6. GRB noted the final report commissioned by the European Commission on vehicle noise limit values (VENOLIVA: GRB-54-01). The expert from Germany introduced GRB-54-03, proposing three stages of reducing vehicle noise limit values for measurement method B, linked to categories of vehicles and transitional provisions. He explained that the proposal was a compromise among environmental benefits, technical feasibility for vehicle manufacturers and cost burden for consumers. The expert from Austria on behalf of the expert from Germany fully supported the proposal. The expert from Norway requested efforts for more ambitious targets and that the Working Group on Pollution and Energy (GRPE) should provide clarification on the noise effects of cold start engine test requirements for the next session of GRB. The expert from Italy supported in principle the proposal. However, he stated that: (i) the additional transitional period in stage 1 for new vehicle registration would be an unnecessary burden for type approval authorities and (ii) for stage 3 a revision clause on limit values would be needed due to its long time span. Moreover, the expert from the United Kingdom also supported the proposal and underlined that the long time period between stages was welcome on the condition of respect to the high power sport cars where platform life is longer than conventional cars. The expert from the Netherlands welcomed the proposal (including vehicle classification) as a good basis for discussion and envisaged particularly stage 3. However, he added that further discussion was needed on limit values and proper time schedule for heavy duty vehicles. The experts from France and Sweden also supported the proposal as a first approach. Finally, the proposal tabled by the expert from Germany received in principle support from GRB experts as a realistic first step of discussion.

7. The expert from Japan introduced GRB-54-14 and GRB-54-16 proposing a review of subcategories of vehicles with respect to the new limit values. He also introduced GRB-54-15 proposing a categorization of Kei N1 vehicles. GRB agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its February 2012 session on the basis of a revised proposal by the expert from Japan. Finally, the expert from the Netherlands volunteered, with the assistance of the expert from OICA, to prepare an informal consolidated version of Regulation No. 51 for the next GRB session, to facilitate future discussions on new limit values and subcategories of vehicles concerning measurement method B.