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Guide

The EU tire label

Regulation (EU) 2020/740 defines the label supplied with every new C1, C2 and C3 tire since 1 May 2021: three graded parameters, two pass-or-fail pictograms and a QR code to the EPREL database.

Last updated: 8 September 2026Sourced from EU, UNECE and manufacturer documents

What the label shows

ElementMeaningMeasured under
Fuel efficiency A–EClass by rolling resistance coefficientUN R117, Annex 6
Wet grip A–EClass by wet grip index relative to a reference tireUN R117, Annex 5
Noise, dB(A) and class A–CExternal rolling noise value and its class relative to the legal limit valueUN R117, Annex 3
Snow pictogramShown when the tire meets the UN R117 snow-grip minimum (the same test as the Alpine symbol)UN R117, Annex 7
Ice pictogramShown when the tire meets the minimum ice-grip index; intended for very severe climatesISO 19447
QR codeDirect access to the tire’s public entry in the EPREL product databaseRegulation (EU) 2020/740, Annex II
HeaderSize designation, load index, speed symbol and tire classRegulation (EU) 2020/740, Annex II

Class thresholds

Fuel efficiency is graded by the rolling resistance coefficient RRC in N/kN:

ClassC1C2C3
ARRC ≤ 6.5RRC ≤ 5.5RRC ≤ 4.0
B6.6 – 7.75.6 – 6.74.1 – 5.0
C7.8 – 9.06.8 – 8.05.1 – 6.0
D9.1 – 10.58.1 – 9.06.1 – 7.0
ERRC ≥ 10.6RRC ≥ 9.1RRC ≥ 7.1

Wet grip is graded by the wet grip index G:

ClassC1C2C3
AG ≥ 1.55G ≥ 1.40G ≥ 1.25
B1.40 – 1.541.25 – 1.391.10 – 1.24
C1.25 – 1.391.10 – 1.240.95 – 1.09
D1.10 – 1.240.95 – 1.090.80 – 0.94
EG ≤ 1.09G ≤ 0.94G ≤ 0.79

Noise class A means the measured value is at least 3 dB below the limit value, class B is between that and the limit, class C is above the limit. The limit values come from the type-approval rules that reference UN R117.

What changed on 1 May 2021

  • The scale went from A to G with empty classes to A to E for all three parameters and all classes; wet grip, previously C1 only, now covers C2 and C3.
  • Snow and ice pictograms and the QR code were added. The label size stayed at a minimum of 75 mm by 110 mm.
  • Tires placed on the market before 1 May 2021 did not need a new label, so older stock can still carry the previous format.
  • Tire labelling itself dates from Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009; 2021 changed the format, not the principle.

Where the label must appear

With each individual tire as a sticker, together with a product information sheet; close to the price in distance selling; and in any visual advertisement for a specific tire type. Suppliers must register the tire in EPREL before placing it on the market; the public part of the database holds the tire type identifier, the label and its classes.

Outside the scope

Among others: off-road professional tires, tires for vehicles first registered before 1 October 1990, temporary-use spares, tires rated below 80 km/h, rim diameters of 254 mm or less or 635 mm or more, studded tires, racing-only tires and second-hand tires unless imported from a third country.

How RideVector will use the label

Each tire variant in the planned data model carries its label classes, noise value and EPREL identifier, so offers can eventually be compared on the same figures the label shows, not on marketing claims.

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