43. The secretariat briefed GRPE about the World Forum WP.29’s discussion at its November 2010 session on the lack of an agreement between the oil industry and the automobile manufacturers on developing recommendations for market fuel quality. He added that the mandate of the informal group on Fuel Quality (FQ) had ended in November 2010 and that the World Forum had agreed to take a decision, at its next session in March 2011, on the eventual continuation of the work in this area, on the basis of further information to be provided by GRPE. He introduced GRPE-61-13 presenting the position of the International Petroleum Industry Environment Conservation Association (IPIECA). He underlined that the oil industry could agree on the specifications on lead and sulphur for Euro 2 to Euro 4 and to submit them to WP.29 as a recommendation to be added to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3). He added that IPIECA would not contribute to any future activities of the informal group further than the agreed outcome.
44. The expert from OICA presented his organization’s position on the outcome of fuel quality (GRPE-61-10). She introduced GRPE-61-11 proposing concrete guidelines on market fuel quality. GRPE welcomed the proposal and endorsed the suggestion to prepare it as a new annex to the R.E.3. GRPE noted the guidelines for handling and blending Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) referenced in GRPE-61-11-Rev.1. The secretariat was requested to distribute GRPE-61-11-Rev.1 with an official symbol for a final review by GRPE at its next session in June 2011.
45. The experts from India and the Republic of Korea were in favour of developing recommendations on market fuel quality. After the June’s discussion, GRPE is expected to conclude, in 2011, the first step for market fuel quality specifications. GRPE did not consider it necessary to extend the mandate of the informal group on FQ. It was agreed that further discussions will take place during the GRPE session proper.
46. The GRPE Chair announced his intention to inform WP.29 about the outcome of the discussion and to seek WP.29’s consent on the proposed approach. GRPE also agree to resume reconsideration on this issue at the next session of GRPE in June 2011.