125. The representative of the Netherlands introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/137, containing a proposal for amendments to UN Rule No.1 introducing an alternative method for measuring the particulate emissions of vehicles at the time of PTI.

126. WP.29 recommended to submit the proposal to AC.4 for adoption.

129. The representative of the Netherlands, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, introduced WP.29-191-34 providing details related to the PTI test for checking particulate filters of diesel cars with a particle counter, reporting on the reasons and activities that led to the elaboration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/137 and introducing ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/138 containing a proposed amendment to the Consolidated Resolution R.E.6 introducing the specifications and test methods.

130. The Chair of GRPE showed his appreciation to assist the IWG on PTI to help improve UN Rule No. 1 and R.E.6, and reminded the key role GRs play in amending text annexed to any of the 3 agreements.

131. WP.29 adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/138 and requested the secretariat to produce the final document and post it on the UNECE website.

221. With 11 of the 17 Contracting Parties to the 1997 Agreement applying UN Rule No. 1 present, AC.4 adopted Amendment 3 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/137 by a vote of 11 in favor, none against, and no abstentions.

85. The secretary of the IWG on Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI), representative from CITA, on behalf of the Co-Chairs of the IWG on PTI (the Netherlands and the Russian Federation), introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/9 and GRPE-89-24-Rev.2. He reminded the adoption of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/9 had been postponed at the January 2023 session of GRPE.

86. The representative of the European Commission asked whether this proposal would be formally adopted by GRPE. The Chair confirmed GRPE can adopt documents pertaining to any of the three agreements, and he encouraged GRPE to adopt this proposal during this session if possible.

87. The representative of the UK asked to elaborate on the square brackets around the emission limit still present in the proposal. The Chair confirmed this has to be agreed by GRPE.

88. The representative of the Netherlands explained the country as adopted a high limit value to avoid false negative and ask about the legal meaning of the sentence about mutual recognition under para. 3.2.2.

89. The representative of Germany informed GRPE that the country was about to start PN measurement at PTI in July 2023 and asked whether there was any discrepancy between the EU recommendation published recently and this proposal. The secretary of the IWG on PTI confirmed both text contained identical provisions.

90. The representative of the European Commission and Germany requested to make sure the PN limit would only be available from Euro 5b onwards for light duty vehicles. The representative of Australia also request to ensure the PN limit would only be available from Euro VI trucks.

91. GRPE adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/9 as amended by GRPE-89-24-Rev.2 as reflected in Annexes V and VI to the session report and requested the secretariat to submit it to the November 2023 session of WP.29 and AC.4.

86. The Co-Chair from the IWG on Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI), representative from the Netherlands, introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/9 and GRPE-87-57. He informed GRPE that similar activities on PN measurement at PTI was on-going in other regions, for example in the EU. He requested additional time to review ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/9 and reach harmonized approach before requested consideration by GRPE.

87. The representative from Germany informed GRPE that the country was about to start PN measurement at PTI and declared harmonized PN measurement at PTI was welcomed providing they do not contradict national legislation. He highlighted that there are already differences in equipment specifications and said that a limit of 250 000 #/cm3 was appropriate to detect malfunctioning particulate filters. He added that in a recent test campaign in Germany, some Euro 6 vehicles did not provide OBD signals for DPF regeneration status or EGR operation that would need to be discussed to be able to provide accurate interpretation of the measurements.

88. The representative from OICA expressed his surprise by the high share of vehicle with problems. He reminded that technologies to detect removed filters has improved but that not all OEMs have implemented such technologies until it was legally required.

89. The representative from CITA supported the proposal to align proposal and to slightly delay the consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/9. The representative from the European Commission, expert from the JRC, informed GRPE about the development of the EU recommendation on PN at PTI, and agreed to closely work with the IWG on PTI on harmonized provisions.

90. GRPE agreed to postpone the consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/9 until a revised proposal is delivered by the IWG on PTI.

91. The representative from CITA introduced GRPE-87-36. The representative from Germany sought some clarifications on the potential shortage of replacement particulate filters shortly after the introduction of the test in Belgium and requested further information on this topic. The representative from CITA confirmed the replacement parts shortage was still on-going, but that authorities were offering solutions to make sure owners could still use their cars, such as additional time to repair faulty vehicles.

92. The secretary from the IWG on PTI, representative from CITA, introduced GRPE-87-24. The representative from the European Commission asked whether emission tampering was a PTI or a type approval issue and called for GRPE to play an active role in the activities of the task force. The secretary from the IWG on PTI clarified tampering was both a PTI and type approval issues and added that all proposals form the task force on emission tampering under the IWG on PTI would be introduced to GRPE before submission to WP.29, and was adamant that a close working relationship between GRPE and the IWG of PTI was a prerequisite for successful activities of the task force on emission tampering.

93. The Chair confirmed it was appropriate to include such emission tampering issues under the umbrella of the IWG on PTI, with close links with GRPE. He sought the view of GRPE on the creation of an ambassador role for a delegate to report in GRPE about the activities of the task force on emission tampering. The representative from the European Commission thought an ambassador role was not appropriate, highlighting that GRPE should actively contribute to the activities of the task force. The representative from CITA said they were happy to convey information in the most efficient way to GRPE, as ambassador or not. The Chair highlighted an ambassador role was potentially not limited to information exchange and could have a more active role if need be. GRPE agreed to be regularly updated and to add such provision into the ToRs of the task force on emission tampering under the IWG on PTI.

94. The Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, representative from the Netherlands, highlighted there was a lot of emission tampering in heavy duty applications, and that market surveillance and roadside inspection were additional tools used on top of PTI to detect faulty vehicles and that such results could also be reported to GRPE in the future.