Conti contributes to tyre labelling debate

ERJ staff report (DS)

Hanover, Germany -- Continental has suggested that the EU tyre labelling requirement can not be met, unless a decision is made soon on the precise form of the label.

A spokesman for the company said, "So far all that has been decided is that there will be a label for tyres." The design and format of the label has not yet been decided, but it is supposed to be on all tyres and associated publicity material before new EU-wide laws on rolling resistance and noise come into effect from November 2012. The spokesman added, "Also, to date no agreement has been reached on a precise and meaningful measuring process for the braking characteristics."

The spokesman outlined the complexity of the problem, in terms of the wide range of sizes and fitments, concluding, " "We are therefore calling on the German federal government to use its voice in the Council of Ministers to press for the labelling to be displayed in the showroom, rather than on every individual tyre in the warehouse."

Conti reiterated its concerns about enforcement, with the spokesman saying, "As long as the authorities have no way of checking or imposing sanctions, the whole thing is not as effective as it might sound." Conti continued, "Manufacturers of cheap tyres from East Asia, in particular, already use symbols on their tyres which promise performance that has nothing to do with reality. So why should things be any different with a tyre label? "

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release from Continental