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New EU Tyre Label

Lowering car emissions with EU tyre labels

Introducing the new EU Tyre Label

The EU has committed to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Reducing CO₂ emissions from road transport plays a major part in fulfilling these goals.

Choosing more fuel-efficient tyres can contribute to reducing transport emissions. In order to help consumers make informed decisions, the EU is introducing a new labelling scheme for tyres which will come into force on May 1, 2021.

The EU tyre label will allow EU consumers to choose more fuel-efficient tyres, which can lead to great savings for both end users and commercial users in terms of both costs and emissions. Road safety is improved through better wet grip while information on noise levels help reduce traffic-related noise pollution.

What’s new for our partners and consumers?

Current EU tyre label (introduced in 11/2012) versus new EU tyre label (which will come into force on May 1, 2021).

Under the new regulation, bus and truck tyres will also be covered (tyre class C1, C2, C3).
Additional information (tyre type identifier = art. no.).
In addition to the standard label, there are also options for including icons relating to severe snow conditions (3PMSF) and/or grip in icy conditions (for C1 tyres only).
Noise classes: ABC replace sound waves.
Reclassification for lower label classes:
D is the new E; Class D no longer empty (for C1 & C2 tyres only); F and G merge to form E.
QR code for each tyre type identifier with link to EU product database (EPREL).

The new Product information sheet (PIS) is generated in the EPREL database, based on the information we as Continental or other suppliers have reported:

It includes:

information shown on the EU label in tabular form
Date of start of production
Date of end of production (will be added by manufacturer, when known)

EPREL – European Product Registry for Energy Labelling

Main objective: Consumers will be able to search the product database for energy labels and product information sheets. Via the QR code displayed on the new EU tyre label, consumers will be able to access the corresponding tyre information and download the relevant information.

Suppliers (manufacturers, importers or authorised representatives) need to register their tyres before selling them on the European market.

Suppliers can register their articles since 12th October 2020.

Consumers will be able to access the EPREL database from 1st May 2021. The database will be accessible through a public web portal.

What do you need to take into consideration?

Here comes your part (obligation): as a tyre distributor, from May 1, 2021, you need to ensure that:

At the point of sale the label on the tyres is clearly visible. The product information sheet needs to be accessible (digitally) and provided in printed form on request. Where the tyre is not physically shown in the store and where it is sold online or on a long-distance basis the information needs to be provided digitally.

When you sell a tyre that is part of a batch of one or more identical tyres, the label and the product information sheet need to be accessible (digitally) and provided on request.

In visual advertisements or other promotional material, the tyre label information must be shown – digitally or in printed form – whenever a specific tyre type is being promoted or displayed. In a list of products, the respective performance symbols and declared label classes/values alone are sufficient.

How will Continental support you?

Shown label values may differ from correct label values of this product.

All tyres delivered by us will be compliant with the new regulation. Car tyres will be delivered with a sticker containing further information such as tyre line name and EAN (see draft).

Tyres delivered to you before May 1, 2021 with the former label still remain compliant. A certain transition phase is part of the switchover and tyres do not have to be re-labelled if provided to you before May 1, 2021. This also applies to tyres that are already on the market (e.g. at our RDCs) but are delivered to you after May 1, 2021.

However, we will be sure to transmit the new label values in good time so you can also use the new EU label to help your customers make informed choices. Moreover the new label will also be available for download and print out in EPREL. So if a customer requires the label, you will be able to provide it fast and easily.