Basic Information on the New Tyre Labelling Regulation (EU) 2020/740 of 1 May 2021

The goal is to improve safety along with the economic and ecological efficiency of road traffic by promoting fuel-efficient and safe tyres with a low rolling noise level. The regulation is intended to help the end user to make a conscious choice when buying tyres by including aspects of this regulation in the decision to purchase along with the usual factors. To this end, the regulation stipulates that it is obligatory to provide information on the energy efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise of tyres in relation to:

• The effects on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle in connection with the rolling resistance of the tyre
• The effects on driving safety in connection with the wet grip properties of the tyre
• The external noise level of the tyre (measured in decibels)

This information must be provided for the tyres of passenger cars, as well as light and heavy commercial vehicles. The label is intended to enable consumers to obtain information on a broader basis before purchasing new tyres and include these criteria with those of other tyre tests in their decision to buy. The labelling requirement applies from 1 May 2021 for all tyres produced after this date.

Consumers must be aware, however, that actual fuel consumption and safety on the roads depend heavily on their style of driving. An ecological driving style can significantly reduce fuel consumption. The prescribed tyre pressures should be complied with and checked regularly in order to achieve optimum fuel efficiency and wet grip. A safe braking distance should be kept under all circumstances.

Labelling requirements from 1 May 2021 for all tyres produced after this date.

Labelling requirements of Kumho Tyres:

• All Kumho tyres - for cars and light commercial vehicles - produced   from 1 May on 2021 must be fitted with a label on the tread of the tyre. Where applicable, Kumho Tyres will enclose an identification sheet - for the dealer and consumer - with each batch of tyres.
• All technical advertising materials from Kumho Tyres (price lists, brochures, websites etc.) must in future be labelled accordingly. Price data transmitted electronically must in future also contain the appropriate information.

Labelling requirements of the tyre dealer (retailer) prior to sale:

• It must be ensured that the tyres visible to customers at the POS have a label attached to them or that an information sheet is on hand in the immediate vicinity which can be shown to the end user prior to purchasing.
• The information on the fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise classes must also be available during sales procedures in which the tyres offered for sale cannot be shown to the customer. This information must also be provided on or with the invoice.

Labelling requirements of the vehicle supplier and vehicle dealer:

• They must state the wet grip properties, fuel efficiency class and external rolling noise of tyres that deviate from the tyre type normally fitted on the basic vehicle.
• As soon as the customer is offered a choice with regard to the tyre size or type to be fitted on the standard rim, or the customer has a choice with regard to the rim and tyre size, the labelling details must be imparted prior to making the sale. Only in the event that the rims and/or tyres offered as an alternative have exactly the same properties as those provided as standard equipment with the new vehicle is there no obligation to provide the labelling information anew.

Which criteria are assessed by the new EU tyre label?

Consumers must be aware that, although important, the three legally embedded criteria are not the only performance characteristics for tyres.

For this reason, the tyre tests in conventional (German) automotive magazines, such as ADAC MOTORWELT, AUTO BILD, AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT and AUTO ZEITUNG, continue to be of great importance for assessing the performance capability of a tyre!

Here is an overview showing you which criteria are recorded under which conditions:

Test Criteria	Tyre label	Tyre tests
Dry road surface
Driving stability
Handling
Braking
Wet road surface
Braking
Driving stability
Handling
Aquaplaning
Directional control
Tyre noise
Inside
Outside
Rolling resistance
Tyre wear
Tyre noise
PAH in tyres
Fast running test

Which tyres are affected by the regulation?

Class C1: Tyres for passenger cars

Class C2: Tyres for light commercial vehicles

Class C3: Tyres for heavy commercial vehicles

Re-treaded tyres:
Requirements for re-treaded tyres apply, provided that a suitable testing method for measuring the performance of these tyres has been defined in accordance with article 13.

This regulation does not apply to:

• Tyres for extreme off-road conditions
• Tyres designed to be fitted only to vehicles registered for the first time before 1 October 1990
• T-type temporary use spare tyres
• Tyres with a speed rating less than 80 km/h
• Tyres for a nominal rim diameter ≤ 254 mm (10˝) or ≥ 635 mm (25˝)
• Tyres fitted with additional devices to improve traction, e.g. studded tyres
• Tyres designed to be fitted only to vehicles intended exclusively for racing
• Used tyres, provided that these tyres are not imported from another country.

When is Kumho Tyres planning to label tyres?

Regulation (EU) 2020/740 prescribes labelling with the new label from 1 May 2021 for all tyres produced after 1 May 2021 for passenger cars, as well as light and heavy commercial vehicles. Kumho Tyres will already apply the new label to all tyres produced after 15 February 2021 with DOT 0721.

Can I as a dealer sell Kumho tyres from my stores after 1 May 2021 with the old label?

Kumho tyres in storage that were produced before May 2021 ( tyres with a production code (DOT) earlier than 1821 – 18th week of 2021) can still be sold with the old labelling after 1 May 2021 and do not need to be relabelled.