CETRO 

Committee of European Tyre Retail Organisations
 

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Balance weights

CETRO, the Committee of European Tyre Retail Organisations, supports the initiative of the Commission to ban heavy metals from the environment. In 2001 the Commission decided to ban lead balance weights without consulting the Tyre Retail Organisations who are responsible for more than 80% of all balance weights fitted in the replacement market of the European Union. We therefore take the opportunity, after detailed consultation with our members, to respond to the stakeholder consultation, dated 22 January 2004 and to make some pragmatic observations after introducing the first phase of 2000/53/EC.

The Commission claimed the presence of sufficient alternatives for lead balance weights. CETRO confirms the number of alternatives, however alternatives are expensive and therefore the consumer is confronted with a substantial increase in the cost for wheel balancing services.

If the motorist rejects this particular service, for financial reasons, unbalanced wheels can lead to serious vibrations in steering components having a significant impact on the safety of the vehicle and therefore on road safety.

To deliver the same performance as lead, more material and labour is required and, in many cases -- especially light alloy wheels -- not enough space is available to fit the right non-leaded balance weight.

The consumer will not appreciate the necessity for alternatives and especially the significant increase in the cost of balancing. His car (new type approved) requires alternatives for balancing his tyres (up to 50 grams), his caravan or trailer (behind the same car) and trucks (up to 1.500 grams per front axle tyre) and buses (all in the same workshop) do not require alternatives therefore it will be extremely difficult to justify the charge to the customer.

Retailers are worried about their additional liability should they be forced by legislation to stop using lead. Our members also fear that the technical, and environmental benefits of the alternatives cannot stand up to a cost benefit analysis. Braking, especially in mountainous regions, dissipates enormous heat and the use of tin for example, as an alternative does not cover the physical properties required.

In almost all member states the recycling of lead balance weights is well organised, lead is recovered at least every two weeks and with a very high percentage of recycling. The alternatives will not attract the same recovery incentives from recovery companies. Any change in the material used for balancing will create an additional waste stream with its attendant increase in costs of disposal.

It is still not clear when the OE market will commence the process of using alternatives however we are aware that models such as the new VW Golf, Ford C-max, etc anticipate using alternatives.

One of our main concerns is that our market is so competitive that retailers will have to stock substantial quantities of lead weights to satisfy the market right up to the introduction, including incremental costs of any proposed ban, however, it is unlikely that alternatives would be introduced overnight. Indeed, many retailers would continue to balance wheels with lead weights in order to remain competitive in the market place unless some structured refunding systems are put in place to provide the necessary incentive to transfer to alternative materials.

Retail organisations believe that fundamental research must be undertaken, in coherence with the interests of the automotive and car tyre industry before implementation to ensure that suitable, commercially and environmentally acceptable alternatives, are available and that the final phase-out date takes account of the impact such changes will inevitably have on the retail members of CETRO throughout the community.

CETRO would be prepared to help the commission develop a communication programme to publicize the environmental benefits and also the commercial implications of the change.