GRSP-79-33
GTR 20: Presentation on proposal to update thermal propagation provisions

The document presents an update on the amendment of GTR No. 20 concerning new requirements on thermal propagation. CPs/sponsors agreed to delete para. 265, which was considered redundant in view of paras. 263 and 264. The amendment addresses flammability, toxicity, and corrosiveness of vented gas, with final endorsement by GRSP expected in June 2026 and adoption by WP.29 in November 2026.

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Excerpts from session reports
WP.29 | Session 198 | 9-13 Mar

124. The representative of the European Commission informed AC.3 that IWG-EVS had submitted a draft proposal for an amendment to UN GTR No. 20 to the December 2025 session of GRSP which had been well received, that it had now sent a final proposal to the June 2026 session of GRSP and that it expected this proposal to be presented to AC.3 for final adoption on its November 2026 session. This proposal focused on thermal propagation and represented the conclusion of phase 2 of the IWG. He informed that the IWG was now requesting authorization to develop a phase 3 of amendments (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/42), encompassing some pending issues from the previous phases, as well as some new issues which had been identified (see paragraph 9 in the request for a full list). Phase 3 of the IWG-EVS would be co-chaired by Canada and the European Commission, with a Vice-Chair from China and with Japan acting as secretariat. The representative of China expressed the willingness to contribute to the work under phase III of EVS and requested to act as Co-Chair together with Canada and the European Union. The representative of the European Commission requested an initial period of 4 years to develop this work. AC.3 endorsed the request for authorization (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/42) and requested the secretariat to distribute it with an AC.3 symbol at its June 2026 session.