Considerations on COM(2009)348 - Labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2009)348 - Labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2009)348  |
| date | June 30, 2009 |
(2) The Communication of the Commission 'Action Plan on Energy Efficiency- Realising the potential' [7] highlighted the potential to reduce total energy consumption by 20% by 2020 by means of a list of targeted actions including labelling of tyres.
(3) Tyres, mainly because of their rolling resistance, account for 20% to 30% of the fuel consumption of vehicles. A reduction of the rolling resistance of tyres may therefore contribute significantly to the energy efficiency of road transport and thus to the reduction of emissions.
(4) Tyres are characterised by a number of parameters which are interrelated. Improving one parameter such as rolling resistance may have an adverse impact on other parameters such as wet grip, while improving wet grip may have an adverse impact on external rolling noise. Tyre manufacturers should be encouraged to optimise all parameters.
(5) Fuel-efficient tyres are cost-effective as fuel savings over-compensate more than compensate for the increased purchasing price of tyres stemming from higher production costs.
(6) [Regulation (EC) No …/… concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles] [8] sets out minimum requirements on rolling resistance of tyres. Technological developments make it possible to significantly decrease energy losses due to tyre rolling resistance beyond those minimum requirements. To reduce the environmental impact of road transport, it is therefore appropriate to lay down provisions to encourage end-users to purchase more fuel efficient tyres by providing them harmonised information about this parameter.
(7) Traffic noise is a significant nuisance and has a harmful effect on health. [Regulation (EC) No …/… concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles] sets out minimum requirements on external rolling noise of tyres. Technological developments make it possible to significantly reduce external rolling noise beyond those minimum requirements. To reduce traffic noise, it is therefore appropriate to lay down provisions to encourage end-users to purchase tyres with low external rolling noise by providing them harmonised information about this parameter.
(8) The provision of harmonised information on tyre external rolling noise would also facilitate the implementation of measures against traffic noise and contribute to increased awareness of the effect of tyres on traffic noise within the framework of Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise [9].
(9) [Regulation (EC) No …/… concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles] sets out minimum requirements on wet grip performance of tyres. Technological development make it possible to significantly improve wet grip beyond those minimum requirements, and thus to reduce wet breaking distances. To improve road safety it is therefore appropriate to lay down provisions to encourage end-users to purchase tyres with high wet grip performance by providing them harmonised information about this parameter.
(10) Other tyre parameters, such as aquaplaning or handling in curves, also affect road safety. However, at this stage, harmonised testing methods are not yet available in respect of such parameters. Therefore, it is appropriate to provide for the possibility, at a later stage and if necessary, of laying down provisions on harmonised information to end-users about such tyre parameters.
(10) The provision of information on wet grip may not reflect the primary performance of tyres specifically designed for snow and ice conditions. Taking into account the fact that harmonised testing methods are not yet available in respect of such tyres, it is appropriate to provide for the possibility of adapting their grip grading in comitology at a later stage if necessary.
(11) The provision of information on tyre parameters in the form of a standard label is likely to influence purchasing decisions by end-users in favour of safer, quieter and more fuel efficient tyres. This in turn is likely to encourage tyre manufacturers to optimise those tyre parameters, which would pave the way for more sustainable consumption and production.
(12) Multiplicity of rules concerning labelling of tyres across Member States would create barriers to intra-Community trade and increase the administrative burden and testing costs for tyre manufacturers.
(13) Replacement tyres account for 78% of the tyre market. It is therefore justified to inform the end-user about the parameters of replacement tyres as well as tyres fitted on new vehicles.
(14) The need for greater information on tyre fuel efficiency and other parameters is relevant for consumers, including fleet managers and transport companies, who cannot easily compare the parameters of different tyre brands in the absence of a labelling and harmonised testing regime. It is therefore appropriate to include C1, C2 and C3 tyres in the scope of the Regulation directive.
(15) The energy label which ranks products on a scale from “A to G”, as applied to household appliances pursuant to Directive 1992/75/EC on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances [10], is well known by consumers and has proven to be successful in promoting more efficient appliances. The same design should be used for the labelling of tyre fuel efficiency.
(16) The display of a label on tyres at the point of sale, as well as in technical promotional literature, should ensure that distributors as well as potential end-users receive harmonised information on tyre fuel efficiency, wet grip performance and external rolling noise.
(17) Some end-users choose tyres before arriving at the point of sale or purchase tyres by mail order. To ensure that those end-users can also make an informed choice on the basis of harmonised information on tyre fuel efficiency, wet grip performance and external rolling noise, labels should be displayed in all technical promotional literature, including where such literature is made available on the Internet.
(18) Potential end-users should be provided with information explaining each component of the label and its relevance. This information should be provided in technical promotional literature such as suppliers' websites.
(198) Information should be provided in accordance with the harmonised testing methods that should be reliable, accurate and reproducible, in order to laid down in [Regulation (EC) No …/… concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles] to enable end-users to compare different tyres and to limit testing costs for manufacturers.
(2019) In order to reduce greenhouse gases emissions and increase the safety of road transport, some Where Member States may put in place incentives in favour of fuel-efficient and safer tyres. I, it is appropriate that minimum fuel efficiency and wet grip classes be determined below which such incentives may not be granted in order to avoid fragmentation of the internal market. Such incentives might constitute State aid. This Regulation Directive is without prejudice to the outcome of any future State aid procedure that may be undertaken in accordance with Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty in their respect.
(2120) Compliance with provisions on labelling by manufacturers, suppliers and distributors is essential to achieve the aims of those provisions and to ensure a level playing field within the Community. Member States should therefore monitor such compliance through market surveillance and regular ex-post controls in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93 [11].
(2221) Tyre suppliers and distributors should be encouraged to comply with the provisions of this Regulation before 2012 to speed up the recognition of the label and realisation of its benefits.
(2321) The measures necessary to implement this Directive Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission [12].
(2422) In particular, power should be conferred on the Commission to introduce requirements with respect to wet grip grading of C2 and C3 tyres classes, to introduce essential tyre parameters other than fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise adapt the grip grading of tyres specifically designed for snow and ice conditions and to adapt the Annexes to technical progress. Since those measures are of general scope and are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation Directive by supplementing it, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC.
(25) A review of this Regulation should be undertaken to determine end-users' understanding of the label and its ability to achieve market transformation.