Major tyre supply problems
There have been numerous changes to the regulations governing tyre manufacture and supply recently and this will be continuing through until 2020 .We first reported on the changes made to tyre noise and economy specifications in 2009.
Tyre noise regulation
Firstly and by far the most more worrying change is that there has been an introduction, from Jan 2010, of a ban on all tyres containing Aromatic Oils, also known as PAH, which are considered to be carcinogenic.
There is more detail in the document created by the ETMA
This has created a situation where companies supplying specifically to the EU have had to redesign their processes to comply. Together with a worldwide rubber shortage, created by extremely bad weather in rubber producing countries, it has only served to further a longstanding shortage of tyre supply worldwide.
A knock on effect from the tyre shortage has meant that most US domestic production can easily be sold within the domestic market and they have no legislation, yet, requiring them to conform with a PAH ban.
Consequently EU suppliers are now unable to import non-complying tyres, which carry a £5000 fine, and private importation would mean confiscation. When current stocks are exhausted there will be no more supply of tyres, especially of the whitewall and white letter market, which are not manufactured to the new specification. Imported tyres for later model vehicles will also still be required to carry both E and S markings.
Details of the actual EUNECE requirements for economy and noise ratings:-
By 2012 it will become mandatory for tyres to be labelled to allow the consumer to make an informed choice. All tyres, designed for post 1980 vehicles, will be required to have both E marks and the new S mark on the tyre sidewall. This is being slowly introduced by tyre section size with October 2011 being the current start date.
New vehicles will also be required to have an onboard tyre pressure monitoring system and we are not yet aware if this may generate problems with non standard wheel and tyre fitment.
More details here from the Tyre Industry
http://www.etrma.org/public/activitiestyreg.asp
and here from a Motor Trade perspective
http://uk.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/are-you-and-your-tyres-ready-for-2012/
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