Latest report of the Expert Group on Laboratory Alignment for Tyre Rolling Resistance now published

The  Network of Reference Laboratories operating under the Regulation (EU) 2020/740 has completed a new round of alignment for the measurement of rolling resistance (RR), with updated equations now in force as of 2 March 2026. 

The alignment process (as from Annex V of the Regulation) ensures that laboratories across the world measure tyre rolling resistance consistently, by establishing shared "assigned reference values" against which individual test facilities calibrate their equipment and results.

The Network, which includes both technical services and tyre manufacturers, was first set up in 2010 under the original EU tyre labelling regulation. Since then, it has carried out regular alignment exercises and intermediate stability checks consistently confirming the stability of its measurement systems across participating laboratories. The alignment exercise is repeated every two years.

The most recent 2025 alignment round has produced new reference equations for both C1/C2 (passenger and light truck) and C3 (heavy-duty) tyre categories, applicable from 2 March 2026. These updated equations will directly feed into the tyre labelling process under Regulation (EU) 2020/740, ensuring that rolling resistance ratings on consumer-facing tyre labels remain accurate, comparable, and scientifically up to date.

The full report is available here.

An updated version of the Guidelines is available here.