The EU has rubber-stamped the tyre noise, rolling resistance, wet grip and labelling regulations that have been the subject of public discussion since the beginning of 2008. Despite complaints from some leading premium tyre manufacturers that the balance of improvements demanded is simply unworkable in the timeframe given, the commission said it should assess the feasibility of “strengthening the requirements for wet grip for tyres, and if appropriate, propose an amendment to this Regulation.” The decisions follow the EU’s adoption of a report which includes calls for tyre rolling resistance, noise and safety regulations as part of “a simpler, standardised system for the type-approval of motor vehicles.” The new regulation will reportedly apply from 1 November 2011, a year earlier than the commission proposed.

Some of the rules on tyre standards have also been revised. Measures to regulate tyre rolling resistance and monitor inflation pressures appear to have been made stricter. The rule also makes the installation of tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) compulsory on new private cars. MEPs did not vote to extend this TPMS requirement to trucks, but they did beef up the rules on the effectiveness and reliability of such systems, without preferring either direct or indirect pressure monitoring technology.