SEOUL, South Korea (July 7, 2011)—South Korea plans to start voluntary tire labeling in November, and will make it mandatory in November 2012, the same time labeling begins in the European Union, according to Lanxess A.G.
The company said the South Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy announced the decision on June 15. The regulation will start with passenger and light truck tires, and later be applied to truck and bus tires.
The EU accounts for about 28 percent of all South Korean tire exports, or 17.2 million units in 2010, Lanxess said. The labeling will be needed for tires to be eligible to enter the EU trade zone.