NOT valid?
The tyre label does NOT apply for: • Motorbike tyres • Retreaded tyres • Emergency tyres of type T • Off-road tyres for commercial use • Tyres with a permitted maximum speed of less than 80 km/h • Tyres for rims with a nominal diameter less than 254 mm (10") as well as over 635 mm (25") • Tyres with additional devices for improving traction, e.g. spiked tyres • Tyres that are exclusively designed for use in vehicles that were first licensed before 1 October 1990 • Tyres that are exclusively designed for use in racing cars
What do institutions and associations in the industry say about the EU Tyre Label?
In general, tyre manufacturers have welcomed the introduction of the EU Tyre Label. It assists in improving the information conveyed to consumers, along with driving security but also helps to reduce energy consumption which in turn helps to protect the environment. The classification allows the consumer to gain a broader preliminary basis of information prior to purchasing a tyre and, along with other tyre tests and reviews, can become a significant deciding factor in a consumer’s tyre selection decision.
Manufacturers advise that the EU Tyre Label should not be taken as a substitute for further, in-depth information that can be gained from academic sources such as tyre tests and journals. The tyre label can sometimes provide only a restricted overview of a tyre’s performance, particularly in regards to winter tyres as no form of performance in winter conditions is displayed on the label.
Click here to find tyre tests by consumers for consumers: www.tyretest.com
I received two tyres with a label and two tyres without. Is there a difference in quality?
From November 1st 2012, all tyres that are available for general purchase that have been produced after July 1st, 2012 must be accompanied by an EU Tyre Label or clearly indicate respective label information that allows a specific tyre to be classified. The tyre manufactures guarantee that tyres with the same item number, that have been produced before July 1st, 2012, are of the same quality as those with a tyre label. The label may not be directly affixed to the tyre or accompany it in any form, but the information about the associated classification of a tyre by the EU Tyre Label criteria can always be found in the detailed information page on eiretyres.com for any tyre. The label classification is performed at item level, meaning that each individual item receives it's own label. Additionally, the label information will always be sent either on or accompanying the order invoice.
Am I permitted to drive when a tyre with a label and a tyre without a label are on one axle?
Yes. Tyre manufacturers guarantee that tyres with the same item number, that were produced before July 1st, 2012, are of the same quality as those that have a tyre label. The label may not be directly affixed to the tyre or accompany it in any form, but the information about the associated classification of a tyre by the EU Tyre Label criteria can always be found in the detailed information page on eiretyres.com for any tyre. The label classification is performed at item level, meaning that each individual item receives it's own label. Additionally, the label information will always be sent either on or accompanying the order invoice.
New article in your shopping cart!
%entries%
Total amount
%total-entries-price%
%total-entries-discounted-price%
From November 1st, 2012, all tyres that are available for sale that have been produced after July 1st, 2012, must bear a tyre label. This tyre label must display the tyre’s classes as according to the criteria of the EU Tyre Label in regards to rolling resistance, wet grip and noise emissions. The EU Tyre Label directive is binding to all member states of the EU and is valid for all car, light truck and truck tyres of the classes C1, C2 and C3.
The goal of the EU Tyre Label is to provide better information to consumers in the EU about the safety and environmental characterises of a given tyre. The tyre label is designed to actively support consumers in the selection of new tyres.
As is already familiar from the classification of electrical devices such as refrigerators and washing machines, the EU Tyre Label is divided into colour-coded classes beginning with the best category (green category -A-) and ending with the worst category (red category -G-).
- Rolling Resistance (Fuel Efficiency):
- Wet Grip (Braking Performance)
- Noise EmissionsThe loudspeaker symbol stands for the noise that the tyres generate when running on the road surface. The noise emission is measured in decibels (dB). The noise emission of the tyres acts on the overall noise intensity of the vehicle and not only affects driving comfort but also the noise impact on the environment. The more black sound waves the symbol has, the louder the tyre is.
