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.