Proposal to introduce requirements for silencers or
components filled with absorbing materials into Regulation No. 59.

16. Recalling the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2008/5/Rev.2, the expert from CLEPA volunteered to prepare an updated proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 51. GRB agreed to have, at its next session in February 2011, a final review of the proposal on the basis of a new official document to be submitted by CLEPA.

Proposal integrated into UN R59 via Revision 1.

14. GRB agreed to defer discussion on this agenda item to its February 2012 session, awaiting a concrete proposal from the expert of the Netherlands to harmonize the terminology used in the Regulations concerned.

Definitions and acronyms in Regulations under GRB responsibilities on the basis of an initiative of the Working Party on Pollution and Energy

23. GRB was informed about the current intention of GRPE to list all definitions and acronyms currently in the Regulations on noise emissions under its responsibility to avoid misconception when used in other Regulations. In this respect it was noted that RESS acronym (Replacement Exhaust Silencing Systems) was also used by the Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP) for Rechargeable Energy Storage Systems. GRB agreed to resume discussion at its February 2012 session on the basis of a proposal voluntarily prepared by the experts from OICA and ISO.

24. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRB-54-05, proposing a revision of the titles of Regulations under GRB responsibilities. The proposal received comments from GRB experts, such as to replace the word “noise” with “sound” in all the texts of Regulations. GRB agreed to resume discussion on this subject on the basis of a proposal jointly prepared by the experts from the Russian Federation and the Netherlands.

25. GRB also agreed to revise the scope of noise Regulations annexed to the 1958 Agreement, shown by categories of vehicles in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) with the intention to include especially L6 and L7 categories. Accordingly it was agreed to introduce a new agenda item on this subject in the agenda of the February 2012 session of GRB.

Proposal to align UN R59 with recent amendments to UN R51.

10. The expert from CLEPA introduced GRB-54-09 proposing the inclusion of the additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) also into Regulation No. 59. The proposal received comments from GRB experts, such as the deletion of the proposed tolerance of 4 dB(A), unless technical rationales are provided for justification. GRB agreed to resume discussion at its February 2012 session on the basis of a revised proposal tabled by the expert from CLEPA.

CLEPA presentation of the results of its noise-emission tests on seven vehicles comparing original equipment and replacement (aftermarket) silencing systems (mufflers) under the “Additional Sound Emissions Provisions” test procedure.

13. The expert from CLEPA introduced GRB-55-11 concerning the results of a test performed by his organization on additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) of exhaust replacement systems. Moreover, he gave a further presentation (GRB-55-17) showing that as an outcome of the test, two possible alternatives were possible to settle ASEP within UN Regulation No. 59: (i) test should only apply for replacement systems with the same acceptance criteria as for original equipment by using test method A or B or (ii) test should be carried out back to back to original equipment and replacement system. Most of GRB experts stated that it was too premature to indicate the most appropriate alternative. GRB agreed to resume discussion on this subject on the basis of a concrete proposal prepared by the experts from the Netherlands and CLEPA.

Table prepared by OICA highlighting various elements in the consideration of noise in UN Regulation Nos. 9, 28, 41, 51, 59, 63, 92, and 117.

27. The expert from OICA introduced GRB-56-13, providing an overview of the current definitions in UN Regulations under the responsibilities of GRB. However, GRB agreed to resume discussion at its February 2013 session on the basis of informal documents listing all acronyms associated to the UN Regulations concerned. Accordingly, GRB agreed to follow the layout of GRSP-51-03, considered during the May 2012 session of the Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP), designed for this purpose. Finally, it was agreed that the informal documents would list the acronyms of: (i) UN Regulation No. 51 by the expert from OICA, (ii) UN Regulations Nos. 59 and 28 by the expert from CLEPA and (iii) UN Regulation Nos. 9, 41, 63 and 92 by the expert from IMMA for consideration at the next session of GRB.

CLEPA presentation on additional sound emission provisions for replacement silencing systems.

15. The expert from CLEPA introduced GRB-56-17 listing further test results of four vehicles performed by his organization on additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) of replacement silencing systems. GRB noted that as an outcome of the test, two possible alternatives were possible to introduce ASEP provisions into UN Regulation No. 59: (i) the test should be carried out back to back to the original equipment and replacement system (ii) the manufacturer of the replacement system should perform the test with the same acceptance criteria as for the original equipment. GRB, in principle, agreed to follow option (ii) and to resume consideration on this subject at its February 2013 session on the basis of a concrete proposal tabled by the expert from CLEPA.

Table showing the status of the revisions to selected UN Regulations, including the new UN R127 (LED lighting) and R128 (Pedestrian safety). Revisions consolidate and update regulations as a single text.

16. The World Forum noted the revised programme of work and availability of documentation (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2012/1/Rev.2). WP.29 representatives were requested to revise it and to communicate to the secretariat any amendments deemed necessary. The secretariat presented the draft calendar of sessions for 2013 (WP.29-158-01). The Chair of GRE requested a one day delay of the October 2013 session of GRE. The secretariat indicated that the request has been transmitted to the Conference Services for confirmation. (Note by the secretariat: The change was not possible.) The definitive calendar of sessions for 2013 is reproduced in Annex II to this report. The secretariat presented WP.29-158-02 containing the list of informal working groups of WP.29 and its GRs. The secretary invited the Chairs of the GRs and informal working groups to update the document with respect to the expiration date of the mandate for each informal working group.

Text prepared by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) in order to introduce the concept of “revision of approvals” in the regulations under GRB responsibility.

24. The expert from OICA introduced GRB-57-16, proposing the concept of extension and revision of approvals into UN Regulations Nos. 28, 51, 59 and 117. As suggested by the Chair of GRB, it was agreed to list this item on the agenda of the Administrative Committee for the Coordination of Work of WP.29 (WP.29/AC.2) at its March 2013 session, due to its implication for the entire range of UN Regulations annexed to the 1958 Agreement. Finally, GRB agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its September 2013 session and invited its experts to provide comments to the expert from OICA in time to prepare an official proposal for that session.

22. GRB agreed to delete this item to the agenda of its next session [and/or] until a new proposal by the expert from OICA was submitted.

Proposal for additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) to align UN R59 with parallel amendments to the main vehicle noise regulation, UN R51.

12. The expert from CLEPA introduced a proposal (GRB-57-27) for amendments to the UN Regulation aimed at introducing ASEP provisions. GRB agreed to defer discussion on this subject to its September 2013 session and requested the secretariat to distribute GRB-57-27 with an official symbol at that session.

Text prepared by the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) to introduce Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) into the UN R59.

13. The expert from CLEPA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/8 amended by GRB-58-05 and aimed at introducing ASEP provisions. The expert from the Russian Federation suggested that the text of the proposal should be aligned with the corresponding ASEP provisions of the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51. GRB agreed to defer discussion on this subject to its January 2013 session awaiting a new official proposal at that session, aligned to a revised proposal on ASEP provisions of UN Regulation No. 51. It was also agreed to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/8 and GRB-58-05 as references in the agenda of the next meeting.

15. In the absence of the expert from CLEPA, GRB agreed to defer discussion on this subject to its September 2014 session and to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/8 and GRB-58-05 as references in the agenda of the next meeting, awaiting the outcome of discussion of the IWG on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59.

Proposal pursuant to GRB discussions (55th session, para. 12) and document GRB/2013/8 to insert the amendments concerning the ASEP provisions as soon as Regulation No. 51 has been accordingly amended (in line with the draft proposal (Reference 2011/XXXX (COD)) of the European Commission “Proposal of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles and of their exhaust systems”).

13. The expert from CLEPA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/8 amended by GRB-58-05 and aimed at introducing ASEP provisions. The expert from the Russian Federation suggested that the text of the proposal should be aligned with the corresponding ASEP provisions of the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51. GRB agreed to defer discussion on this subject to its January 2013 session awaiting a new official proposal at that session, aligned to a revised proposal on ASEP provisions of UN Regulation No. 51. It was also agreed to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/8 and GRB-58-05 as references in the agenda of the next meeting.

15. In the absence of the expert from CLEPA, GRB agreed to defer discussion on this subject to its September 2014 session and to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/8 and GRB-58-05 as references in the agenda of the next meeting, awaiting the outcome of discussion of the IWG on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59.

Revised mandate as approved by the GRB at its January 2014 session for the informal working group established to finalize revisions to UN Regulation No. 51 and UN Regulation No. 59 with a view towards their alignment with the latest European Union decision concerning noise emissions from vehicles having at least four wheels.

Revised mandate (with changes marked up) as approved by the GRB at its January 2014 session for the informal working group established to finalize revisions to UN Regulation No. 51 and UN Regulation No. 59 with a view towards their alignment with the latest European Union decision concerning noise emissions from vehicles having at least four wheels.

6. The Chair of GRB proposed to transform the expert group on UN Regulation No. 51 into an informal working group (IWG) by preparing and adopting its Terms of Reference (ToR) which should focus on harmonizing the current proposal of 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51 with the provisions of the proposal of the Parliament and the Council of EU¹, as well as including additional aspects concerning the Chinese and Japanese markets. To this end, a working document would be drafted by the IWG for consideration by GRB at its sixtieth session. The IWG should also address additional amendments by preparing an informal document for consideration by GRB at its sixtieth or sixty-first sessions. The experts from France, Germany, Netherlands and EC supported this initiative. It was suggested that ToR should also cover UN Regulation No. 59 (Replacement silencing systems). The experts from France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, EC, CLEPA, ETRTO and OICA announced their intention to participate to the work of the IWG. Finally, based on a draft prepared by the Expert Group, GRB adopted the ToR (GRB-59-10-Rev.1), of the IWG on UN Regulation No. 51 and UN Regulation No. 59, as reproduced in Annex II to this report, subject to WP.29 consent.

¹The “Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles” (2011/0409 (COD)) and related documents are available on the EC Enterprise web site: Reference documents – Legislative proposals: Sound level of motor vehicles. However, the last revision of this document was still in process as of this GRB session and not yet available to the public.

13. GRB noted that this agenda item was de facto covered in the framework of the discussion under agenda item 3(a). Thus, GRB agreed that, for its next session, agenda items 3(a) and 3 (b) should be combined and mention as references only GRB-59-04-Rev.1 and GRB-59-10-Rev.1. Finally, GRB agreed to remove ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/7, GRB-58-08, GRB-58-09, GRB-58-10, GRB-58-14 and GRB-58-17-Rev.1 from the agenda of the next session.

Adopted position (2014/C 82 E/01 on 20 February 2014) by the Council of the European Union (Council Position (EU) No. 3/2014) with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directive 70/157/EEC.

Working draft (pursuant to the third session of the Informal Working Group on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59) of the 02 series of amendments to UN R59 intended to align its provisions with the latest EU sound level requirements.

Consolidated version of UN Regulation No. 59 incorporating the revisions recommended by the Informal Working Group on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59 in order to align the UN R59 with the latest EU decisions.

9. On behalf of the IWG on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59, the expert from OICA presented a revised proposal for the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 59 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2014/6 and GRB-60-01). He pointed out that this proposal was also aligned with EU Regulation No. 540/2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems. GRB adopted this proposal, as amended by Annex IV to the present report, and mandated the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their March 2015 sessions.

Working draft of the proposed amendments to UN R59 as revised by the Working Party on Noise during its September 2014 session.

Further refinements to the 02 series of amendments prepared by the Informal Working Group on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59. This submission proposes to clarify the amended text of document GRB/2014/6 which was approved during the 60th session of the Working Party on Noise and sent to WP.29 for consideration to adopt.

12. GRB considered additional proposals for the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 59 prepared by IWG on Regulations Nos. 51 and 59 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2015/4). GRB adopted these proposals, as amended by Annex IV to this report, and mandated the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2015 sessions as a draft Supplement 1 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 59.

Consolidated version of UN Regulation No. 59 incorporating the revisions recommended by the Informal Working Group on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59 as approved by GRB during its 58th session in order to align the UN R59 with the latest EU decisions.

7. GRB noted that the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 59 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/4) and Supplement 1 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/63) had come into force on 8 October 2015 and on 20 January 2016, respectively.

Further refinements to the 02 series of amendments prepared by the Informal Working Group on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59. This submission proposes to clarify the amended text of document WP.29/2015/4 which was adopted during the March 2015 WP.29 session.

7. GRB noted that the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 59 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/4) and Supplement 1 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/63) had come into force on 8 October 2015 and on 20 January 2016, respectively.