Key conclusions:
Tyre labelling encourages competition and differentiates products based on their operational parameters, allowing consumers to make conscious decisions. Market evolution towards tyres with higher operational parameters – both in terms of fuel consumption and safety – can have a significant positive impact on our environment and road safety.
Brussels, 15 October 2018. – A new report on the impact of the tyre labelling system on European tyre market after first five years of their existence has shown a constant evolution of market, while no significant increase has been recorded for placing tyres with the highest markings on the market. The most popular tyre designation in Europe is still ‘E-C’. The study highlighted the need for further emphasis of the purpose of tyre labelling, that is promotion of more conscious choices.
A report financed by the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA), and drawn up by Lizeo Group, analyses 400,000 tyre labels in 28 EU countries over the period 2012-2017. The level of use of tyres with different combinations of rolling resistance and wet grip has also been examined. The former parameter affects fuel economy and lowers emissions, while the latter is an indicator of tyre safety on wet roads. Both indicators should be considered together because they are the result of a compromise.
A report published in October states that tyre labelling is still a „new tool” – it is not well known to fleet drivers and managers. As a result, there is still considerable potential for increasing knowledge of the existing tyre labelling system.
When asked about the need of bringing awareness to the labelling system, Fazilet Cinaralp, General Secretary of ETRMA, said: „Looking at this research, it is obvious that tyre labelling still needs to be consolidated and the market has not yet fully appreciated the benefits of using tyres with the best parameter combinations of rolling resistance and wet grip. It is also necessary to recognize that, given the fact that these features are interdependent, the ability to produce high quality tyres, both in terms of fuel consumption and safety, is a huge technological success”.
„Unfortunately, the Lizeo study shows low consumer awareness, not only in terms of tyre labelling, but also regarding the fact that tyres are highly technologically advanced products, significantly diversified in terms of operating parameters, and not just prices. Therefore, when discussing the label, the main emphasis should be put on what can be done to raise awareness and further market assimilation before we change the labelling system and add new and more advanced classes”, Cinaralp added.
In the opinion of the industry, there is also a strong need for more market surveillance. A survey carried out by the Lizeo Group showed incorrect labelling of about 4,000 tyres. This is confirmed by the results of the MSTyr15[1] report, funded by the European Commission, which indicates the need to increase confidence of buyers, producers and retailers and better enforce EU legislation, as 9% of the tested tyre models required application of enforcement measures.
The Lizeo report comes at the right moment because the European Commission in its new 2018 draft of the regulation on tyre labelling proposes to change the scale of tyre labels. This proposal[2] is currently being reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council.
In contrast to the Lizeo study, impact assessment carried out by the European Commission in 2018 analysed data from only German tyre market and tested performance parameters, rolling resistance and wet grip separately. These two studies are therefore difficult to compare, but the impact assessment is clearly more optimistic, even if there is not a big discrepancy between the two sets of data.
„Results clearly show that any change in the scale of the labelling system at this stage would be premature. The scale-change criteria set out in the Framework Regulation on labelling are not met and no sufficient change has occurred at the top of the scale”, said Fazilet Cinaralp.
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Notes for editor
About ETRMA
Industry employs directly over 360,000 people and its turnover amounted to 73 billion euro in 2016, which is approximately half a percentage point of EU turnover. The following tyre manufacturers are members of ETRMA: APOLLO VREDESTEIN, BRIDGESTONE EUROPE, BRISA, COOPER TYRES, CONTINENTAL, GOODYEAR DUNLOP TYRES EUROPE, HANKOOK, MARANGONI, MICHELIN, NOKIAN TYRES, PIRELLI TYRE, PROMETEON Tyre S.r.l. and TRELLEBORG WHEEL SYSTEMS. Members of ETRMA also include organizations in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.
About PTIA
Polish Tyre Industry Association is an organization established by major global tyre companies operating in Poland. We represent industry, directly employing 10,000 employees in 4 factories and trading companies, producing highly technologically advanced products for export and the internal market.
Source: European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA)