Tire labeling to be better from 2021

EU is again leading the world in road safety by reaching a political agreement during the end of November regarding tire labelin g regulation. Tire labeling made mandatory seven years back in November 2012 has already brought in a lot of benefits. This new updating of the labeling after made into law by the European parliament will be effective from May 2021.

The tire labeling concept started in May 2008 with the European Commission's proposal. In the same plan, there was an option of a pictogram for snow or ice to indicate whether the tires are suitable for winter driving. It was not part of the regulation No. 661 of 2009 that was approved as legislation and implemented in 2012. The tire labels specified the minimum fundamental three requirements of fuel efficiency, wet grip, and external rolling noise. But with the political agreement reached now in November, there will be a pictogram to indicate whether all season tires or all weather tires are suitable for safe winter driving.

Many experts and associations related to safety on the road welcome the move of updating the labeling regulation. They confirm that the new updating will address many of the shortcomings of the existing law including

· Increase the tire market uptake of high graded tires with the labels giving precise information of the tire's qualities

· Increase the market surveillance of some EU member states where there was lackluster surveillance for label regulation

· Increase the limited awareness of the label among the consumers even after seven years of its implementation as shown by some studies

· The improved surveillance through sanctions and penalties will mandate those who have a lackluster approach to adhering to labeling regulation

· With the EU member states mandated to increase the visibility of the labels and stronger obligations will bring in more awareness towards safety on the road

· Increases healthy competition among manufacturers to make efficient tires and also informing customers

The new law on tire labeling from May 2021 will sure be a boon to customers to choose the right tires for being safe on the road at all times. The previous labels had the difficulty of not specifying if the winter tires are exponentially safe on winter roads. Winter tires that are suitable for central Europe are not fit for Northern Europe's worst winter conditions. Hence the new pictogram on the winter tires will be safe for winter. Tire experts want some more inclusions in the label regulation updating like

· Enable the product information database to strengthen the information chain between tire manufacturers and authorities

· The label appearance apart from winter pictogram needs to include QR code, logos for its use in snow and ice conditions, tire tests, retailer advice, and manufacture details among others

The European tire industry is always ready and willing to meet the challenges of even nature to counter them in productive ways, like recommending better tire labeling regulation. It is only for the people to choose the right all season tires and all weather tires as per the seasons and be safe on the road to fulfill their responsibilities happily.