An EU standardised tyre label is due to be introduced in November this year, according to Continental Tyres. The aim is to promote low emissions and better road safety, with standardised information focusing on three key criteria: fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise.

The system will work by giving consumers essential information to help them when choosing new tyres. This will take the form of a label, which will have values from A-G, excluding D to avoid an average performing tyre.

Wet braking will be one of the elements highlighted on the EU Label. Vehicles with tyres from Class A stop in the shortest distance from 50mph, whilst tyres from Class B take an additional 3-6 metres. This trend continues for the subsequent values and results in an increase in braking distance of over 18 metres from a vehicle in Class A to Class F.

Rolling resistance of a tyre is a contributory factor when saving fuel, and for this reason it features alongside the wet braking value. For example, a tyre from Class C will use 1 litre more fuel than that of a tyre from Class B over a journey of 625 miles, says Continental.

Another environmental factor, noise level, will also be highlighted on the label. This will show the actual noise rating in decibels and one, two or three black bars - with three being the loudest category.

All tyres produced after July 1st 2012 will need to have a label value, and this must be shown to consumers after November 1st 2012. If they wish, tyre manufacturers can begin to label earlier on a voluntary basis.

Enforcement will rest with each individual EU member state, with penalties being imposed for infringements. The UK Government is yet to announce who this enforcement body will be.