Directive 2005/69/EC: PAH's in Tread Rubber

Retreaders in EC countries should be aware of the implications of the forthcoming implementation of EC Council Directive 2005/69/EC which restricts the use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in extender oils and tyres.

This legislation, which becomes effective as of 1 January next year states that all tyres retreaded after 1 January 2010 must be retreaded with new tread containing new PAH-low extender oils. At the moment it is not entirely clear how many manufacturers of tread rubber are currently able to comply with this legislation.

The leading Europe - based manufacturers have now begun to issue press releases and statements assuring retreaders that their products comply. However, the position with the products supplied by non-European manufacturers supplying into the EU is less clear.

Retreading Business has heard statements from some manufacturers saying that their products will be compliant by 2010, which is not the same as saying that they already are. Also, because manufacturing low PAH tread rubber is more expensive, there is the likelihood that suppliers will now start manufacturing material specially for the European markets, whilst non-compliant material will continue to be sold outside the EU.

Failure on the part of European retreaders to comply with the new legislation could theoretically end up being expensive as it has emerged that each individual tyre manufactured after that date and subsequently sold into the marketplace counts as a single offence, which means that retreaders falling foul of this legislation could end up with a very large fine indeed.

The advice being given to retreaders by the official trade bodies is that retreaders should check with their tread suppliers and ask for written confirmation that their products comply with the legislation, particularly if they are importing tread rubber from outside the EU.

Also worth noting is the fact that the legislation specifies the date of manufacture of the retread as the key cut off point. This means that retreads manufactured before 1 January 2010 will be able to be sold if they are in stock. However, any unused tread rubber that does not comply will not be able to be used in the manufacturing process after this date.

A copy of Directive 2005/69/EC can be downloaded by clicking on the following link.

Download Directive 2005/69/EC