UN R108 — 01 series of amendments

In paragraph 2.55., a “Tyre for use in severe snow conditions” is now a snow tyre or a special use tyre. Its major features including tread pattern must be specifically designed for severe snow conditions, and it must fulfil paragraph 6.1. of UN Regulation No. [XXX]. The snow test of former paragraph 6.8.2., the snow classification requirements of former paragraph 7.2. and Annex 9, with its snow test procedures, are deleted. The checks of former paragraphs 9.2.2. to 9.2.4. and 9.4.2. to 9.4.4. on conformity of the performance of the snow tyres are also deleted. For the “Alpine” symbol, paragraph 3.2.7.1. now refers to Annex 7, Appendix 1 to Regulation No. 117, in place of Annex 9, Appendix 1. New paragraph 3.4.1. requires the approval mark of UN Regulation No. [XXX] in addition, in the case of a retreaded tyre classified as “snow tyre for use in severe snow conditions”.

New paragraphs 2.48. to 2.51. define four terms, for example “Supplier of the tread used for retreading process” and “Tyre Manufacturer”. Under paragraphs 6.6.3.1. and 6.6.3.3., the documents now include a copy of the UN Regulation No. [XXX] certificate(s) in place of test reports. Under the same paragraphs, the list(s) of tyre sizes are now those annexed to the UN Regulation No. [XXX] certificate(s). Under paragraph 6.6.3.2., item (a) is now a copy of the UN Regulation No. [XXX] certificate(s) issued based on the UN Regulation No. 117 certificate(s). Under new paragraph 6.6.3.4., the retreader must make sure packaging of pre-cured tread material(s) approved to UN Regulation No. [XXX] bears the approval marking sticker. This applies until the packaging is opened and used for retreading, unless the approval marking is displayed on the tread shoulder.

Under paragraph 7.2., a “special use tyre” must have a block tread pattern with blocks larger and more widely spaced than for normal tyres. Its tread depth must now be ≥ 9 mm and its void-to-fill ratio ≥ 30 per cent, in place of ≥ 11 mm and ≥ 35 per cent. For a “professional off-road tyre”, paragraph 7.3. requires a tread depth ≥ 11 mm, a void-to-fill ratio ≥ 35 per cent and a speed category of ≤ 160 km/h. Before, the speed criterion was “A maximum speed rating of ≤ Q”. Under paragraph 3.2.7., the inscription “M+S or MS or M.S. or M & S” applies also to a “special use tyre” declared by the tyre manufacturer at paragraph 4.1.5.3.1. as complying also with paragraph 2.3.2. The requirement to supply a copy of the mould drawing of the tread pattern for special use tyres (former paragraph 4.2.2.) is deleted.

New paragraphs 2.58. to 2.61. define “Extended Mobility Tyre (EMT)”, “Flat tyre running mode”, “Basic tyre functions” and “Deflected section height”. New paragraph 3.2.11. adds a symbol for a tyre that is an EMT, where “h” is at least 12 mm. For an EMT, another load/speed test under Annex 7, paragraph 3 is needed, on a second sample or, if the manufacturer agrees, the same sample. An EMT passes if its deflected section height changes by not more than 20 per cent from the start of the test and it “retains the tread connected to the two sidewalls”. A new procedure in Annex 7 assesses the flat tyre running mode of extended mobility tyres. Paragraph 6.8.4. now exempts tyres with radial structure from the ± 3.5 per cent outer diameter limit measured six hours after the load/speed endurance test.

New paragraphs 2.52. and 2.53. define “Brand name/trademark” and “Trade description/commercial name”. Retreaded tyres must now show the retreader’s name or the brand name / trademark, and the trade description/commercial name unless it coincides with the brand name/trademark. Paragraph 3.2.8. adds the word “REINFORCED” or the words “EXTRA LOAD” if the tyre is a reinforced tyre. If not moulded, the date of retreading must be applied within 5 working days after the retreading process is completed at the facility concerned. Before, the date of manufacture had to be applied not later than 24 hours after the tyre was removed from the mould. Paragraph 3.5.1., which put the markings in the lower area of at least one sidewall, is now “[Reserved]”.

From the official date of entry into force of the 01 series, no Contracting Party may refuse to grant or accept 01 series type approvals. Contracting Parties applying this Regulation must continue to accept and extend preceding-series type approvals of retreading production units not affected by the 01 series changes. As from 1 September 2025, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation are not obliged to accept preceding-series type approvals first issued after 1 September 2025. Until 1 September 2028, they must accept, and grant extensions to, preceding-series type approvals first issued before 1 September 2025. Under new paragraph 8.3., the Competent Authority issuing an extension of approval must assign a series number and inform the other Parties applying this Regulation. Paragraph 12.1. now also names forms certifying extension of approval.

Paragraph 1.3. now excludes tyres originally produced without Regulation No. 30 type approval. Before, it excluded tyres originally produced without type approval and without either an “E” or “e” mark. Paragraph 1.5. now excludes tyres designed primarily for competitions, in place of tyres designed exclusively for competition or off road use and marked accordingly. New paragraph 1.7. excludes tyres of “Run flat tyre” structure. Paragraph 2.54. now refers to ISO 4000-1:2021 in place of ISO 4000-1:2010. In Annex 6, paragraph 1.1., the tyre on the test rim is inflated to 300 to 350 kPa in place of 3 to 3.5 bar.