EU decision concerning tyre labelling: Significant step forward for consumers and an opportunity for Nokian Tyres

Bulletin 26.11.2009 EU decision concerning tyre labelling: Significant step forward for consumers and an opportunity for Nokian Tyres According to a decision approved by the European Parliament yesterday on 25th November, from November 2012 tyres will have to be labelled with their fuel efficiency, wet grip and rolling noise performance. This new quality classification system is similar to that used in modern household appliances. - For years, we have already been carrying out sustained development work in questions related to tyre safety and eco-friendliness. This classification is a challenge, but the decision is a very positive one, and, for a manufacturer such as ourselves concentrating on high-quality, specialised products, it brings many opportunities. The clear labelling indicating tyre rolling resistance and wet grip classification and the noise value will help consumers to decide which tyre to purchase, says Kim Gran, President and CEO of Nokian Tyres. Tyre labelling will use quality classes ranging from best performance (green ‘A’ class) to worst (red ‘G’ class). The classification labelling indicates how much a tyre affects the car’s fuel efficiency and how it performs in wet conditions. It will also give its external rolling noise in decibels. From 1 November 2012, suppliers of tyres for passenger cars and light and heavy duty vehicles will have to inform consumers about fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise classes in all technical promotional material. Re-treaded tyres, off-road professional tyres and racing tyres will be exempt from this requirement. All tyres produced after 1 July 2012 must have a quality classification sticker or other labelling when distributed from the factory to a shop or a garage. Nokian Tyres at the forefront of development Car tyres have a significant effect on emission, the reduction of which the EU has paid great attention to in recent years. The share of tyre rolling resistance in a car’s fuel consumption can be up to 20%, so by improving rolling resistance, it is possible considerably to reduce a vehicle’s fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions. Rolling resistance refers to the energy consumed in the deformation that takes place when the tyre grips the road. This deformation, and the amount of energy it requires, can be regulated with structural and material choices in tyre design. Light rolling corresponds to lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. At the moment, the best tyres in the market are the ‘C’ class based on the future rolling resistance classification. Nokian Tyres has performed excellently in challenging development work. In car magazine tests in the Nordic countries, Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tyres have been in the top class with respect to rolling resistance. In all this year’s test reviews, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R friction tyre had the lowest i.e. the best rolling resistance. Light rolling corresponds to lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. With Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tyres, you can save up to 0.5 litres of fuel/100 km and at the same time reduce CO2 emissions by 12 g/km. In addition to fuel consumption, tyre noise is another issue that impacts significantly on the environment when a tyre is being used. Nokian Tyres’ tread patterns incorporate many features that reduce noise. The positioning of the tread blocks, circumferential platforms in the bottom of the main grooves and noise cavities all dampen tyre noise. Nokian Tyres keeps abreast of the developments in environmental and safety legislation in Finland, the European Union and Russia, and anticipates the impact of regulations under preparation. As early as 2005, Nokian Tyres already met the EU regulation forbidding the use of high-aromatic (HA) oils that does not enter into force until 1 Jan 2010, when the company became the first tyre manufacturer in the world to abandon the use of such oils in its production. More on this topic: Brave deeds for the environment http://www.nokiantyres.com/environment Rolling resistance http://www.nokiantyres.com/rolling_resistance Nokian Tyres, proactive with REACH requirements http://www.nokiantyres.com/reach-requirements European Parliament: Tyre labelling: helping consumers make an informed choice http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/051-65051-327-11-48-909-20091123IPR65050-23-11-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm For further information, contact: Nokian Tyres plc Teppo Huovila, Product Development Manager, tel. +358 10 401 7701 teppo.huovila@nokiantyres.com