These regulations introduce similar standards of safety and quality control for retreaded tyres as for new tyres.

Commissioner Verheugen responsible for enterprise and industry policy said: "This is an elegant way of keeping EU legislation slim while regulating effectively on safety in the automotive sector. More such initiatives will follow."

Each year Europe produces many millions of tyres, which are used only for a few years and then are thrown away. Recycling of old tyres by retreading is a well-known technique, which permits tyres to be reused instead of being thrown away.

The Council Decision’s to make the regulations mandatory in the EU is the first time the Commission has voted to adopt UNECE rules, which have only been recognised as alternatives to those contained in EU directives.

By making UNECE Regulation 108 and 109 compulsory for retreaded car and commercial vehicle tyres respectively, the EU avoids the necessity to develop its own prescriptions for retreaded tyres, while at the same time ensuring that its tyre manufacturers can benefit from a wide market, which extends far beyond the EU borders.

Retreading is a frequent practice, particularly for some of the heavier vehicle categories like trucks, buses and trailers. More than 50 % of these vehicles currently run with retreaded tyres on the streets of the EU.