New EU Law For Safer Tyres

The countdown to 2012 is well underway, but not just for the Olympics. New EU regulations have been passed specifying that all new tyres sold from November 2012 must carry certain information. Manufacturers and retailers will have to ensure that customers are aware of, amongst other things, wet braking, noise levels and fuel efficiency when they purchase tyres.

This new grading system is being put into place to compel manufacturers to meet higher standards when producing tyres. This means that many tyres at the bottom end of the market will become illegal. So why the wait?

Tyre manufacturer Michelin described tyre design as a "highly complex" process. Time is needed for research to be conducted into the best combination of components and groove patterns, so that tyres meet the new requirements. 

The new regulations will raise awareness amongst consumers about the impact that different tyres can have not only on the environment, but also on fuel bills. It is thought that the use of more efficient rubber will considerably reduce the level of CO2 emissions and lower fuel consumption. So whilst replacing tyres could be expensive initially, it could cut costs for motorists in the long run.

Customers will also be better informed about the tyres they are using, meaning demand for more efficient, less noisy tyres will increase steadily as consumers become more confident in their purchases. Choosing high quality tyre will become the priority, as opposed to choosing the cheapest. As BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee says,

"It may well be that in the future, we are as well informed about our tyres as we are about our fridges, TVs, and indeed, our cars themselves."