Plates/Labelling

SUBSECTIONS

UG1

Vehicle Plates

UG2

   C02 Labelling

UG3

   Tyre Labelling

Every base vehicle will have a manufacturers plate fitted detailing at least the following information:

• Name of the manufacturer,
• EC Type-Approval number,
• VIN,
• Maximum permitted laden mass of the vehicle,
• Maximum permitted laden mass of the combination if the vehicle is used for towing,
• Maximum permitted road mass for each axle, listed in order from front to rear,
• In the case of a semi-trailer, the maximum permitted mass on the fifth wheel king pin.

Body Builder Vehicle Plate:

Each body builder shall attach to each completed vehicle a 2nd or subsequent stage, manufacturers’ plate. This plate must be firmly attached, in a conspicuous and readily accessible position. It must be close to the base vehicle manufacturer’s plate on a part not subject to replacement in use. It must show clearly and indelibly the following information in the order listed:

• Name of the manufacturer,
• Sections 1, 3 and 4 of the IVA or NSSTA approval number,The stage of approval,
• Bodywork identification number,
• Body Builder’s VIN,
• Maximum permissible laden mass of the vehicle (*),
• Maximum permissible laden mass of the combination (where the vehicle is permitted to tow a trailer) (*),
• Maximum permissible mass on each axle, listed in order from front to rear (*),
• In the case of a semi-trailer or centre axle trailer, the maximum permitted mass on the coupling device (*).

(*) Only where the value has changed during the current stage of approval.

N.B. The minimum height of the characters used on the Body Builders vehicle plate is 4mm.

Each body builder shall develop a procedure describing the generation of vehicle plates:

This procedure shall include at least the following;

• Describe the manufacture of these plates (either in-house or external manufacture).
• The responsibility for the plates.
• The layout of the plates.
• Process for the correction of incorrect plates attached to a vehicle.
• Type of plate eg. for swap body (de-mountable superstructure) vehicles.

Bodywork Identification Plate:

In addition to the body builder’s vehicle plate, each body builder shall attach to the body, tank, crane etc., subject to the build, a plate identifying the bodywork. This plate must be firmly attached, in a conspicuous and readily accessible position on a part not subject to replacement in use.

This plate shall contain at least the following information;

• Name of manufacturer,
• Bodywork identification number,
• NSAI AVBB – body builder number.

N.B. The minimum height of the characters used on the Body Identification Plate is 4mm.

The requirements for anyone displaying a car for sale or lease can be found in the legislation “The Passenger Car (Fuel consumption and CO2 Emissions Information) Regulations 2001”. These regulations were further amended by Statutory Instrument 2013 No 65, which took effect 11 February 2013.  In particular:

• Regulation 3 extended the application of the Passenger Car (Fuel Consumption and CO2 Emissions Information) Regulations 2001 to vehicles that do not emit CO2, hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide;
• Regulation 5 reduced the minimum height of the mandatory text box (on the label) from 125mm to 80mm

Additionally, VCA have created some guidance notes on the display and advertising of fuel consumption: (version 7, last revised November 2014).

There are three main types of label available at this time. Clink on the link for details on the information given on the labels.

1.Label for conventional fuel cars	2.Label for pure electric cars	3.Label for plug-in electric cars

best performance  ——————–> worst performance
Vehicles with tyres from Class A stop in the shortest distance from 50mph, whilst tyres from Class B take an additional 3-6 metres. This trend continues for the subsequent values and results in an increase in braking distance of over 18 metres from a vehicle in Class A to Class F. It is key that this crucial safety value appears on the label to enable the motorist to have a fuller picture of the tyres performance. A label that only highlighted rolling resistance and noise could give a false impression of the tyres performance. For wet braking Categories D and G are not used so any tyre with longer stopping distances in the wet will be rated as E or F.

Label indicating a tyre’s wet grip performance rating.

Fuel Efficiency:
One of the forces influencing the fuel efficiency of a motorised vehicle is the rolling resistance of the tyres.   A tyre from Class C will use 1 litre more fuel than that of a tyre from Class B over a journey of 625 miles.
The labels measure rolling resistance using a ranking system that ranges from
A                                   G

Most fuel efficient  ——————–>  Least fuel efficient

Label indicating a tyre’s fuel efficiency rating.

Exterior Noise:
Traffic noise is an environmental concern. The new labels split tyres into three sound categories, based on the noise they produce in reference to new EU regulations, to be introduced in 2016.
1 black sound wave = least noise produced, already compliant with the future tighter EU limit
2 black sound waves = already compliant with the future EU limit.
3 black sound waves = compliant with the current EU limit.

Label indicating a tyre’s exterior rolling noise rating.

Labelling responsibilities of distributors, suppliers & manufacturers
Distributors (retailers selling to end users) should ensure that:

• Each tyre bears the label sticker in a clearly visible position, or,
• Before the sale of the tyre, the label information will be shown to the end user, and a label must be clearly displayed in the immediate proximity of the tyre or provided when tyres offered for sale are not visible to the customer.
• Label values for any tyres purchased must also be stated on or with the bill to the customer.

Tyre suppliers should ensure that:

• When tyres are delivered, they are accompanied by a performance label or sticker for each size and type of tyre in the delivery.
• All sales promotion and technical material show the label values for each tyre in an understandable way.

Vehicle manufacturers should ensure that:

• They provide label values to consumers where a choice of different tyres can be made on a new vehicle

The websites of both manufacturers and distributors must also show the label information for tyres offered.

E-marking on tyres:

What is an E-marked tyre?
An E-mark confirms that a tyre meets minimum EU or International (UNECE) standards in relation to its dimensions, load and speed rating. E-mark tyres have been tested to ensure adequate tread depth and performance ability.

All motor vehicles tyres in the EU must be E-marked, whether new or retreaded.

Here’s how to read your tyre in relation to E-marks:

• The E-mark consists of an ‘E’ or ‘e’ and a number within a circle or a rectangle
• A capital ‘E’ denotes UNECE approval, a small ‘e’ EU approval. Either is acceptable.
• The number following the ‘E’ or ‘e’ denotes the Member State that granted approval.
• Following the circle or rectangle is a type approval certificate number, issued for tyre size and type.

Roadworthiness check of E-marked tyres:
The check on E-marking of tyres is one of a number of new NCT test items introduced following the completion of a public consultation process in 2009.

What should I do if I have recently purchased tyres that are not E-marked?
It is illegal to fit non-E-marked tyres. If you have recently had tyres fitted to your vehicle that do not have an E-mark, the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) advises you return to the vendor with proof of purchase and request that they be replaced with the E-marked tyres appropriate for your vehicle.
When returning non E-marked tyres, the National Consumer Agency advises that you also consult the information provided on their website on the Sale of Goods Act 1980.

S-marking on tyres:
EU motor vehicle tyres must bear an S-mark “sound marking” that certifies that the amount of road noise produced by the tyre complies with EU or International (UNECE) standards.
Retailers can no longer sell tyres with a width of 215mm or lower unless they have an S-marking on the sidewall. From 1st October 2011, all tyres, regardless of width, will have to bear an S-mark to be sold.