October 2026: New ISO Standard for Tyre Rolling Resistance Measurement in Rubber and Plastics Industries

The Rubber and Plastics Industries have received a significant update this October 2026, with the publication of ISO 28580:2026, a comprehensive standard focused on rolling resistance measurement methods for tyres used in passenger cars, trucks, and buses. The introduction of this revised ISO standard comes at a crucial time as the industry continues to prioritize energy efficiency, safety, and standardized testing across global supply chains. This article delivers a detailed exploration of the new requirements, scope, applicability, and impact on quality assurance and compliance.

Overview / Introduction

The Rubber and Plastics Industries play a pivotal role in modern mobility, sustainability, and material science. Tyres, in particular, are not just essential components for vehicles—they also directly influence energy consumption and vehicular emissions through rolling resistance. By adhering to rigorous international standards like ISO 28580:2026, industry stakeholders can ensure product consistency, regulatory compliance, and marketplace trust.

This article will guide readers through the newly released tyre rolling resistance measurement standard, its technical coverage, and compliance implications. Whether you are a quality manager, test laboratory professional, engineer, or procurement specialist, staying informed about these updates will be essential for aligning organizational practices with global best-in-class requirements.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 28580:2026 - Passenger Car, Truck and Bus Tyre Rolling Resistance Measurement Methods — Single Point Test and Correlation of Measurement Results

Passenger Car, Truck and Bus Tyre Rolling Resistance Measurement Methods — Single Point Test and Correlation of Measurement Results

ISO 28580:2026 represents the third edition of this crucial tyre industry standard, superseding the previous 2018 edition. Its primary focus is on specifying laboratory procedures for accurately measuring the rolling resistance of new pneumatic tyres designed for use on passenger cars, trucks, and buses. This standard is vital for organizations seeking to improve fuel efficiency, ensure safety, and demonstrate regulatory compliance.

Scope and Applicability

ISO 28580:2026 applies to new pneumatic tyres for passenger cars, trucks, and buses—excluding those intended solely for temporary use. Its methods allow manufacturers, research labs, and compliance bodies to assess and compare rolling resistance under standardized lab conditions. The standard also introduces robust procedures for correlating test measurement results, thereby facilitating inter-laboratory comparisons and harmonizing results globally.

Key Requirements and Specifications

• Comprehensive Test Methods: ISO 28580:2026 provides four principal measurement techniques: force method, torque method, deceleration method, and power method. Each quantifies rolling resistance under specified conditions, allowing for flexibility in laboratory implementation while ensuring uniformity in result interpretation.
• Test Equipment and Setup: The standard details critical equipment attributes, such as drum diameter (minimum 1.7 m, standardized to 2.0 m for result reporting), drum surface characteristics, measuring rims, and precision specifications for load, alignment, and instrument accuracy.
• Test Conditions and Procedures: Procedures include capped inflation, defined test speeds and loads (with tables by tyre type), thermal conditioning requirements, warm-up protocols, and prescribed sequence for data recording.
• Parasitic Losses and Data Correction: Explicit techniques are given for measuring parasitic losses (e.g., skim test reading, deceleration method) to isolate true rolling resistance values from test machinery interferences.
• Data Analysis and Correlation: The standard requires application of temperature and drum diameter correction factors, measurement of the rolling resistance coefficient, and systematic data recording. Additionally, it establishes a framework for alignment between reference and candidate machines for reliable inter-lab result comparison.
• Revision Highlights: Annex G is newly introduced, outlining optional test conditions for assessing sensitivity to test speed, tyre load, and inflation pressure—offering users flexibility and increased insight during research or regulatory review.

Who Needs to Comply

• Tyre manufacturers (passenger, truck, bus sectors)
• Independent and OEM test laboratories
• Automotive OEMs and fleet operators
• Regulatory agencies and certification bodies
• Research organizations focused on vehicle dynamics or efficiency

Practical Implications

Implementing ISO 28580:2026 enables organizations to:

• Benchmark tyre designs for energy efficiency and sustainability
• Support type-approval, labelling, or regulatory reporting obligations
• Reduce uncertainty in rolling resistance data via harmonized, inter-lab protocols
• Respond quickly to customer requirements or market trends for eco-friendly transport

Key highlights:

• Specifies test methods for rolling resistance in new tyre designs
• Defines laboratory controls, data correction, and result correlation techniques
• Improves reliability of inter-laboratory comparison for regulatory and commercial needs

Access the full standard:View ISO 28580:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Robust measurement of rolling resistance, as mandated by ISO 28580:2026, has far-reaching impacts across the automotive tyres sector:

• Regulatory Alignment: Many global markets now require reporting of tyre rolling resistance as a prerequisite for product labelling, market access, or incentives. This standard provides a harmonized method to meet those obligations.
• Quality Assurance: Through its comprehensive criteria (test conditions, equipment tolerances, machine alignment), the standard ensures consistent quality in testing and reporting—minimizing disputes and reducing recall risks.
• Cost Savings & Efficiency: Unified procedures allow organizations to reduce duplication of efforts and optimize product development cycles by benchmarking against universally accepted data.
• Environmental Responsibility: Lower rolling resistance tyres contribute directly to fuel or energy savings and lower greenhouse gas emissions, supporting sustainability goals for manufacturers and fleets.

Compliance Considerations and Timelines

Organizations must

1. Review existing laboratory and quality processes against ISO 28580:2026 requirements
2. Update or calibrate testing equipment, retrain staff, and revise data reporting formats as needed
3. Ensure all rolling resistance data included in regulatory filings or customer agreements adheres to the new methodology

Forward-thinking companies will initiate these activities promptly—gaining competitive advantage and avoiding compliance penalties as regulators or markets adopt the latest ISO requirements.

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Inaccurate energy labelling and potential regulatory sanctions
• Loss of market access in regions mandating ISO 28580:2026-compliant data
• Decrease in consumer and partner trust due to inconsistent test results

Technical Insights

ISO 28580:2026 brings together a range of technical best practices and methodologies, drawing from both tire industry experience and rigorous laboratory standards.

Common Technical Requirements

• Test Drum Specifications: All measurements are referenced to a drum of 2.0 m diameter; corrections for other drum sizes are explicitly addressed
• Environmental Controls: Tests must be conducted at a reference ambient temperature (usually 25°C), with required corrections for deviation
• Precision Measurement: Gives strict requirements for instrument accuracy and equipment calibration that align with ISO/IEC 17025 (general competence of testing and calibration laboratories)
• Machine Alignment and Inter-Lab Correlation: Introduces procedures for using reference/candidate machines and alignment tyres to create a data bridge between different lab setups, thus standardizing results internationally

Implementation Best Practices

• Early Gap Assessment: Conduct a gap analysis comparing current practices to the new requirements
• Staff Training: Train technical teams in new procedures—especially the methods for identifying and correcting parasitic losses
• Documentation Updates: Revise standard operating procedures and laboratory manuals
• Invest in Calibration: Regular calibration of equipment and attention to drift (systematic error over time) are essential for data validity

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Choose Appropriately Accredited Labs: Compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 is a backbone requirement
• Monitor for Machine Drift: Use control tyres and drift monitoring protocols as set forth in Annex F
• Extend to Optional Conditions: Utilize Annex G if evaluating tyres under non-standard scenarios (e.g., higher speeds, varying loads)

Conclusion / Next Steps

ISO 28580:2026 stands out as a pivotal, harmonized standard for rolling resistance measurement in the Rubber and Plastics Industries. It offers a clear framework for benchmarking, compliance, and continuous product improvement. With regulatory landscapes tightening around energy efficiency, early implementation is not only a best practice—it is a competitive imperative.

Key Takeaways:

• Update laboratory and quality protocols to reflect ISO 28580:2026
• Invest in equipment calibration, operator training, and data management
• Engage with industry partners and certification bodies to ensure seamless transition

Stay informed and lead the way—explore the full standard and more at iTeh Standards.

For procurement professionals, quality managers, and engineering teams, keeping pace with these updates is crucial to maintaining compliance, mitigating risks, and sustaining excellence within the competitive rubber and plastics sector. Bookmark iTeh Standards for ongoing international standards coverage, regulatory news, and expert analysis.