Smithers Rapra’s Ravenna, Ohio, testing laboratory has finished a laboratory alignment for the measurement of tire rolling resistance.

This extends the company’s capabilities as an independent tire test facility for United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation R117. Regulation R117 provides requirements for maximum rolling resistance, and tire noise as well as minimum wet grip for tires imported from Europe.  R117 is also commonly used for the US EPA’s SmartWay verification.

“Expanding our ability to test to the R117 standards at our U.S. lab provides our global customers with a network of certified Smithers Rapra laboratories to test their tires,” said Dr. James A. Popio, vice president and general manager of Smithers Rapra.

Smithers has a global network of ISO 17025 accredited tire test laboratories.