BRUSSELS, Belgium (Oct. 2, 2009)—The tire industry has won almost all its objectives with new tire labeling rules agreed to Oct. 1 by the European Union in Brussels.
An original draft published in April was modified in July. The main change was converting the legislation from a directive, which would need specific legislation in each member state, to a regulation that becomes effective throughout the EU.
The industry also ensured a label which combines information on rolling resistance and wet grip and expresses noise in a numerical value, and that the rules apply only to tires made after July 2012.
The rules require each member state to enforce the regulation. Other changes primarily are technical, although tire makers no longer are required to put information. radio, television, print media and billboard advertising..