R51/R138-18-06
UN R51: Informal group proposal to amend GRBP/2026/4
Source(s)
Date
20 Jan 2026
Status
Subject
Meeting(s)

Proposal to amend GRBP/2026/4. Amendments to UN Regulation No. 51 include updates to the Table of Symbols in paragraph 2.24; new definitions for Active Sound Source, Enhanced Exterior Sound (EES), and Vehicle Master Control Switch; specifications for EES operation requiring driver intentional action and default deactivation; sound limits complying with UN-Regulation No. 138 below 20 km/h and this Regulation from 20 to 80 km/h; transitional provisions allowing extension of existing approvals for 24 months; modifications to Annex 7 control ranges, anchor points, and slope calculations for electrically propelled vehicles; and updates to Annex 1 and Annex 3 regarding EES systems. GRB-68-03 commitment to add EES guidance document is confirmed.

UNECE server
Excerpts from session reports
GRB | Session 68 | 12-14 Sep 2018

8. The expert from IWG ASEP presented GRB-68-03 on interpreting the general ASEP provisions in the last sentence of paragraph 6.2.3. of the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51. IWG ASEP was of the view that the developed definitions and specifications were adequate and valid enough to satisfy the intention of this sentence. Outside the specified control range, IWG ASEP deemed it difficult to provide viable specifications. IWG ASEP suggested that the provided interpretation be used as guidance for manufacturers, technical services, and type approval authorities for the practical application during type approval, conformity of production, and market surveillance.

9. GRB endorsed GRB-68-03 and requested the secretariat to publish it as a reference document under a special folder on the GRB website. GRB also recommended IWG ASEP to keep this document for further consideration within the ongoing revision process of ASEP.

GRBP | Session 83 | 10-13 Feb

7. The IWG RD-ASEP Subgroup on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 138 reported on their activities (GRBP-83-08-Rev.1) and introduced GRBP-83-09-Rev.1 proposing to amend ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2026/4. The representative of France acknowledged the good progress achieved, for example by requiring drivers to activate the device; he wondered about how to deal with artificial sound for speed > 80km/h, and its potential inclusion in the guidance document being prepared. He requested to be included in any task to update the provisions in the future. The representative of Germany confirmed a new version of GRB-68-03 was planned, providing guidance for speeds not covered by the current text.

8. GRBP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2026/4 as amended by GRBP-83-09-Rev.1.

9. Given the adoption of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2026/4 as amended by GRBP-83-09-Rev1, the representative of OICA withdrew ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2026/14 from consideration by GRBP.