Tyres too are called upon to contribute to environmental efficiency

On 1^st of May 2021, Regulation (EU) 2020/740 (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulation") on the labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other parameters, amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009" entered into force.

Such a Regulation is based on the assumption that the characteristics of tyres, besides enhancing health protection through their improved safety, can make a "crucial" contribution to the environmental and economic efficiency of road transport in the European area. Consequently, the European Union, by implementing the Regulation, has set itself the objective of providing information that enables users to "choose tyres that are safer, less noisy, durable and consume less fuel".
The tool used by the Regulation to provide the users with acknowledgement on tyre characteristics in relation to fuel consumption and the parameters considered is the improvement of the tyre Label, which must graphically show symbols informing users about the performance of a tyre or a batch. This is aimed to make labels more visible and informative on the characteristics and performance of a tyre, for example on snow and ice.
The Regulation displays for both tyre manufacturers and distributors a number of product information requirements that the Label must meet.
The need to provide users with more details on fuel efficiency and other tyre parameters also includes that vehicle manufacturers and distributors must

• provide the Labels of tyres offered with the vehicle or already fitted on the vehicle;
• provide the relevant technical and promotional material;
• ensure that the Product Information Sheet is available.

The Regulation requires these information obligations to be carried out prior to the sale of the vehicle. Consequently, in order to ensure and prove that the automotive sector is compliant with the obligations imposed by the Regulation, it will be necessary to modify the standard contracts used and the methods followed in the selling process. Similarly, even the contracts used and the methods followed by the sellers and distributors of vehicles when providing technical assistance to vehicles themselves, where such assistance includes the sale of tyres, must be reviewed.