44. WP.29 endorsed the extension of the mandate of the IWG on VIAQ until November 2020 to extend the work to consider not only emissions generated by interior materials, but also gases from other sources that enter into the vehicle cabin. WP.29 noted that a first draft of the updated terms of reference and rules of procedure was submitted by the IWG on VIAQ at the June 2017 GRPE session (GRPE-75-14) and that a final version is expected to be considered by GRPE at its January 2018 session.

45. As new Chair for the new stage of the IWG on VIAQ, the representative of the Russian Federation highlighted the existing standards on VIAQ in in his country since 2010 and in the Eurasian region since 2015. He expressed the willingness to lead the activities of the IWG on VIAQ based on the experience in the Russian Federation in such important topic to reduce threats to people health.

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.

50. GRPE endorsed the extension of the mandate of the IWG on VIAQ until November 2020 subject to the final endorsement of WP.29 at its June 2017 session. GRPE noted that the IWG on VIAQ would submit the final version of the terms of reference and rules of procedure as an informal document, to be attached to the report in case of adoption, at the next GRPE session.