17. The expert from EC briefed GRB on preparing a new EU Regulation aimed to amend and supplement the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) requirements in Annex VIII to EU Regulation No. 540/2014, based on the provisions of Regulation No. 138 and its 01 series of amendments (GRB-65-05). GRB noted the legal complications stemming from the fact that the so-called AVAS ‘pause switch’ was mandatory in EU Regulation No. 540/2014, optional in the original version of Regulation No. 138 and then prohibited in its 01 series of amendments.

18. The expert from the United States of America, in his capacity of Chair of IWG on Quiet Road Transport Vehicle (QRTV) Global Technical Regulation (GTR), informed GRB that the National Rule on Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles had been published in November 2016. He reported on the national procedures for the entry into force of the National Rule and pointed out that its effective date of implementation would be 21 March 2017. He further indicated his intention to convene the next session of IWG QRTV GTR shortly after that date. GRB also noted that WP.29 had agreed to extend the mandate of IWG QRTV GTR until December 2018.

19. The expert from OICA proposed to slightly modify the wording of the transitional provisions introduced in the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 138 (GRB-65-23). Following a brief exchange of comments, GRB invited OICA to submit an official document for consideration at the next session.