Last verified: 26 Jun 2026. Standards, effective dates and certificate scopes change and enforcement dates move — always confirm the current position with the issuing authority or a licensed customs broker before acting. Altonex Global is a B2B trade-expo and supplier-discovery platform; it does not issue certificates, provide compliance services, or act in any of the regulatory processes described — these are obligations of the supplier/exporter and the importer.
EU Tyre Rules: R117 04-Series Wet Grip and the M+S to 3PMSF Shift
Two parallel EU tyre regulatory developments are reshaping sourcing decisions for the European corridor: the R117 04-series of amendments, which now mandates wet grip testing on worn C1 passenger-car tyres for the first time, and a cluster of national road-use law changes across Germany, Austria, France, Sweden and Latvia that closed the door on M+S-only marked tyres as qualifying winter equipment from late 2024. These are legally distinct tracks — one governs factory-stage type approval, the other governs fleet and driver compliance on the road — and buyers sourcing tyres for EU distribution need to navigate both.
What exactly changed in UN Regulation No. 117 with the 04-series, and why does it matter to buyers sourcing C1 tyres for the EU corridor?
UN Regulation No. 117 sets the mandatory technical standards that any tyre must satisfy before receiving a UNECE type-approval certificate and gaining the right to be sold across contracting-party markets, which include all EU member states. The 04-series is the most recent substantive revision. Its base text entered into force on 1 July 2024 for new type approvals; Supplement 2 to the 04-series was subsequently published in the EU Official Journal as Regulation (EU) 2025/1453 on 7 August 2025.
The 04-series covers three tyre classes — C1 (passenger car), C2 (light commercial) and C3 (heavy-duty) — across four performance areas: rolling sound emissions, rolling resistance, wet adhesion in both new and worn states (C1), and abrasion resistance (C1 only). The critical innovation is the last item in that list: the 04-series is the first amendment series to mandate wet grip requirements for worn C1 tyres, tested at the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. Prior series only tested wet grip on new tyres. A tyre that grips well when new but degrades dangerously through its service life can now be rejected at the approval stage rather than discovered only after market entry.
For buyers, this is a two-actor picture. The tyre manufacturer (the supplier) bears the obligation to obtain a valid 04-series type approval from a designated Technical Service and approval authority. The buyer's due-diligence task is narrower but still critical: confirm that the supplier's current type-approval certificate was issued under, or has been upgraded to, the 04-series, and request the test reports that substantiate the worn-tyre wet grip result.
R117 does not apply to all tyres. The following are excluded from scope:
Tyre categories excluded from R117 04-series scope:
- Temporary use spare tyres
- Tyres with nominal rim diameter ≤10 inches or ≥25 inches
- Competition tyres
- Professional off-road tyres
- Tyres with speed category below 80 km/h
- Studded tyres
- Tyres fitted to vehicles not in categories M, N or O (i.e., non-road-going vehicles)
If a supplier's product falls into any of these categories, the R117 04-series approval requirement does not apply — but the buyer should confirm this in writing, since misclassification is a real risk in cross-border trade.
When did the 04-series enter into force, and when does a C1 approval under the previous 03-series stop being accepted?
The 04-series entered into force on 1 July 2024 for new type approvals. The hard transition gate is 7 July 2024: from that date, UNECE Contracting Parties applying R117 are no longer obliged to accept type approvals for class C1 tyres that were issued for the first time after 7 July 2024 under the 03-series. In plain procurement terms: a C1 type-approval certificate first issued after 7 July 2024 under the 03-series may legitimately be refused by an EU market authority.
The consequence for buyers is direct. Any C1 tyre supplier whose approval documentation pre-dates 1 July 2024 and has not since been upgraded or reissued under the 04-series is operating on a certificate that Contracting Parties can reject for new first-issuances. A buyer placing a bulk order for EU distribution must ask the supplier to confirm the approval series and the date the certificate was first issued. If the certificate date is after 7 July 2024, the 04-series applies.
Extensions of existing type approvals first granted before 1 January 2027 carry one carve-out: they are exempt from abrasion testing requirements even after the January 2027 mandatory abrasion date. This is a narrow exemption that applies only to extensions, not to new approvals, and only to abrasion — worn wet grip and rolling resistance requirements are not exempted.
How does the new worn-tyre wet grip test work, and what minimum index values must a C1 tyre reach?
The wet grip test adopted in the 04-series measures the braking distance for a vehicle decelerating from 80 km/h to 20 km/h on a standard road surface with 1 mm of water depth. The tyre is abraded to 1.6 mm tread depth before the test runs, replicating real end-of-life road behaviour. The resulting wet grip index (GB) is a ratio relative to a reference tyre measured in the same conditions. A higher GB means a shorter, safer stopping distance.
The minimum GB values required under the 04-series (verified from EUR-Lex OJ L 2025/1453) are:
| C1 Tyre Sub-Type | Minimum GB (Worn) |
|---|---|
| Normal tyre | ≥ 0.88 |
| Snow tyre (severe conditions, speed >160 km/h) | ≥ 0.80 |
| Snow tyre (severe conditions, speed ≤160 km/h) | ≥ 0.70 |
| Special use tyre | ≥ 0.80 |
| Ice grip tyre | ≥ 0.70 |
These thresholds give buyers a direct audit tool when reviewing test reports. A supplier's worn-tyre wet grip test report should state the GB value achieved alongside the sub-type category the tyre was tested under. If the report is missing or only covers the new-tyre state, the buyer should flag this as a 04-series compliance gap before committing to a purchase order.
The 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake) symbol, which marks a tyre as certified for severe snow conditions, is legally defined in ECE R117 since the 02-series. The 04-series does not alter the snow-tyre test methods, but it does subject snow-tyre approvals to the broader tightened regime including the worn-wet-grip requirement where applicable.
What documents should a buyer request from a tyre supplier to confirm R117 04-series compliance before a bulk order?
The type-approval certificate under R117 carries a structured approval number that appears on the tyre sidewall and on the certificate itself. The approval number encodes the amendment series: a number beginning with "04" confirms a 04-series approval. To verify the issuing authority and confirm that the approval is genuine and currently valid, cross-reference the approval number against the UNECE type-approval database. The database is the authoritative source for interpreting the full approval mark format and country-code prefix — do not rely on informal decoding guides for due-diligence purposes.
Before placing a bulk order for EU corridor distribution, buyers should request the following from any C1 tyre supplier:
Supplier documentation checklist for R117 04-series compliance:
- The full type-approval certificate, showing the approval number, issuing authority, approval date and the amendment series (confirm the number begins with "04")
- The worn-tyre wet grip test report from the designated Technical Service, showing the GB value achieved and the tyre sub-type category tested
- Confirmation that the certificate was first issued on or after 1 July 2024, or that an earlier certificate has been formally upgraded to the 04-series
- The rolling resistance test report showing Stage 2 compliance (≤10.5 N/kN for C1), and if Stage 3 values are claimed, the corresponding Stage 3 report (≤10.0 N/kN for C1 with load index <87; ≤9.0 N/kN for load index ≥87 non-Run-Flat)
- For orders placed after 1 January 2027, an abrasion test report, which becomes mandatory for all new C1 approvals from that date
- The EU tyre label (Regulation (EU) 2020/740), which must show A-to-E ratings for rolling resistance, wet grip and A-to-C for external rolling noise — the wet grip test methods reference R117 Annexes 5 and 6
- Written confirmation of the 3PMSF symbol status if the product is marketed as a winter tyre for the EU
Buyers can cross-reference an approval number against the UNECE type-approval database to verify it is genuine and current. This step adds minimal time but eliminates the risk of accepting a forged or expired certificate on a large consignment. Registered suppliers who list tyres on Altonex Global can be contacted directly with these document requests via the platform's RFQ Centre.
How does the M+S-to-3PMSF national road-use shift affect fleet buyers and tyre importers in Germany, France, Austria, Sweden and Latvia?
The M+S (Mud and Snow) marking is a self-declared manufacturer claim; it carries no standardised test requirement and is not linked to the R117 type-approval process. The 3PMSF Alpine Symbol, by contrast, is awarded only when a tyre passes the severe snow-condition test defined in ECE R117. For years, many national road-use rules in UNECE contracting states accepted M+S-only marked tyres as satisfying winter-equipment obligations, provided the tyre was manufactured before a given date. From late 2024, that window closed in several major markets. The effective dates below are approximate — always confirm the precise date and current scope of each national rule with the relevant national authority before making sourcing or stocking decisions:
| Country | Change effective (approximate — verify with national authority) | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | From October 2024 (verify exact date with national authority) | M+S-only tyres (including those made before 1 January 2018) no longer accepted as qualifying winter equipment; 3PMSF Alpine Symbol mandatory |
| Austria | From October 2024 (verify exact date with national authority) | 3PMSF Alpine Symbol mandatory for winter conditions; M+S-only tyres no longer qualifying |
| Latvia | From October 2024 (verify exact date with national authority) | M+S-only tyres no longer accepted as qualifying winter equipment during the mandated winter period; 3PMSF Alpine Symbol required. Verify exact dates and vehicle scope with the national authority. |
| France | From November 2024 (verify exact date with national authority) | M+S-only marking no longer considered a winter tyre by law; 3PMSF Alpine Symbol required in designated winter-condition zones (verify applicable decree reference with the national authority) |
| Sweden | From December 2024 (verify exact date with national authority) | Winter or universal tyres with M+S-only symbol no longer permitted; 3PMSF Alpine Symbol mandatory |
This is a national road-use compliance question, not a type-approval question. The obligation sits with the vehicle operator or fleet manager, not the tyre manufacturer. However, tyre importers and distributors sourcing products for these markets carry a commercial risk: stock that does not carry the 3PMSF symbol has lost its winter-market eligibility in these five countries. Any buyer sourcing tyres for distribution or fleet supply in Germany, Austria, France, Sweden or Latvia should treat 3PMSF certification as a minimum product requirement for winter-line inventory, regardless of what the M+S marking says. The 3PMSF status is confirmed by looking for the Alpine Symbol moulded into the tyre sidewall; it should also be documented in the supplier's product specification sheet.
The two tracks — R117 04-series type approval and national 3PMSF road-use rules — are separate legal instruments. A tyre can have a valid R117 04-series type approval and still be ineligible for winter use in Germany if it does not carry the 3PMSF symbol. Conversely, a 3PMSF-marked tyre produced before the 04-series deadline may still require a certificate upgrade for new production runs. Buyers serving the EU corridor need both boxes checked.
For further guidance on export compliance documentation relevant to the auto-parts and tyre category, see the Export Compliance guide in the Altonex Global Knowledge Hub. Buyers ready to connect with tyre suppliers can submit a sourcing inquiry via the RFQ Centre. Suppliers wishing to list compliant tyre products can register at Become a Vendor.
Key takeaways
- The R117 04-series entered into force 1 July 2024 for new type approvals; from 7 July 2024, EU Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept C1 approvals first issued under the 03-series.
- The 04-series introduces mandatory worn-tyre wet grip testing at 1.6 mm tread depth for the first time — normal C1 tyres must achieve GB ≥ 0.88; ice-grip tyres GB ≥ 0.70.
- Abrasion testing is optional until 6 July 2026, available on request to 31 December 2026, then mandatory for all new C1 approvals from 1 January 2027.
- Always request the worn-tyre wet grip test report — not just the new-tyre test — and confirm the approval number begins with "04" before committing to a bulk order.
- From late 2024, Germany, Austria, Latvia, France and Sweden require the 3PMSF Alpine Symbol for road-legal winter tyres; M+S-only marked tyres no longer qualify in these markets, even those made before 2018. Verify exact national effective dates with each country's authority.
- The R117 04-series type-approval obligation rests with the tyre manufacturer (supplier); the national 3PMSF road-use obligation rests with the vehicle operator or fleet buyer. Importers and distributors sit at the intersection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the R117 04-series, and does it replace the 03-series?
UN Regulation No. 117, 04-series of amendments is the current governing version of the UNECE tyre type-approval standard, covering rolling noise, rolling resistance, wet grip (new and worn) and abrasion for C1, C2 and C3 tyres. It does not immediately invalidate 03-series certificates already issued — but from 7 July 2024, UNECE Contracting Parties applying R117 are no longer obliged to accept C1 tyre type approvals first issued after that date under the 03-series. For new C1 type approvals, the 04-series is now the applicable framework.
What is the practical difference between the M+S symbol and the 3PMSF Alpine Symbol?
M+S (Mud and Snow) is a self-declared manufacturer marking with no mandatory standardised performance test behind it. The 3PMSF Alpine Symbol — the three-peak mountain with a snowflake — is awarded only when a tyre passes the severe snow-condition braking test defined in ECE R117. From late 2024, Germany, Austria, Latvia, France and Sweden require the 3PMSF symbol for a tyre to be legally accepted as winter equipment; M+S-only marked tyres no longer qualify in those countries, regardless of their production date. Verify the precise effective date and current scope of each national rule with the relevant national authority before making sourcing or stocking decisions.
How do I read a tyre's R117 approval number to confirm it is 04-series?
The type-approval certificate and the tyre sidewall both carry a structured approval number that encodes the amendment series. A number beginning with "04" confirms a 04-series approval. To verify the issuing authority and confirm that the approval is genuine and currently valid, cross-reference the approval number against the UNECE type-approval database. The database is the authoritative source for interpreting the full approval mark format and country-code prefix — do not rely on informal decoding guides for due-diligence purposes.
When does abrasion testing become mandatory under the R117 04-series?
Abrasion testing under the 04-series follows a phased timeline for C1 tyres: it is optional upon applicant request until 6 July 2026; available upon request from 7 July to 31 December 2026; and mandatory for all new C1 tyre type approvals from 1 January 2027. Extensions of existing type approvals first granted before 1 January 2027 are exempt from abrasion testing requirements even after the mandatory date.
Does the 04-series change the 3PMSF snow-tyre test method?
No. The 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake) snow-tyre test methodology has been part of ECE R117 since the 02-series. The 04-series does not alter the snow-tyre test methods. It does, however, extend the overall regime — including worn-tyre wet grip requirements — to snow tyres as a tyre category, so a snow-tyre product seeking a new 04-series type approval must satisfy the full 04-series framework.
What rolling resistance limits apply to C1 tyres under Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the 04-series?
Under R117 04-series, Stage 2 rolling resistance coefficient (RRC) for C1 tyres is 10.5 N/kN. Stage 3 values are differentiated by load index: 10.0 N/kN for C1 tyres with load index below 87; and 9.0 N/kN for C1 tyres with load index 87 or above (non-Run-Flat). Buyers requiring Stage 3-compliant tyres should request the Stage 3 rolling resistance test report explicitly — Stage 2 compliance alone does not confirm Stage 3.
Who bears the legal obligation for R117 04-series compliance — the supplier, the importer, or the buyer?
The type-approval obligation rests with the tyre manufacturer or its authorised representative, who must obtain the certificate from a designated Technical Service and approval authority before placing tyres on the EU market. The national road-use obligation (for example, the 3PMSF winter-tyre rule in Germany) rests with the vehicle operator or fleet manager. Importers and tyre distributors sit at the intersection: they carry commercial and in some jurisdictions legal exposure if they knowingly source and supply non-compliant products. Due diligence — requesting and retaining the type-approval certificate and test reports — is the standard mitigation.
Sources: UN Regulation No. 117, 04-series of amendments (UNECE, entered into force 1 July 2024); Regulation (EU) 2025/1453 (EUR-Lex OJ L 2025/1453, 7 August 2025, Supplement 2 to R117 04-series); Regulation (EU) 2020/740 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the labelling of tyres; ECE R117 02-series (3PMSF/Alpine Symbol test methodology). Authorities: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); European Commission. Last reviewed 26 Jun 2026.