In mid-September, a draft bill was introduced in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies to ban retreaded tyres on buses and trucks operating on federal and state highways. The proposed legislation, authored by federal deputy Capitão Augusto of the Liberal Party, São Paulo, defines these tyres as those that “undergo a retreading process to apply a new layer of rubber over the existing carcasses after the original tread has worn.”
Wrong-footed Proposition
Under the proposal, cargo and passenger transport companies would be required to replace retreaded tyres with new ones that meet safety standards set by Inmetro (the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology). Non-compliance would result in a fine of R$5,000 per vehicle and vehicle impoundment until the tyres comply. Enforcement of the law would fall to federal and state highway authorities.
The bill’s text claims that tyre tread separations, particularly on high-speed, heavily loaded trucks, significantly cause traffic accidents. It further argues that inflated tyres heighten the risk of tread separation.
If passed, the legislation would come into force 180 days after publication, allowing transport companies time to comply.
Retreading Industry Pushes Back
The Brazilian Association of the Tyre Retreading Segment (ABR) issued a strong rebuttal to the draft bill, labelling it as misguided and uninformed. The ABR’s official statement indicates that Inmetro has regulated tyre retreading in Brazil since 2006, with all regulations consolidated into Ordinance No. 433 of 15 October 2021.
The ABR emphasised that tyres retreaded according to these regulations provide safety levels equivalent to new tyres while delivering significant economic and environmental benefits. The association stressed that retreading plays a crucial role in sustainability, saving an estimated 578 million litres of oil annually and preventing the emission of around 520,000 tonnes of CO₂.
Margareth Buzetti, ABR president and Federal Senator for Mato Grosso, highlighted that the proposal contradicts Inmetro’s technically sound and internationally recognised regulations and undermines environmental sustainability efforts. She noted that tyre retreading significantly reduces the carbon footprint and contributes to the global carbon market.
Buzetti also criticised the bill for failing to differentiate between various types of tyre retreading services, such as recapping, remoulding, and retreading, all subject to Inmetro inspections. She further pointed out that Brazil’s retreading industry is the second-largest in the world, with around 1,257 retreaders and 5,000 small and micro-enterprises involved in the production chain.
The ABR’s statement concludes by strongly opposing Draft Bill 3569/2024 and calling for its complete withdrawal.
