Peter Robb, brand manager, Continental, says: “There are proposed revisions to the labelling system due in 2016 that will help fleets identify the best winter tyres.

"This is needed so fleet managers can make an informed decision as cold weather tyres offer optimum economy, efficiency and safety in the appropriate conditions.”

In the meantime, many fleet managers continue to use their own experience and understanding of tyre choice, coupled with advice from their supplier, to choose the best tyres for their vehicles.

Tattersall says: “Everyone in the fleet sector is all for making life simpler and tyre choice easier.

“Although many fleet managers may not be using labelling as part of their decision-making now, it is bound to increase as awareness grows and labelling potentially includes more information.”

What's next for tyre labelling?

While the future of tyre labelling is not yet set, it is clear there will be an increased amount of information added to the current three categories.This is likely to happen when the labelling system is reviewed in 2016.

A spokesman for the European Commission says: “We are examining the tyre labelling system for its implementation by tyre manufacturers and retailers, and also for the understanding of car drivers.

“Only when we are sure that drivers understand the system can we add more information. What that new information would be, we will have to wait to decide what is most relevant for safety and what helps drivers make the best choice.”

It is also clear the EU is looking for all tyre makers to meet the highest standards set by the current labelling.

This is the more important intermediate goal for premium tyre manufacturers.

Many believe the present labelling system sets targets that are achievable, but they also point out it is almost impossible for a single tyre to meet the highest grade in each of the current three categories.

The reason for this is that a tyre’s construction is a balance between performance, efficiency and cost.

The 2016 review will likely bring cold weather performance under closer scrutiny and may also seek to grade cold weather tyres separately from standard tyres.

Kelly says: “The current EU tyre label doesn’t have a specific performance indicator for cold weather conditions, despite it being relevant for many European markets.

“Whether such a parameter will be included in the future should be decided when the label is reviewed in 2016 when a full impact assessment of the label will take place.

"Ongoing technical work on providing consumer information on ice grip at international level has begun, with the aim of evaluating the feasibility of a representative test method.”

Every tyre manufacturer Fleet News spoke to said they would be happy to see more information included with the label to include dry weather braking and handling, wet handling and aquaplaning resistance, tyre longevity and cold weather performance.