Brussels, 02/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - Further to a second trialogue meeting with European Commission, the negotiators of the committee on energy of the European Parliament and of the Swedish Presidency of the Council reached a political agreement, on Thursday 1 October, on the legislative plans for the labelling of tyres, which was amended at first reading in April this year (Belet report, EUROPE 9888). The labelling of tyres, as for household appliances, will specify their fuel saving performance using a scale from "A" (green category for the most ecologically-friendly products) to "G" (red category for the least environmental products). The labelling will also provide information on wet adhesion performance and external road noise. As of 1 November 2012, all providers of new tyres for private cars (C1), light utility vehicles (C2) and heavy utility vehicles (C3) must inform consumers of these three aspects in all technical promotional documentation. Retreaded tyres, "all-terrain" tyres and racing tyres are exempted from this obligation. In addition, all C1 and C2 tyres made after 1 July 2012 must feature a sticker or a label when they leave the factory and before distribution to retailers or garages. The retailers, in turn, are obliged to show the purchaser all labels before the sale and to refer to it on invoices. As regards sound levels, the Parliament negotiated a new design for the external road noise pictogram, which will be indicated by an increasing number of black waves coming from a speaker. Incentives for using the highest green performance tyres will be decided upon nationally. In theory, the member states are authorised to provide incentives to ensure that all tyres reach at least category "C" for energy efficiency and wet adhesion performance. The compromise negotiated on Thursday still requires the approval of the Council before it can be put to the plenary. (E.H./transl.fl)