CV wheels now ‘safety-critical’, says EU
Provisions incorporated in new European Union (EU) roadworthiness regulations are set to define commercial vehicle wheels as a ‘safety-critical’ item, following a lengthy campaign by advocates of the policy.
The new European Roadworthiness Package is to become law in May, having been adopted by both the European Parliament and European Council. But EU member states will have a three-year period before domestic adoption of the rules becomes compulsory, and another year to apply all the measures.
The new law states that: “compatibility between parts and components, such as between wheels and wheel hubs, should be treated as a critical safety item and should be checked during roadworthiness testing.”
Meanwhile, additional text within the legislation outlines several visual wheel inspection prerequisites – and states that “wheel size, technical design, compatibility or type not in accordance with the requirements [as laid down by type approval at first registration or first entry into service] and affecting road safety” will be classed as a major defect.
CV wheel supplier Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD), which has pioneered the campaign to change the law, said that the new provision: “legally addresses the company’s proven argument that non-circumferential hubs, which give only partial contact between axle and wheel, are causing untested load stresses which cause cracks and half the life expectancy of a wheel which in turn creates serious safety concerns.”
The company added that the legislation: “brings into context a number of minimum essential requirements that need to be stipulated when purchasing second-hand or potentially inferior wheels, and furthermore the key roles that will be played by CV fleet managers and product purchasers.”
The safety campaign has been led by MWSD managing director John Ellis (pictured) – alongside Brian Simpson MEP, chair of the European transport committee, and the late Paul Goggins, former Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East.
John Ellis commented: “This is a major development in our campaign and the clearest indication possible from experts at the EU that they understand the safety critical nature of CV wheels, and that vehicle safety is being impaired when there is a failure to use fit-for-purpose wheels on non-circumferential hubs. It also addresses the second-hand and inferior product quality issues which we know can lead to several safety issues.
“That said this is purely the next step in the campaign, we will be approaching the Department for Transport (DfT) to ascertain their timescale for implementation of the Roadworthiness Package, working on closer cooperation with original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and the aftermarket, and keeping customers and the market informed on exactly what the changes will mean for their truck, bus and coach fleets.
“At this juncture our thanks must go to Brian Simpson MEP for his commitment to realising the importance of CV wheels as a European safety issue and gaining its inclusion, and also to Paul Goggins MP who believed in and pushed the subject with the UK Parliament.”
Brian Simpson added: “My position on the inclusion of CV wheels in the legislative text is clear, in that the laws are not designed to place extra financial burden on the CV sector, but create far safer practices for what is a safety critical item.
“The updated, more harmonised rules are aimed at improving road safety, cutting back emissions in road transport caused by poor maintenance of vehicles, and ensuring fair competition for commercial vehicles. Given the overall benefits I urge all 27 EU Member States to adopt the legislation before the three year compulsory deadline.”
