Tyre labelling today, ESPR DPP in preparation
The tyre industry is already accustomed to regulated product labelling: the Tyre Labelling Regulation (EU) 2020/740 has required an efficiency label for all passenger car, light commercial and heavy truck tyres since May 2021 — rating rolling resistance (A–E), wet grip (A–E) and external rolling noise (dB). These label and EPREL data are a reliable starting point for later ESPR DPP requirements.
Tyres are listed in the ESPR working plan 2025-2030. The later delegated act will determine whether and when recycled content, abrasion emissions, material data and service-life data become mandatory in the tyre DPP. All deadlines at a glance →
Microplastics: tyre abrasion in focus
Tyre wear is a significant source of unintentional microplastic release. The Tyre Labelling Regulation already notes that abrasion and mileage may be added once reliable, accurate and reproducible test methods are available. For the ESPR DPP, data on abrasion behaviour, mileage and material composition are therefore plausible candidates, but not final mandatory DPP fields yet.
Manufacturers who already test to UNECE Regulation R117 (rolling resistance and wet grip) and document their rubber compounds under REACH and internal material specifications already have relevant source data for later DPP requirements.
Possible data foundation for the tyre DPP
- Efficiency classes (existing) — Rolling resistance A–E, wet grip A–E, external rolling noise in dB — already mandatory under (EU) 2020/740.
- Recycled and secondary material shares — Relevant material shares in rubber compound and components where the later delegated act requires them.
- Microplastic abrasion rate — Measured or modelled abrasion emissions once harmonised test methods and limit or information requirements are set.
- Service life and mileage — Possible mileage and service-life information aligned with future abrasion and label information.
- Material composition — Rubber type (natural rubber, synthetic rubber), carbon black type, steel cord, textile cord, SVHC content.
- Retreadability — Suitability for retreading, especially relevant for truck and bus tyres once suitable test methods apply.
Associations and standards
- ETRMA — European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association — positioning on ESPR DPP and microplastics
- EUR-Lex Tyre Labelling — Primary source for rolling resistance, wet grip, external noise, QR code and future abrasion/mileage parameters
- European Commission ESPR working plan — Official prioritisation of tyres in the ESPR working plan 2025-2030
- European Commission Tyres — Official product page for tyre labelling, EPREL, retreading, abrasion and mileage
- WdK — German Rubber Industry Association — guidance on REACH and substance declaration
- UNECE — R117 — international regulation for rolling resistance and wet grip as DPP measurement basis
- EUR-Lex Euro 7 — Regulatory context for tyre abrasion as a non-exhaust emission
German production hubs
German tyre and testing environments collect data that may become relevant for later ESPR DPP requirements on abrasion, mileage and material composition:
- Hanover — Tyre manufacturer, commercial-vehicle and supplier environment with demand for label, EPREL, material, PCF, abrasion and retreading data
- Aachen — Automotive and testing environment for road trials, laboratory values, modelling and reliable documentation of tyre-performance data
Frequently asked questions
- When does the DPP become mandatory for tyres?
- Tyres are prioritised in the ESPR working plan 2025-2030. A binding DPP obligation arises only through the later delegated act. Existing tyre labelling under (EU) 2020/740 has applied since May 2021.
- Are winter and summer tyres treated the same?
- The Tyre Labelling Regulation already uses C1, C2 and C3 tyre classes plus snow and ice grip pictograms. Whether a tyre DPP directly adopts that categorisation will be decided by the later delegated act.
- What does retreading mean for the DPP?
- Retreaded tyres, particularly for trucks and buses, are an important circular economy topic. Tyre labelling foresees requirements once suitable test methods are available; whether the DPP contains concrete retreading fields is still open.
- How is microplastic abrasion measured in the DPP?
- Tyre labelling can add abrasion and mileage information only once reliable and reproducible methods are available. Euro 7 increases pressure on abrasion measurement, but the concrete DPP data fields still depend on the tyre delegated act.