BRUSSELS (Sept. 30, 2009)—A new compromise deal has watered down the proposed European Union rules on tire labeling, according to a lobby group.
The proposal is due to be finalized tomorrow (Thursday), following a three-way meeting in Brussels.
Transport & Environment said the latest legal text would effectively turn the plan into a voluntary program, with no clear rules on how or where the labels should be displayed. The proposal is scheduled to be finalized tomorrow.
An EU spokeswoman said nothing is completed yet, and current working text won't be released before a decision is reached.
Earlier versions of the would have resulted in compulsory stickers, similar to those seen on refrigerators and washing machines, being placed on car and van tires at the point of sale. As well as energy efficiency information, the new label will also show noise and wet grip performance.
“Vague or unspecific EU labeling regulations have failed before,” T&E said. “Notably, new car dealers, who were obliged to put up posters in their showrooms showing fuel efficiency information, often failed to do so, or placed the posters in hard-to-find areas.”