Materials and adhesives used in the construction of vehicle interiors can emit volatile organic compounds(VOCs), aldehydes, or other substances that are harmful to human body. Korea, Japan, and China have legislation related to this subject and ISO 12219-1:2012 concerns the measurement of volatile organic compounds in cabin interiors. Many vehicle manufacturers have also addressed this issue. Therefore, Korea proposes that WP.29 undertake an effort to establish worldwide uniform standards to ensure healthy vehicle interior air quality (VIAQ).
75. The expert from Korea introduced GRPE-66-03, containing a proposal to develop a new UN GTR on Vehicles Indoor Air Quality (VIAQ), in order to secure consumers’ health and safe driving environment against harmful substances, minimizing emission of the harmful substances upon manufacturing vehicles. The proposal was supported by a presentation (GRPE-66-40) on recent research on the subject.
76. The expert from the USA expressed his interest in the proposal. Answering specific questions from the experts from the USA and the Russian Federation, the expert from Korea clarified that the tests for vehicle indoor air quality were carried out on new vehicles and in laboratory conditions.
77. GRPE agreed to report on this proposal to WP.29 in June 2013. GRPE also recalled that the requests for mandates to amend and/or develop UN GTRs shall be submitted directly by contracting parties to WP.29 and AC.3, inviting Korea to do so.