As of November 1, 2012, manufacturers of passenger and light commercial vehicle tires sold in Europe are required to provide information on how their tires rate on three measures: fuel efficiency, noise and wet grip. The tire label will use a classification from the best (green category "A") to the worst performance (red category "G” for car and “F” for truck), which is to be displayed on either a sticker affixed to the tire or on a label accompanying the tire when it is delivered at point of sale and visible to the end-user.  

This initiative results from a proposal by the EU Commission to increase the safety and environmental and economic efficiency of road transport by promoting fuel-efficient and safe tires with low noise levels. In addition, the information must be available in technical promotional literature (leaflets, brochures, etc.), including on the manufacturer’s website. Tires produced before July 1, vintage tires and all the tires excluded from the regulation can still be freely sold and marketed without any of the labeling and information requirements. 

The following tires are exempt from these regulations: retreaded tires (for the time being, but similar regulations are being considered for this niche), professional off-road tires, racing tires, studded tires, vintages tires (defined as those to be fitted on vehicles registered for the first time before October 1, 1990) and low-speed tires—those with a speed rating of less than 80 km. 

For more information on the EU Tire Labeling Regulation 1222/2009, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org or download the UK Tire Federation brochure.