Less PAHs in Tyres from 2010

Publication date: 17 October 2005

Today, the Council adopted a directive restricting the use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in extender oils and tyres in the EU market. Tyres for cars, trucks, agricultural vehicles and motorcycles should be retreaded with PAH-low extender oils after 1 January 2010.

pahs_text_directive.pdf (111 KB)

The directive, which amends directive 76/769/EEC, aims at improving the level of protection to human health and to the environment by establishing limits for the use of PAHs in the production of tyres in order to reduce emissions of these substances into the environment.

Tyres are produced by using extender oils that may contain PAHs, which are classified as carcinogenic and toxic. During the production process, PAHs can be incorporated into the rubber matrix and therefore be present in various amounts in the final product.

Related News Items:
- Less polluting tyres (9 June 2005)
- Commission seeks to reduce air pollution from car tyres (13 February 2004)