Tyre labelling gives transparency to tyre buyers, enabling them to make purchasing decisions based on accurate economic, environmental and safety factors.  However, the legislation can only be successful if effective enforcement takes place. These were the key messages that EU legislators and senior representatives from the European road transport industry received during a panel discussion at the Goodyear Dunlop Symposium on Fuel Efficiency in Transport, held recently in Brussels. 

Fazilet Cinaralp, Secretary General, European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association, Henk van Tuyl, director Tyre Technology, Commercial Tyres, Goodyear Dunlop Europe, and Erik Huisman, Fleet manager, Bakker Logisitiek, were the panelists for this discussion.   

Fazilet Cineralp stressed that the label is particularly good as it follows an integrated approach, with both environmental (rolling resistance and external noise) and safety (wet grip) related aspects being addressed. 

Henk van Tuyl, pointed out that the label covers only three out of the more than 50 performance criteria that Goodyear Dunlop measures in assessing its tyres.  He made a call to local regulators to enforce labelling and have a set of penalties in place for anyone breaking the regulations. 

Erik Huisman welcomed the label as it will give him a simple tool to compare fuel efficiency, wet braking performance and external noise levels.  The environmental criteria, he explained, was of particular importance for Bakker Logistiek as it would help the company to strengthen its environmental performance. 

The panel further agreed that the feasibility of the inclusion of retreaded tyres into the labeling legislation should be looked into and that EU member states need to put effective instruments in place to enforce the new legislation. 

'Labelling is a very positive step.  However it is vital that it is nationally monitored and strong enforcement measures are taken if inaccurate information is found,' said Michel Rzonzef, vice president Commercial Tyre Business Unit, Goodyear Dunlop Europe 

'It is important that fleets understand the information that labels carry because it will allow them to choose tyres that will provide them with the best economy and also relate to safety. Our recent survey of European truck operators showed that 92% of fleets measure their fuel consumption, with nearly 70% of those who took part having a voluntary fuel efficiency target.  Labelling will go a long way to helping those fleets achieve their targets,' he added.