ESPR Preparatory Study and Impact Assessment support study on tyres

DG Environment launched a Ecodesign preparatory study on ‘tyres` to assess the feasibility of proposing ESPR requirements for this product group, also considering the parallel ongoing review of the Tyres Labelling Regulation, and potential mandatory public procurement criteria. As explained in the next sections, the study will investigate the potential environmental improvements that can be introduced to the product, including relevant aspects to the circular economy (durability, reparability, retreadability,...). This study will provide the necessary information for the identification of the policy options to be analysed in the subsequent impact assessment. The overall objectives of the study can be summarised as follows:

• Conduct an ecodesign preparatory study analysing the technical, economic, environmental, market and societal aspects of tyres following the MEErP methodology Tasks 1-7;
• Carry out an Impact Assessment support study to support the potential adoption of the regulatory measure(s);
• Based on the findings of the Preparatory and Impact Assessment studies, where appropriate, provide input and support to the development of a draft proposal of ESPR Delegated Act(s) for tyres; as the tyres are already covered by a labelling regulation (Regulation (EU) 2020/740) with respect to fuel efficiency and other parameters, currently under review, close alignment to this work is needed to avoid overlaps between the two regulations; under the ESPR, the preparation of a Digital Product Passport or an equivalent system for tyres seems therefore more appropriate.
• Provide ad-hoc technical expertise and technical support to the Commission.

The following topics will be investigated in this study:

• Entire life cycle: Product carbon and environmental footprints
• Manufacture: The impact of tyre manufacturing on deforestation due to the use of natural rubber; Potential alternatives to natural rubber; The use of substances of concern in the manufacturing of the tyres (for example aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs) and the presence of substances of concern in final products; Recycled content
• Use phase: Tyre microplastic emission (or tyre abrasion) during the use phase (taking into account the new developments of UN Regulation 117 on that); Tyre noise emissions (taking into account the performance criterium of UN Regulation 117); Products durability (mileage under regular use conditions); Tyre reliability (taking into account the already existing safety performance criteria of UN Regulation 117); Reparability; Tyre retreadability
• Waste phase: Tyre end-of-life collection; Recyclability