47. The Chair of the IWG on Vehicles Interior Air Quality (VIAQ) presented a status report on the ongoing activities of the group (GRPE-75-19). He recalled that the original mandate of the group would end in November 2017. He highlighted the conclusion of the work by the tabled proposal on a new Mutual Resolution on recommendations to harmonize test procedures of interior air emissions generated from interior materials (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2017/10). He presented GRPE-75-02-Rev.1 introducing some changes to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2017/10 and he referred to GRPE-75-03-Rev.1 as a consolidated version of both documents. He requested an extension of the mandate of the IWG on VIAQ until November 2020 to expand the work to consider not only emissions generated by interior materials but also gases from other sources that enter into the vehicle cabin. He introduced a first draft of the updated terms of reference and rules of procedure (GRPE-75-14) for this second stage of the work and expressed the group’s intention to submit a final version at the next GRPE session in January 2018. For this second stage of the work, he noted that the Russian Federation would chair the IWG, together with Korea as Vice-Chair and OICA for the Secretary. He explained that the endorsement by GRPE at this session of the extension of the mandate of the IWG on VIAQ would allow the group to continue working without any interruption between the end of the current mandate and the next GRPE session in January 2018. He invited all Contracting Parties to be involved in the new stage of work.

49. GRPE adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2017/10 amended by GRPE-75-02-Rev.1 as reproduced in Addendum 2 to this report and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.3 for consideration at their November 2017 sessions as draft Mutual Resolution No. 3.

34. The World Forum recalled the oral report of the Chair of GRPE given during the 172nd session (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1131, paras. 42-47) and approved the report.

99. The representative of the Netherlands, Chair of GRPE, presented the proposal for a new Mutual Resolution (M.R.3) of the 1958 and the 1998 Agreements concerning Vehicle Interior Air Quality (VIAQ) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/136).

100. WP.29 adopted the resolution and thanked GRPE for the work.

101. The representative of the Republic of Korea, Chair of the IWG on VIAQ, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the work on the Mutual Resolution, which started in 2013. He expressed his support of the document and his appreciation for the cooperation of delegates from China and OICA members in the endeavour. He announced the start of the second stage of the work on VIAQ under the leadership of the Russian Federation.

47. The Vice-Chair of the IWG on Vehicles Interior Air Quality (VIAQ) presented a status report on the ongoing activities of the group (GRPE-76-35). He recalled that the original mandate of the group ended in November 2017. He highlighted the conclusion of the work by the tabled proposal for a new Mutual Resolution on recommendations to harmonize test procedures of interior air emissions generated from interior materials (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/136) which was adopted by WP.29 and AC.3 during 173rd WP.29 session in Geneva (14-17 November 2017). He recalled that WP.29 had endorsed the extension of the mandate of the IWG on VIAQ until November 2020 to extend the work and consider not only emissions generated by interior materials, but also gases from other sources that enter into the vehicle cabin.

48. As Chair for the new stage of the IWG on VIAQ, the expert from the Russian Federation highlighted the existing standards on VIAQ in his country. He presented the revised Terms of Reference for the IWG on VIAQ (GRPE-76-27) which were adopted by GRPE, as reproduced in Annex VIII.

49. GRPE acknowledged the progress made by the IWG on VIAQ and noted the request for a meeting room for half a day during the GRPE week in June 2018.