AutoSock first to gain European supplementary grip standard

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published the new European Standard EN16662-1:2020 for supplementary grip devices on 27 May 2020, which covers not only metal snow chains but also devices made from other materials. On 27 September AutoSock announced that its textile alternative for cars and light commercial vehicles to 3.5 tons was the first and is currently the only product worldwide to be certified according to the new European Standard. As a result, it will be a regulatory approved alternative to snow chains in all EU countries effective 1 December 2020.

Metal tyre chains are mandatory in most alpine regions of Austria, Germany and Italy. EN16662-1 initiates a fundamental change to existing regulations. It imposes a pan-European acceptance of alternatives to metal snow chains if they comply with the new standard.

The new Standard EN16662-1 defines requirements for the safety, quality and performance of supplementary grip devices, independent of their manufacturing material or technology. Consequently, textile devices as well as rubber and metal chains will from now on be certified against the same standard and must fulfil the same minimum requirements. All EU member states must publish an equivalent national standard by 30 November 2020 at the latest, and any existing, conflicting standards must be withdrawn at the same time.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer AutoSock as an alternative to snow chains in all EU countries”, says Odd Christian Krohn, CEO of AutoSock Operations AS, when asked about the certification. “We have worked for 10 years towards this goal and have worked with CEN to define the minimum requirements and standards.”

AutoSock Operations AS has manufactured and distributed AutoSock textile traction devices since its invention by Norwegian tyre expert Bård Løtveit in 1996.