Tyres

UNECE WP.29 Proposes Supplement 18 to the 02 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 117 on Tyre Rolling Resistance, Noise and Wet Grip

UNECE WP.29 has issued working document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/167 in May 2026 proposing Supplement 18 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117 on tyres, covering rolling resistance, rolling noise and wet grip. If adopted, this supplement will adjust the technical performance and testing requirements applied to tyres under UN R117, so tyre manufacturers and vehicle OEMs should monitor the proposal closely and prepare to review and update their type-approval and design documentation.

Minnesota House Introduces Bills on Tire Producer Stewardship and Severe Animal Testing Ban (HF 5129, HF 5131)

On 11 May 2026 the Minnesota House introduced bills to create a producer-funded tire recycling programme and to prohibit certain severe animal research procedures, both currently at first-reading stage. If enacted, these measures would tighten waste and research governance in Minnesota, requiring tire producers to finance end-of-life management and research organisations to redesign or relocate high-pain animal studies.

12 May 2026, 18:14revisor.mn.govUnited States

India – NITI Aayog Circular Economy Report Proposes Standards and Tax Reforms for Tyre Pyrolysis Oil and Recovered Carbon Black

In January 2026 NITI Aayog released a major report on waste tyre circularity and, highlighted again at a May 2026 conference, it proposes national standards, tighter controls and tax reforms for tyre pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black in India. If adopted by ministries and standards bodies, these recommendations would reshape the economics and compliance expectations for tyre recyclers, pyrolysis operators, carbon black users and downstream fuel and materials markets planning investments in India.

8 May 2026, 18:19niti.gov.inIndia

California Energy Commission Publishes Draft EIR for Replacement Tire Efficiency Program

California has released a Draft Environmental Impact Report for a statewide Replacement Tire Efficiency Program that would introduce minimum energy-efficiency performance standards and a consumer rating system for replacement passenger car and light-duty truck tyres, with proposed compliance dates in 2028 and 2031. This signals that tyre manufacturers, importers and retailers serving the California market should start planning for future testing, labelling and product portfolio changes to meet forthcoming efficiency standards once regulations are finalised.

3 May 2026, 09:10ceqanet.lci.ca.govUnited States

EU Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/426 Updating Belarus Sanctions Under Regulation 765/2006

In February 2026 the EU Council adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/426, updating Annex I to Regulation 765/2006 so that 54 individuals and seven Belarus‑linked companies remain listed under the EU Belarus sanctions regime, with the framework now running to 28 February 2027. This reinforces existing asset‑freeze and funds‑transfer prohibitions on major fertiliser, potash, tyre and defence‑sector entities in Belarus, signalling sustained sanctions pressure and elevated counterparty and supply‑chain risk for EU operators over the medium term.

3 May 2026, 09:10eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Extends Belarus Sanctions To February 2027 And Updates Listed Officials And Companies

The EU Council has extended its Belarus sanctions framework under Decision 2012/642/CFSP to 28 February 2027 and updated Annex I listings for dozens of officials and several major Belarusian industrial companies through Decision (CFSP) 2026/427. Companies with links to Belarusian potash, fertiliser, tyre, and defence manufacturers should assume EU measures targeting these counterparties will stay in place for at least another year and reassess exposure, alternative sourcing, and contractual risk accordingly.

1 May 2026, 13:01eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

UNECE WP.29 Proposal to Amend UN Regulation No. 142 on Tyre Installation for Automated Driving Systems

UNECE WP.29 has tabled a June 2026 proposal to amend UN Regulation No. 142 so that tyre installation requirements and approval forms explicitly address automated driving systems and new fully automated vehicle categories. If adopted, manufacturers of ADS-equipped vehicles seeking UN Regulation No. 142 approval would need to ensure tyre speed capabilities are communicated to the ADS rather than via driver warning labels, tightening integration between tyre fitment, software, and type-approval documentation.

UNECE GRBP Submits Proposal to Amend UN Regulation No. 117 on Tyre Noise, Rolling Resistance and Wet Grip

UNECE’s Working Party on Noise and Tyres has submitted a proposal for Supplement 4 to amend UN Regulation No. 117, tightening wet-grip test conditions and updating reference test tyres for C1–C3 classes ahead of WP.29’s June 2026 session. If adopted, these changes will influence type-approval strategies, tyre design choices, and performance labelling for passenger, light commercial, and heavy-duty tyres across UNECE contracting parties.

UNECE WP.29 Proposes Supplement 22 to UN Regulation No. 106 on Agricultural and Forestry Tyres

UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations has issued a proposal for Supplement 22 to UN Regulation No. 106, clarifying the scope and marking rules for pneumatic tyres on agricultural and forestry vehicles ahead of its June 2026 session. If adopted, tyre manufacturers and agricultural and forestry vehicle OEMs will mainly face updates to type approvals, labelling and documentation rather than tyre formulations, but should still prepare for alignment once the supplement enters into force.

Basel Convention OEWG‑15 Consults On Updated Technical Guidelines For POP, E‑Waste, Battery, Tyre And Mercury Wastes

In March 2026 the Basel Convention’s Open-ended Working Group launched consultations on a broad package of updated technical guidelines for POP wastes, e-waste, batteries, tyres, mercury wastes and related hazardous waste streams ahead of its June 2026 meeting. These non-binding but influential texts will shape future expectations for classification, recycling and disposal under the Basel regime, so organisations handling such wastes should monitor OEWG-15 outcomes and consider contributing comments by 31 July 2026 through their national delegations.

24 Apr 2026, 09:46docs.un.orgGlobal

UNECE WP.29 Proposal for Supplement 21 to UN Regulation No. 75 on Motorcycle and Moped Tyres

UNECE’s Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP) has submitted working document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/91, proposing Supplement 21 to UN Regulation No. 75 on motorcycle and moped tyres, for consideration by WP.29/AC.1 at their 199th session in Geneva on 23–26 June 2026. The draft narrows and clarifies the Regulation’s scope by confirming coverage of new pneumatic tyres for L‑category vehicles while explicitly excluding NHS off‑road tyres, competition tyres and tyres designed exclusively for bicycle rims in line with ISO 5775‑2:2021, signalling potential impacts on tyre type‑approval portfolios.

24 Apr 2026, 09:13docs.un.orgGlobal

UNECE WP.29 Proposes Supplement 2 to UN Regulation No. 109 on Retreaded Tyres

UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations has tabled working document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/94, proposing a second supplement to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 109 on retreaded tyres for commercial vehicles and their trailers. If adopted, this will update the international type-approval baseline for retreaded commercial vehicle tyres, signalling future adjustments to technical specifications and conformity-of-production practices for tyre manufacturers and vehicle OEMs applying UN Regulation No. 109.

France: Draft End‑of‑Waste Criteria for Rubber Particles From Used Tyres

In April 2026 France notified the EU of a draft order that sets strict end-of-waste criteria for rubber particles from used tyres used in tyre and conveyor-belt manufacturing, with the EU standstill period running until mid-July 2026. If adopted, this will let recyclers and tyre and conveyor manufacturers treat compliant tyre-derived rubber as product rather than waste, but only if they meet demanding input controls, POP and metal impurity testing, quality-management and documentation obligations that will affect sourcing, contracts and process controls.

23 Apr 2026, 14:32technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.euFrance

US Congress Introduces 6PPD Task Force Act (H.R. 8357)

In April 2026, a US House bill (H.R. 8357, the 6PPD Task Force Act) was introduced to create a federal task force coordinated by DOT, EPA, and the National Academy of Sciences to study the impacts of the tyre chemical 6PPD and its by-product 6PPD-quinone on salmon, water quality, and human health, and to drive research and funding for safer alternatives. If enacted, this would formalise federal coordination across agencies, Tribes, and industry, signalling heightened regulatory attention on 6PPD in tyres and potential future controls that tyre makers, automotive OEMs, and chemical suppliers will need to anticipate in product and R&D planning.

23 Apr 2026, 14:30congress.govUnited States

US Senate Introduces 6PPD Task Force Bill on Salmon and Environmental Impacts

In April 2026, a US Senate bill (S.4325) was introduced to create a federal task force studying the impacts of 6PPD and its byproduct 6PPD-Q on coho salmon and the environment, and to promote research and funding for safer alternatives. Although still at proposal stage, this elevates 6PPD/6PPD-Q as a federal environmental priority and could drive future restrictions or funding programmes, so companies using these chemistries should track the bill’s progress and plan for potential substitution.

23 Apr 2026, 12:24congress.govUnited States

UK Parliament Schedules Second Reading Of Waste Tyres Bill To Abolish T8 Exemption

As of 17 April 2026, the UK Parliament has scheduled second reading of the Waste Tyres Bill, a Private Members’ Bill that would abolish the T8 exemption for end‑of‑life tyres and treat them as notifiable waste. This moves the proposal into substantive debate in the House of Commons and increases the likelihood that tyre handlers and exporters in Great Britain will eventually face tighter permitting and reporting obligations on waste tyres.

23 Apr 2026, 10:04bills.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

UNECE WP.29 Proposes 01 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 172 on Snow Grip and Traction Classification for Retreaded Tyres

UN WP.29 has issued working document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/100 proposing the first (01) series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 172 on snow grip performance and traction classification for retreaded tyres. Once adopted, these amendments will change technical approval and classification requirements for retreaded tyres in UNECE markets, so tyre manufacturers and retreaders should anticipate future updates to testing, documentation, and type-approval strategies.

UNECE WP.29 Proposes 01 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 172 on Snow Grip Performance for Retreaded Tyres

UNECE’s vehicle regulations forum has tabled a proposal to introduce a first amendment series to UN Regulation No. 172, refining how snow grip performance and traction classification apply to retreaded tyres. If adopted, this will shape future type-approval requirements for retreaded tyres in markets applying UN vehicle regulations, and tyre manufacturers should monitor the evolving performance and testing criteria.

Great Britain HSE Agency Opinion Proposes GB Mandatory Classification and Labelling for 6PPD (N-1,3-Dimethylbutyl-N'-Phenyl-p-Phenylenediamine)

In March 2026 the UK HSE issued an Agency Opinion proposing a GB mandatory classification and labelling for 6PPD as a reproductive toxicant, skin sensitiser and very toxic aquatic substance. If adopted, this GB MCL will align 6PPD’s status with the EU, drive relabelling and SDS updates, and could trigger future UK REACH restrictions or SVHC listing that tyre, rubber and lubricant supply chains need to anticipate.

22 Apr 2026, 16:49hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EU Intention to Restrict 6PPD and Related PPDs in Rubber Tyres

Netherlands and Austria have formally notified an EU REACH restriction intention targeting 6PPD and related PPDs used in rubber tyres and potentially other rubber goods, with the Annex XV dossier expected by March 2027. This gives tyre and rubber supply chains a clear timeline for a likely 6PPD phase-out proposal and signals the need to assess dependence on this antidegradant and plan safer alternatives ahead of the formal restriction draft.

22 Apr 2026, 12:24chem.echa.europa.euEuropean Union