AutoSock will be a regulatory approved alternative to snow chains in all countries of the European Union with effect from 1st December 2020. The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) published the new European Standard EN16662-1:2020 for supplementary grip devices on 27th May 2020, covering not only metal snow chains but also devices made from other materials. AutoSock for cars and light commercial vehicles to 3.5 tons is the only product worldwide which is currently approved and certified according to the new European Standard.
Even winter tyres may not provide sufficient safety for driving in winter, which is why snow chains are an important driving safety accessory. Metal chains are mandatory in most alpine regions of Austria, Germany and Italy. The new European Standard 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.
“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.”
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 (e.g. AutoSock) 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an equivalent national standard by 30th November 2020 at the latest, and any existing, conflicting standards must be withdrawn at the same time.
