"From 1 November 2012, suppliers of tyres for passenger cars, light and heavy duty vehicles (C1, C2 and C3 tyres) will have to inform consumers about fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise classes in any technical promotional material, including web sites. Retreaded tyres, offroad professional tyres and racing tyres will be exempt from this requirement.

Unlike household appliances, tyres are not always on display in the shops, so MEPs insisted that retailers be obliged to show the label to the buyer before the sale and also on or with bills. Potential incentives to promote better-performing tyres to consumers would be decided at national level. In principle, Member States would be allowed to provide incentives only for tyres ranked at least "class C" on fuel efficiency and wet grip.” (*)

ECE regulation for EU27 valid from 11/2012 on limiting/labelling tyres for: 

• Rolling resistance
  
• Noise
  
• Wet grip (for C3/Truck tyres not decided yet; status today:limit only)        

Label and rolling resistance limits*             
                                                

When a tyre rolls, rubber components are cyclically deformed. Partly the          
deformation energy is dissipated into heat which is called rolling resistance.
It can be understood as loss of energy causing additional fuel consumption.
Within the scope of the “EU-regulation” a seven band grading has been
created classifying rolling resistance product performance in kilogrammes
(tyre-rolling resistance) per tonne (total tyre load). The rolling resistance
value kg/tonne is a product performance criterion caused by the tread
and the casing of a tyre. For most tyres the rolling resistance ratio between
tread casing is situated at approximately fifty-fifty. Thresholds have been
adjusted according to the average European product performance.

Label and noise limits*

Classes 11/2012

The noise label shows the exterior coast-by noise with turned-off engine

measured at a certain distance (7 m from road centere). Following the
“EU-regulation” three band grading has been developed based on the
noise value in decibels. The reason for introducing noise labelling is
the intention to lower the EU-Health expenses based on noise nuisance.

While travelling, one will not recognise the exterior noise as interior noise
as there is no direct link between both.

Timeline of EU-Label introduction*

*European Union press release 28.09.2009