The status report submitted by the group of interested experts (GOIE) from Finland, Germany, Japan, Norway, Russian Federation, BIPAVER, ETRTO and OICA

19. On behalf of the Group Of Interested Experts on snow tyre provisions (GOIE), the expert from Germany reported on their progress (GRBP-71-20). In particular, he proposed establishing a new task force on studded tyres with the objective to draft a new UN Regulation on the approval of studded tyres regarding their snow performance. GRBP endorsed this proposal and noted that the duties of the Chair and Secretary of the task force would be performed by the experts from Finland and ETRTO, respectively.

20. With additional explanations of GOIE (GRBP-71-26), GRBP resumed discussion on the new class of special use tyres intended for use under severe snow conditions (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2019/14). GRBP noted that the proposed new class would provide for better road safety characteristics under severe snow conditions, but with a small increase in the rolling noise. The experts from Germany, Netherlands and Russian Federation supported the proposal. The expert from EC was not in position to agree to the proposal, due to the envisaged higher noise limits which would require modifications of European Union legislation. GRBP decided to revert to this issue at the next session.

Supporting information regarding the proposal for the type approval of special-use tyres designed for severe snow conditions.

19. On behalf of the Group Of Interested Experts on snow tyre provisions (GOIE), the expert from Germany reported on their progress (GRBP-71-20). In particular, he proposed establishing a new task force on studded tyres with the objective to draft a new UN Regulation on the approval of studded tyres regarding their snow performance. GRBP endorsed this proposal and noted that the duties of the Chair and Secretary of the task force would be performed by the experts from Finland and ETRTO, respectively.

20. With additional explanations of GOIE (GRBP-71-26), GRBP resumed discussion on the new class of special use tyres intended for use under severe snow conditions (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2019/14). GRBP noted that the proposed new class would provide for better road safety characteristics under severe snow conditions, but with a small increase in the rolling noise. The experts from Germany, Netherlands and Russian Federation supported the proposal. The expert from EC was not in position to agree to the proposal, due to the envisaged higher noise limits which would require modifications of European Union legislation. GRBP decided to revert to this issue at the next session.

Proposal from the group of interested experts to allow for the type approval of special-use tyres designed for severe snow conditions.

13. On behalf of the group of interested experts (GOIE) on snow tyre provisions, the experts from Germany and ETRTO introduced draft amendments which would allow the type approval of special use tyres that fulfil the requirements for snow performance in Annex 7 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2019/14). The experts of China, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and OICA raised several questions on the proposed new definitions and limits. The expert from EC made a reservation, because the EU member States should first reach a common position on the proposal which would set up new less stringent limits. The expert of the Russian Federation, being part of GOIE, volunteered to deliver a presentation at the next session with the aim to provide additional explanations. GRBP decided to continue this discussion at the next session.

19. On behalf of the Group Of Interested Experts on snow tyre provisions (GOIE), the expert from Germany reported on their progress (GRBP-71-20). In particular, he proposed establishing a new task force on studded tyres with the objective to draft a new UN Regulation on the approval of studded tyres regarding their snow performance. GRBP endorsed this proposal and noted that the duties of the Chair and Secretary of the task force would be performed by the experts from Finland and ETRTO, respectively.

20. With additional explanations of GOIE (GRBP-71-26), GRBP resumed discussion on the new class of special use tyres intended for use under severe snow conditions (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2019/14). GRBP noted that the proposed new class would provide for better road safety characteristics under severe snow conditions, but with a small increase in the rolling noise. The experts from Germany, Netherlands and Russian Federation supported the proposal. The expert from EC was not in position to agree to the proposal, due to the envisaged higher noise limits which would require modifications of European Union legislation. GRBP decided to revert to this issue at the next session.

The text submitted by the experts from the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) to amend the Japanese proposal for a Supplement to the 02 series of amendments (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2020/6)

21. The expert from Japan introduced an amendment which addressed unique light trucks available on the Japanese market (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/6). The expert of ETRTO proposed a slight modification (GRBP-71-29). GRBP adopted the proposal, as contained in Annex VII, and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2020 sessions Supplement 12 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

Proposal to adapt the rolling-sound measurement procedures to accommodate special C2 tyres presenting a section width wider than 200 mm, aspect ratio lower than 55, rim diameter code lower than 15 and without any dual fitting indication (i.e. the front size 175/75R15 LT and the rear size 235/50R14 LT or the front size 175/75R15 LT and the rear size 265/50R14 LT).

21. The expert from Japan introduced an amendment which addressed unique light trucks available on the Japanese market (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/6). The expert of ETRTO proposed a slight modification (GRBP-71-29). GRBP adopted the proposal, as contained in Annex VII, and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2020 sessions Supplement 12 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

22. The expert from France, Chair of the IWG on Wet Grip Performance of Tyres in a Worn State (IWG WGWT), reported on their progress (GRBP-71-23). She pointed out that the IWG WGWT objectives were to present an informal document to the seventy-second session of GRBP in September 2020 and to submit a formal paper to the seventy-third session of GRBP in January 2021.

18. The expert of ETRTO pointed out the need for a new definition of “traction tyres”, because the current definition did not well segregate real traction tyres from non-traction ones (GRBP-70-19). The experts from OICA commented on the document. The Chair invited ETRTO, in cooperation with OICA, to prepare a formal proposal for consideration at the next session.

17. The expert from ETRTO provided an update of tyre industry and ISO activities on improving the wet grip test method for passenger car tyres (C1) (GRBP-70-20) and indicated his intention to submit a working document to the next session of GRBP. The Chair encouraged GRBP experts to send their comments to ETRTO.

ETRTO proposal for the replacement of the current Standard Reference Test Tyre as it is being phased out as production will stop mid of 2020. Snow performance test in R117 currently requires SRTT14 as a reference tyre. SRTT14 needs to be replaced and test procedure amended.

18. The expert from ETRTO reported that, in 2020-2021, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) would be phasing out the Standard Reference Test Tyre SRTT14 (ASTM E1136) which was referenced in UN Regulations Nos. 108 and 117 (GRBP-71-06). Therefore, these references would need to be replaced by SRTT16 (ASTM F2493) tyre, and the test procedure should be amended accordingly. The Chair invited ETRTO to submit an official document with draft amendments to UN Regulation No. 117 for consideration at the next session. The expert from BIPAVER volunteered to cooperate with ETRTO with the aim to prepare similar amendments to UN Regulation No. 108.