L 342/46 Official Journal of the European Union 22.12.2009 REGULATION (EC) No 1222/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 November 2009 on the labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO- PEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), After consulting the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1) Sustainable mobility is a major challenge facing the Com- munity in the light of climate change and the need to sup- port European competitiveness, as emphasised in the Commission Communication of 8 July 2008 entitled ‘Greening Transport’. (2)  The Commission Communication of 19 October 2006 entitled ‘Action Plan for Energy Efficiency — Realising the Potential’ highlighted the potential for reducing the total energy consumption by 20 % by 2020 by means of a list of targeted actions including the labelling of tyres. (3)  The Commission Communication of 7 February 2007 entitled ‘Results of the review of the Community strategy to reduce CO, emissions from passenger cars and light- commercial vehicles’ highlighted the potential for reduc- ing CO, emissions by means of complementary measures for car components with the highest impact on fuel con- sumption, such as tyres. (4)  Tyres, mainly because of their rolling resistance, account for 20 % to 30 % of the fuel consumption of vehicles. A reduction of the rolling resistance of tyres may therefore contribute significantly to the energy efficiency of road transport and thus to the reduction of emissions. (1) O] C 228, 22.9.2009, p. 81. (%) Opinion of the European Parliament of 22 April 2009 (not yet pub- lished in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 20 Novem- ber 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Position of the European Parliament of 24 November 2009(not yet published in the Official Journal). (5)  Tyres are characterised by a number of parameters which are interrelated. Improving one parameter such as rolling resistance may have an adverse impact on other param- eters such as wet grip, while improving wet grip may have an adverse impact on external rolling noise. Tyre manufac- turers should be encouraged to optimise all parameters beyond the standards already achieved. (6)  Fuel-efficient tyres are cost-effective since fuel savings more than compensate for the increased purchase price of tyres stemming from higher production costs. (7)  Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning type- approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and sepa- rate technical units intended therefor (3) sets out minimum requirements for the rolling resistance of tyres. Technologi- cal developments make it possible to significantly decrease energy losses due to tyre rolling resistance beyond those minimum requirements. To reduce the environmental impact of road transport, it is therefore appropriate to lay down provisions to encourage end-users to purchase more fuel-efficient tyres by providing harmonised information on that parameter. (8)  Traffic noise is a significant nuisance and has a harmful effect on health. Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 sets out minimum requirements for the external rolling noise of tyres. Technological developments make it possible to sig- nificantly reduce external rolling noise beyond those mini- mum requirements. To reduce traffic noise, it is therefore appropriate to lay down provisions to encourage end-users to purchase tyres with low external rolling noise by pro- viding harmonised information on that parameter. (9)  The provision of harmonised information on external roll- ing noise would also facilitate the implementation of mea- sures against traffic noise and contribute to increased awareness of the effect of tyres on traffic noise within the framework of Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Par- liament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise (4). () OJ L 200, 31.7.2009, p. 1. (4 OJ L 189, 18.7.2002, p. 12.