Standards Watchdog Working to Regulate Tire Market
EghtesadOnline: In a bid to ensure tire quality and promote road safety, local tire makers are required by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) to meet certain standards and specify the features of their products by attaching labels to their goods.
In recent years, ISIRI has pushed for the implementation of upgraded automotive standards known as the Islamic Republic Car Assessment Program (IRCAP).
The system is scheduled to come into full force by January 2019 and will include 30 new regulations with the total number of automotive standards reaching 85, reported local automotive website Asbe Bokhar.
Out of the 85 standards, five are about the quality of tires. The label requirements are part of the total 85 criteria specified by the ISIRI, according to Financial Tribune.
The standards, inspired by a regulation introduced by the EU Commission in 2009, stipulate that each tire sold in the market is required to detail information on fuel consumption, wet grip and noise classification.
From December 22, carmakers are obliged to only use tires which have met the standards.
Standards
Saeed Taqvaei, CEO of Rubber Industries Engineering and Research Company says tire makers have six months to comply with the regulations.
Taqvaei adds that RIERCO has started collaborations with Iran Test & Research Center for Auto Parts Company (ITRAC) to assess the tires used in vehicles.
ITRAC is one of the private firms offering automotive auditing services in Iran.
He also says, “In addition to cooperation with car manufacturers, RIERCO will work with ISIRI to implement the regulations.”
Local tire makers have until the final days of 2018 to make the required adjustments to live up to the aforementioned standards.
Informed Choices
The standards introduce labeling requirements to inform consumers of the quality of the tire they intend to purchase.
The label holds details on fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise caused by tires.
Tires play a key role in a vehicle’s fuel consumption. Tires with lower rolling resistance can largely reduce a car’s fuel consumption levels.
Higher wet grip rating helps a vehicle to stop faster on rainy days when roads are wet with water and brakes are applied.
The third factor, the external rolling noise of tires, measures the noise emissions of tires in decibels. Tires with lower noise ratings can reduce noise pollution especially in big cities where vehicles are abundant.
According to the European Tire and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association, the EU Tire Labeling Regulation (EC/1222/2009) aims to improve the safety, the economic and environmental efficiency of road transport by promoting fuel-efficient and safe tires with low noise levels.
Furthermore, it allows end-users to make more informed choices when purchasing tires by considering this information along with other factors normally considered during the purchasing decision process.