Tyre labelling and low-carbon strategy on the Energy Council’s agenda on 4 March

The Regulation on tyre labelling and the long-term strategy (LTS) for a low-carbon economy will be the key themes of the EU Energy Council meeting in Brussels on 4 March 2019. Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Housing, will represent Finland at the meeting.

The energy ministers will seek to establish a general approach to the Regulation on tyre labelling.   Tyre labelling requirements will be updated to ensure that consumers will receive harmonised information on tyre properties in future. The new labelling requirements would apply to new tyres of passenger cars, vans and heavy duty vehicles (C1, C2, C3).

Discussions regarding the regulation in the Council’s working group have been productive, and preliminary agreement was reached on at the Coreper meeting on 20 February.

“Clear tyre labels will make it easier for consumers to compare the safety and economy of different tyres, and to choose more environmentally friendly tyres,” explains Kimmo Tiilikainen, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Housing.

Tyre manufacturers, importers and distributors will be required to comply with the new tyre labelling regulation. Information on the energy efficiency, noise and on the safety related properties of tyres must be indicated on the tyres, in sales brochures, in other visual advertisements and on the Internet.  One of the objectives of the labelling requirement is to encourage tyre manufacturers to improve the technical properties of their products.

From Finland’s perspective it is important that the labelling requirement was extended to include information on the snow and ice performance of tyres. The new energy labelling will provide information on the suitability of tyres to Nordic conditions, thereby increasing consumer confidence in tyre labelling.

Policy debate on the long-term strategy (LTS) for a low-carbon economy

The energy ministers will hold a policy debate on the Commission Communication (28 November 2018) on a “long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy”.

Based on the questions prepared by the Presidency, ministers will discuss the structural changes needed in the energy system to achieve major reductions in emissions, ways in which new technologies can contribute to the transition into a low-carbon economy, and methods for implementing the transition into a low-carbon society in a way that is fair and just for people and regions, and the role national energy and climate plans play in all of the above.

In terms of efforts to achieve a low-carbon economy, Finland emphasises a market-based approach and comprehensive development of the operating environment. The EU emissions trading system should play an increasingly central role in the implementation of climate policy. The forthcoming transformation will also require significant additional investment in research, development and innovation related to low-carbon technologies. To ensure social acceptability, it is important that the transition into a carbon-neutral society is fair and just.

Discussion on the long-term strategy is expected to continue during Finland’s Presidency. Policy measures to achieve the climate and energy targets for 2030 play a key role in the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy in 2050. Consequently, the National Energy and Climate Plans for 2030 will be highly relevant during Finland’s Presidency. 

Inquiries:
Riku Huttunen, Director General, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 431 6518
Eleonoora Eilittä, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Transport and Communications, tel. +358 29 534 2089 (tyre labellings)
Katja Tuokko, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 465 5533 (EU coordination)
Vilhartti Hanhilahti, Special Adviser to Minister Tiilikainen, tel.  +358 40 836 4823