18. The expert from the Netherlands recalled the two studies presented at the previous session of GRB and introduced further arguments for tightening tyre noise limits in Regulation No. 117, together with the text of draft amendments (GRB-61-03 and Add.1). The expert from ETRTO questioned if the pool of tyres selected for the Dutch studies had indeed been a representative sample (GRB-61-18). He further pointed out that, for the time being, the tyre industry was busy meeting the requirements of 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 117 which had recently come into force, in November 2012. According to him, until the completion of this process by 2018-2020, it would be premature to consider further reducing of tyre noise limits. The experts from China, Norway and Switzerland agreed that the proposal by the Netherlands needed further study. The experts from France and Germany pointed out various problems with labelling of tyres. GRB invited experts to provide their comments on the Dutch proposal and decided to revert to this issue at the next session on the basis of a new informal document containing the draft amendment proposals tabled by the expert from the Netherlands in GRB-61-03.

19. The expert from the Russian Federation presented historical developments of health standards and regulations on internal noise in the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation (GRB-61-17). He also informed GRB that, as from 1 January 2015, a new regional regulation had come into force in the Customs Union establishing obligatory values for internal noise. He further clarified that his presentation was only for information purposes and that any concrete proposals could only be submitted to GRB when standard ISO-5128 on measuring internal noise, dated back to 1980, would be updated. The expert from ISO reported on ISO activities in this respect. The Chair proposed to keep this issue in the agenda and, as a first step, to consider if the methods for measuring inside noise in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) should be updated.

20. The expert from the Netherlands presented a discussion paper (GRB-61-01 and Add.1) exploring the possibility of introducing a noise label system for vehicles and providing an initial model for such labelling. In particular, he suggested that a labelling system for private cars rely on scores for interior noise, powertrain noise (engine and exhaust system), and tyre noise. The experts from Austria, France, Germany and OICA raised practical questions regarding the potential advantages of such a labelling system for customers. The expert from the European Commission pointed out that labelling falls under the competence of the Community and that the EU internal procedures should be followed. GRB decided to come back to this issue at the next session.