31. The expert from the United Kingdom, Co-Chair of the Task Force on Tyre Abrasion (TF TA), reported on their progress (GRBP-80-22). He explained that TF TA was conducting market assessment for developing future limits for tyre abrasion based on the two adopted test methods, namely the outdoor road circuit method and the indoor drum method. To ensure proper multi-circuit and multi-drum correlation, GRBP encouraged additional test centres to join the assessment campaign.

32. GRBP was informed that, at the June 2024 session of WP.29, the representative of the Russian Federation had presented WP.29-193-10 on the establishment of limits for emissions of carcinogenic substances from tyres and had suggested that TF TA should explore the possibility of introducing limits for such substances (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – PAH) in tyre production compounds. WP.29 had requested GRBP to consider the issue and to report back to WP.29.

33. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced the results of their research on the carcinogenicity of tyres and rubbers (GRBP-80-10-Rev.1). The expert pointed out that PAH emissions are associated with tyre wear and therefore suggested that TF TA should develop regulatory provisions for carcinogenic safety of tyres. He added that standard ISO 21461 could be used for testing tyres as a finished product and that a limit for overall carcinogenicity of tyres could be included in UN Regulation No. 117.

34. The expert from the United Kingdom, Co-Chair of TF TA, pointed out that TF TA did not have expertise in this field and, in addition, was engrossed with their mandated work. He also believed that the Working Party on Pollution and Energy (GRPE) would be more appropriate to tackle the issue. The expert from EC recalled the EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), which inter alia applies to tyres, and did not see the need for another regulation in this area at the UN level. The expert from ETRTO stated that the members of their organization are committed to REACH and questioned the expertise and competence of WP.29 and its subsidiary Working Parties (GRs) in the area of chemicals. He also pointed out that the issue of carcinogenic substances should be addressed at the national level and that double regulation (both at national and UN levels) should be avoided.

35. The Chair concluded that neither GRBP nor TF TA had the necessary expertise and that GRPE seemed to be the only GR which might be competent. The Chair would convey this message to WP.29 at its next session in November 2024.