UN / ECE R 109 Tests

UN ECE R109 tests cover a series of tests carried out in accordance with the relevant regulation for the evaluation of commercial vehicles and their trailers in terms of coated pneumatic tire equipment.

ECE regulations define cross-border technical regulations for establishing approval or uniform approval procedures for motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. Automated commercial vehicles are already fully eligible for approval only through appropriate individual measures in the country in which they will be used. What is missing is a set of rules at the international ECE level.

Regulation 109 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) — Covers the uniform provisions regarding the approval of the production of coated pneumatic tires for commercial vehicles and their trailers, and the tests applied accordingly.

Coating is the general term for reconditioning a used tire by replacing the old tire with new material. It may also include refurbishing the outermost sidewall surface (eg ASP) and replacing the crown plies or protective breaker.

This Regulation applies to the manufacture of retreaded tires intended for installation on commercial vehicles and road trailers. However, it does not apply to:

• Tinted tires for private (passenger) cars and their trailers.
• Coated tires with a speed capacity of less than 80 km/h.
• Tires for bicycles and motorcycles.
• Tires originally produced without speed symbols and/or load indices.
• Tires that were originally produced without type approval and are not marked "E" or "e".

Within the scope of the regulation, many mechanical, dynamic and environmental tests are carried out as well as measurements for the approval of the relevant equipment. For tests to be considered successful, test results must meet regulatory requirements.