EU to unveil ESP and tire safety standards next week

Safety standards in the European Union are about to be toughened significantly with new mandates for carmakers set to be revealed next week. Some of the new rules likely to be introduced will include the fitment of advanced low-noise tires, electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring systems as standard equipment.

The executive European Commission will also require manufacturers to build advanced emergency brakes and lane departure warning systems into all new heavy-duty vehicles, according to a proposal seen by Reuters. The proposal is still being drafted and will need to be approved by EU governments and the European Parliament before it can be ratified.

The biggest impact will be on tires, which will have to meet new noise emission limits, as well as wet grip requirements and rolling resistance – the latter is designed to help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The new rules will also help simplify safety legislation by replacing roughly 50 existing directives and 100 amendments with a single regulation. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has backed the idea, saying many of the safety features concerned were already in the works, but with tough new emissions standards set to roll-in over coming years some carmakers will find it hard adapting to all the changes.