Webinar for tyre scheme

A product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres (ELTs) gets under way on March 1 and importers can find out more via a webinar.

The Waste Minimisation (Tyres) Regulations require those importing or selling regulated tyres, whether loose or attached to a vehicle, to register with Tyrewise.

The scheme aims to reduce environmental harm by managing ELTs from collection to processing, and the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is hosting a webinar on February 14 about it.

Regulations take effect at the start of March and Tyrewise – the accredited product stewardship scheme – will be fully operational from September 1.

Regulated tyres are all pneumatic and solid tyres for use on motorised vehicles including cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, aircraft and off-road vehicles, and can be loose or attached to a vehicle.

All importers of regulated tyres are classed as liable parties and must register with Tyrewise.

Stewardship fees must be paid on all regulated tyres and these must be transparently passed on through the supply chain to the consumer – in the same way as on-road costs. For cars and SUVs, the cost is $33.25 per vehicle, says VIA. For vans and utes, the cost is $66.70 per vehicle.

Charges for tyres on vehicles registered for on-road use will be collected by the NZTA as part of the on-road costs at first point of registration.

Vehicle importers’ role

Importers could have a variety of obligations from March 1 depending on where and when vehicle registration takes place based on different scenarios applicable. 

• If you are the importer, but will not register the vehicle, you are responsible for advising your customer of the obligation to pay the fee at the first point of registration, or self-declaring the import to the MfE if it will not be registered.

• If you are the vehicle importer, and register it, you will pay the fee at first point of registration as part of the on-road costs. You must also transparently declare the fee to your customer on the invoice or sale agreement.

• If you import the vehicle, register it and offer a fitting service for tyres, you are responsible for paying the fee at the first point of registration as part of the on-road costs and declaring the fee to your customer on the invoice or sale agreement.

From September 1, you must retain ELTs you have taken off vehicles, use the Tyrewise software – phone or web app – to book their free collection and not charge your customer for the disposal of their old tyres.

Off-road imports

If you are the vehicle importer, and the vehicle is not registered for on-road use, from March 1 you are responsible for advising the MfE that you have imported a vehicle that will not be registered for road use.

A link to the form to report the information about the vehicle will be found on Tyrewise’s website.

You will need to declare the tyres attached to the imported vehicle via the form, which enables the MfE to invoice you for the number and type of tyres attached to the vehicle. You must transparently declare the fee to your customer on the invoice or sale agreement.

If, at a later date, your customer chooses to register the vehicle for on-road use, they can use the invoice or sale agreement as proof for the NZTA that the tyre stewardship fee has already been paid. You should advise your customer of the need to retain the agreement for this purpose.

Register with Tyrewise

Ensuring tyres end up where they can create value for our economy requires all parts of their supply chain to register with Tyrewise, from importers and retailers to transporters and processors, says VIA in an alert to members. This includes all importers of vehicles.

“Registration allows Tyrewise to provide you with relevant information for your team and customers, and communicate with you regarding your obligations,” it continues. 

“You can start the registration process at www.tyrewise.co.nz. The Tyrewise team will then visit most participants to discuss their role and obligations.

“Part of the registration process includes signing up to the code of practice as an importer of a regulated product. This document is supplied as part of the registration process.

“VIA’s advocacy efforts ensured the administration needs of this scheme would be minimal for dealers as we were successful in getting the declaration and payment to be included in on-road costs payable to the NZTA.”

The association has invited representatives from Tyrewise to present at its February 14 webinar. Click here to register for this event starting at 12.30pm. There will also be an update on current work to establish a large EV battery stewardship scheme. For questions about Tyrewise, email info@tyrewise.co.nz.