In a discussion with Tyre Trends, Chief of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Information Unit Jean Rodriguez detailed how the Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP) is driving international regulations on tyre safety, noise and sustainability. From pioneering micro-plastic emission measurement to strengthening wet-grip requirements and updating studded and retreaded tyre rules, Rodriguez emphasised UNECE’s role in shaping a harmonised global framework that balances consumer safety with environmental protection.

What is the role of the Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP) within UNECE?

As one of the six subsidiary bodies of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations, hosted by UNECE, the Working Party on Noise and Tyres continues to spearhead globally harmonised standards through UN Regulation No. 117, covering tyre rolling resistance, noise, wet grip and, with recent developments, abrasion measures. These UN Regulations form the backbone of safety and environmental tyre specifications adopted by numerous countries and a substantial share of tyre producers globally.

What were the key regulatory changes between 2022 and 2025?

In early 2024, the Working Party adopted the first-ever methodology to measure particle emissions from tyres, critical for tracking micro-plastic emissions via two protocols including real-world 8,000 kilometres convoy tests and 5,000 kilometres rolling-drum lab tests. These are slated for integration into a new UN Regulation by September 2025 for passenger tyres, expanding into heavier vehicle categories (C2, C3) into 2026 and 2027.

Once in force, these regulations will contribute to significantly reducing micro-plastic pollution. In 2016, tyre abrasion was estimated to represent 78 percent of the 1.3 million metric tonnes of microplastics entering the ocean.

The UNECE methodology to measure particle emissions from tyres will become the reference methodology of the Euro 7 proposal of the European Union. Moreover, EU tyre regulation and labelling covering noise, wet grip, rolling resistance and environmental transparency build directly on UNECE’s standards.

How has UNECE addressed tyre safety at legal minimum tread depth?

GRBP introduced requirements ensuring that tyres at the legal minimum tread depth (1.6 millimetres) retain a minimum wet-grip level relative to new tyres. This is a shift towards safety and sustainability by permitting consumers to drive worn tyres safely, potentially reducing waste. It obliges manufacturers to design tread compounds and patterns that preserve wet performance over the tyre’s life, not just when new.

What regulations were introduced for studded tyres in 2022?

In September 2022, a new UN Regulation to cover performance requirements and marking of studded tyres entered into force to increase road safety by introducing harmonised snow grip requirements for studded tyres. It simplified the legislative situation in several countries that allowed the usage of studded tyres on public roads, introduced strict requirements and procedures for testing their snow grip and allowed consumers to benefit from more coherent winter tyre markings.

What additional areas has UNECE been working on to align safety and environmental goals?

By refining noise standards, updating testing protocols and promoting tyre lifecycle efficiency, UNECE is steadily shaping regulations to match environmental and safety objectives. This includes work on enhanced noise testing for tyres (UN Regulation No. 117) and motorcycles (UN Regulation No. 41) and vehicle alert systems (UN Regulation No. 138/51)

How does UNECE ensure global relevance, transparency and participation in its work?

All this work in setting technical specifications testifies to UNECE’s high relevance in providing a global harmonisation framework. Its expanding scope, especially in environmental dimensions such as micro-plastic emissions, is helping it maintain policy leadership and normative force, shaping tyre safety, noise and environmental performance worldwide.

A very important aspect of UNECE work is that it prevents fragmentation of the tyre regulatory landscape. GRBP is open to governmental experts from any member country of the United Nations and to any regional economic integration organisation set up by member countries of the United Nations including experts of governmental organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

UNECE provides secretarial support to WP.29 and its working parties, facilitating negotiations between contracting parties to the 1958, 1997 and 1998 agreements. More than 100 experts participate in the sessions of GRBP and all documents considered by GRBP are available in the public domain.

What are UNECE’s priorities going forward to support safety and the circular economy?

Leveraging its technical authority and norm-setting capacities, UNECE is uniquely positioned to foster a globally harmonised tyre labelling framework that covers rolling resistance, wet grip and, for the first time, tyre abrasion. This framework promotes consistency, environmental protection, consumer transparency and ultimately supports worldwide regulatory alignment.

At its session in September 2025, GRBP will consider the proposal for a new UN Regulation on the uniform provisions concerning the approval of tyres with regard to abrasion performance.

UNECE is also updating UN Regulations no. 108 (passenger car/towed vehicle Retreaded tyres), 109 (commercial vehicle retreaded tyres) and 172 (snow performance of retreaded tyres) to ensure retreaded tyres meet the same safety standards as new tyres, even in challenging winter conditions but in a way that makes regulatory processes smoother and more conducive to circular economy practices.

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The Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) has confirmed Vijay K Misra as its new Chairman following a formal election. With a distinguished career spanning nearly 50 years in the tyre and rubber sector, Misra possesses extensive expertise in technology, product development, international collaborations and major greenfield projects.

His deep industry connections and proven leadership are anticipated to steer the IRI through its next period of growth and enhanced impact. The Institute also formally acknowledged Misra's pivotal role in founding the Dr D Banerjee Centre of Excellence in Mysuru, a premier hub for advanced training and industry-academia synergy.

Concurrently, sincere appreciation was extended to outgoing Chairman Dr R Mukhopadhyay for his valuable guidance, as he continues to support the Institute in the role of Chairman Emeritus.

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Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a forthcoming change to its representative leadership at a meeting on 25 December 2025, pending formal ratification at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for 26 March 2026.

The shift is part of a planned reorganisation of the company’s management framework effective from that date. Under the new structure, current Director and Senior Executive Officer Yasuaki Kuniyasu is slated to be appointed as the new Representative Director, President and CEO. Concurrently, the present President and CEO, Satoru Yamamoto, is expected to transition to the role of Representative Director and Chairperson of the Board.

Yasuaki Kuniyasu, aged 56, began his career with the company in April 1992. His tenure includes significant leadership roles, such as General Manager of the Tyre Technology Headquarters and, from January 2023, General Manager of the Corporate Management Planning & Administration Department. He has served as a Director and Senior Executive Officer since March 2023 and held 8,400 shares in the company as of 30 June 2025.

This planned succession aims to establish a renewed executive team to guide the company forward under its new governance model.

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Hankook Tire has secured a top-tier ‘A’ rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in Climate Change category for the second year in a row, affirming its status as a global leader in environmental stewardship. The CDP assessment is among the world’s most authoritative benchmarks for corporate sustainability, evaluating governance, emissions reduction and transparency. Hankook’s achievement reflects its comprehensive approach to managing climate impacts throughout its entire value chain, from raw materials to end-of-life tyre management.

This recognition is underpinned by a robust, long-term strategy targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2023, the company’s near-term 2030 goals and its 2050 net-zero ambition were formally validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Governance is central to this progress, with a dedicated Board-level Climate Change Committee ensuring climate risks and opportunities are integrated into core business decisions and that reduction progress is meticulously tracked and disclosed.

Operationally, Hankook is transforming its global production towards sustainable systems. It pioneered the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS in the tyre industry at its Geumsan Plant in 2021, a milestone since extended to facilities in Hungary and Daejeon. This establishes a certified framework for manufacturing sustainable tyres across consumer, original equipment and motorsport segments.

Complementing these efforts, Hankook is driving material innovation through strategic partnerships. The company is collaborating with firms like ROTOBOOST and Solvay to develop next-generation, low-carbon materials such as turquoise hydrogen-based carbon black and circular silica. It is also engaging in national research consortia to scale promising carbon reduction technologies. These initiatives are part of Hankook’s broader circular economy vision, branded E.Circle, which focuses on reducing fossil fuel dependence, conserving natural resources and systematically cutting carbon emissions.

Hankook’s leadership has garnered significant external validation. It earned the highest environmental accreditation from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and was named one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 by TIME and Statista. Together, these accomplishments demonstrate how Hankook Tire is embedding sustainability into its corporate identity to build long-term value and industry-wide resilience.

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ULTIMATE GREEN XT tyre has won two awards at the Awards, receiving Sustainable Product of the Year and being Highly Commended in the Innovative Product of the Year category.

The awards were presented last week in Dubai and add to earlier recognition for the product, which received the Best Innovation in Sustainability award at in Chicago earlier this year.

The Sustainable Product of the Year and Innovative Product of the Year categories recognise products that demonstrate environmental responsibility and technological innovation in the global automotive and mobility industry. The judges cited the tyre’s use of environmentally friendly materials and its reduced environmental impact.

The ULTIMATE GREEN XT, identified by its green colour, has been developed with a focus on sustainability while maintaining performance, durability and safety standards. The Sustainable Product of the Year award reflects its contribution to more sustainable mobility solutions, while the innovation commendation highlights its design and engineering approach.

Automechanika Dubai is the largest international trade fair for the automotive aftermarket across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers and industry leaders. Recognition at the event underlines the international profile of the ULTIMATE GREEN XT following its earlier award in the United States.

Barry Guildford, global commercial director of GRI Tires, said, “This recognition at Automechanika Dubai is a proud milestone for GRI. The ULTIMATE GREEN XT reflects our vision of delivering innovative tire solutions that support sustainability while meeting the evolving needs of our customers worldwide.”

GRI said it would continue to invest in research and development aimed at advancing sustainable tyre technologies, following the continued recognition of the ULTIMATE GREEN XT in international markets.

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