57% of tyre retailersnot complying with rules

A report by the Council’s Chief Environmental Health Officer before the Environmental Services Committee tomorrow states that the sale of part-worn tyres has risen due to the current economic climate.

According to a consequent Tyre Safety Survey Report in the Derry City Council area part-worn tyres are selling for £15 - £20 which is a considerable reduction compared to the price of new tyres.

“However part-worn tyres, which do not meet the legal requirements, present a serious risk to consumers,” the report warns.

Following a number of complaints a letter and information leaflet was sent to known tyre retailers in the Council area.

Equally, officers met with representatives of the National Tyre Distribution Association (NTDA) which has highlighted issues associated with the part-worn tyre trade including safety, labelling, tyre age, repairs and disposal of tyres.

The report advises that in the letter and guidance leaflet issued to local retailers the legal requirements regarding part-worn tyres were outlined.

Council inspections found that of seven premises inspected, four (57 per cent) supplied part-worn tyres.

One retailer was found to supply “part-worn tyres which had an external lump, bulge of tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure.”

One retailer supplied “part-worn tyres which the original tread pattern of the tyre was not 2mm deep across the full width of the tread and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.”

Four premises supplied “part-worn tyres which did not comply with ‘PART-WORN’ marking requirements (upper case letters and at least 4mm high).”

On a more positive none of the premises had “part-worn tyres for supply which had any cut over 25mm or 10 per cent of the section width of the tyres on outside of the tyre, deep enough to reach the ply of cord.

None of the premises had “part-worn tyres in which the ply or cord was exposed internally or externally.”

And none of the premises had “part-worn tyres for supply which had any penetration damage that had not been repaired.”

Furthermore, four premises had tyres for “supply which complied with requirement to have appropriate EC approval mark.”

Four premises had tyres for “supply which complied with speed category symbol and load capacity index marking requirements.”

The report stated, however, that: “Warning letters were issued to all premises outlining legal requirements regarding ‘part-worn’ markings and any other non-compliance found, advising owners that upon further inspections/test purchasing exercises, if any non-compliances were found, enforcement action would be taken.