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UK Coalition Supports Labelling Tyres for Quieter, More Fuel Efficient Transport | 16 Feb 2009

Environmental Protection UK¹ and partner organisations² have written to members of the EU Committee on Industry Research and Energy, meeting today in the European Parliament to discuss consumer labelling for tyres. We are supporting a clear, visible label for tyres, which includes a simple colour coded noise rating as well as a rating for rolling resistance.

Quieter tyres are essential if the UK is to meet EU requirements to reduce the exposure of populations to annoying and harmful noise from traffic³. Recent research has shown that traffic noise poses a real risk to our health.⁴ The UK noise maps⁵ show that many of us are exposed to very high levels of traffic noise, which can affect our health as well as disturb us at home, work and study.

The precedent is being set for including noise and rolling resistance in a single regulation, following on as this does from the Tyres in Type Approval Requirements for the General Safety of Motor Vehicles COD 2008/100, which looks set to address tyre safety, noise and energy efficiency (due to be finalised in early March)⁶.

"Traffic noise blights neighbourhoods in our cities, towns and villages – it can irritate us, interfere with communication and disturb our sleep – all at a cost to our health and productivity" said Mary Stevens, Policy Officer at Environmental Protection UK.

"Clear consumer labelling will show fleet operators and individual drivers, that we can all contribute to quieter, cleaner transport and a happier, healthier society. While we await a decision on labelling, we are encouraging all drivers to reduce noise and save fuel by choosing quieter, lower rolling resistance tyres."

More: Mary Stevens Tel: 01273 878781 / 07730 061850

Notes for Editors

1. Environmental Protection UK is the environmental protection charity supported by pollution control professionals. We have been working for a cleaner, quieter, healthier world since 1898.
2. See Letter to EU Committee on Industry Research and Energy about Quieter Tyre Labelling from Environmental Protection UK, Environmental Transport Association, UK Noise Association and Noise Abatement Society .
   Quieter tyre labelling is also supported by Living Streets, LACORS and the UK Pedestrians Association.
3. Under the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC (END) noise action planning sets out a procedure designed to manage the effects of noise from transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic and from sites of industrial activity and to reduce it if necessary, which will avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects of exposure on people.
   
   The 1999/2000 BRE Noise Attitude Survey found 84% of respondents heard road traffic noise and 40% were bothered, annoyed or disturbed to some extent. 28% of respondents reported that road traffic noise at their homes had got worse in the last five years.
4. Effects of Noise on Physical Health Risks in London. 2008
5. Noise Maps England, show, for example, 15 – 16% of population in London, 14% in Southampton and 14% in Manchester are exposed to road traffic noise above 65dB(A) – a level deemed by the World Health Organisation to harm health.
6. See Press Release Can Tyres reduce CO2 and Noise