IWG RD-ASEP is developing a mandatory procedure for UN R51 after the monitoring phase, with R41 work concluded. The Data Analysis Task Force reported in October 2025 on vehicle database sufficiency, boundary conditions, and CVT vehicle modeling. An Editing Task Force created a consolidated R51.04 draft reviewed in December 2025. IWG RD-ASEP recommends that no monitoring requirements be approved without corresponding mechanisms to collect, analyze, and report results. Submission targets shifted to September 2026 for informal document and February 2027 for working document due to database finalization and financial support needs.

The RD-ASEP informal group met in February 2026 in Geneva. The Analysis Task Force requested additional data on hybrids, CVT transmissions, and battery electric vehicles. The Editing Task Force addressed copyright issues with UN and ISO Secretariats, determining that current document practices continue unchanged. The group clarified that RD-ASEP development focuses on measurement procedures for real driving conditions and noise emission limits under full and partial load, not establishing a new regulatory phase.

The RD-ASEP informal group met in Brussels. Officers and representatives from eleven contracting parties and four NGOs were present. The group discussed copyright approval requirements for UN website materials. A February 2026 meeting with UNECE and ISO secretariats will address incorporating third-party standards into UN regulations. The Data Analysis Task Force reported on ESE in ICE vehicles and data limitations. Discussions covered vehicle control ranges, CVT handling, and vehicle category applicability. An issues list was established for draft regulatory text. The next meeting is scheduled for April 14-16, 2026 in Berlin.

The Task Force Data Analysis completed data revision for RD-ASEP specifications, identifying errors and inconsistencies. The document lists considerations for database improvements, including updating limits to UN R51.03 phase 3, clarifying vehicle reference speed definitions, correcting reported loads exceeding 100%, selecting correct parameter tables, and addressing gear shifting detection. Additional recommendations involve determining acceptable factor x ranges, resolving minimum dynamic calculation inconsistencies, increasing va_MAX validity thresholds, and reconsidering AVAS term applicability for hybrid vehicles.

The RD-ASEP Informal Working Group met April 14-16, 2026 in Berlin. The Analysis Task Force concluded data cleaning and will use data to answer questions and update the parameter table. The original aim of RD-ASEP was to address vehicles with louder partial throttle than full throttle results. The Editing Task Force reviewed draft R51.04 and was directed to provide an updated draft for the June meeting, replacing the old Annex 7 with the current Annex 9. The Chair requested the Editing Task Force prepare a summary report to GRBP for September evaluating the monitoring database, Expectation Model, and draft R51.04.

The IWG RD-ASEP informal group is developing a mandatory procedure for UN R51 after the monitoring phase. The Analysis Task Force determined vehicle databases and expectation model are suitable for RD-ASEP use. The Editing Task Force created a consolidated R51.04 draft incorporating R51.03 Supplements up to Supplement 11, with revised manipulation and defeat device provisions and mandatory random testing for approval. R51.04 RD-ASEP expands vehicle speed range to 0-100 km/hr, adds vehicle performance criteria, requires testing for approval, and permits random test points and any acceleration position, compared to R51.03 ASEP.

In vehicles with automatic transmissions, upshifts during testing cause SEM expected values to be exceeded. The proposal addresses three cases: vehicles with non-locked gear ratios, vehicles with locked gear ratios, and vehicles with only one gear ratio. For Case 1, such data does not meet conditions in R51-03 Annex 9 “4.5.2. Non-locked transmissions” and require no SEM correction. For Case 2, the proposal adds text to Annex 9 (7), Appendix 1, paragraphs 3.4. and 3.5., permitting substitution of maximum engine speed nMAX(AA-BB)TEST for nBBTEST when the maximum engine speed between AA’ and BB’ exceeds the engine speed at BB’.

Current RD-ASEP derives the regulatory level based on the certified value without accounting for margin against regulatory values of the certified value. RD-ASEP additionally regulates partial acceleration, unlike current ASEP which only stipulates full-throttle acceleration. It is proposed that RD-ASEP should take into account a margin against the regulatory values of the certification values, similar to current ASEP, to prevent quiet vehicles such as BEVs from being unfairly deemed NG.

The agenda includes discussion of Terms of Reference from GRBP-78-13, procedural update from GRB-68-03, Analysis Task Force Report, Editing Task Force Report, R51.04 Issues List Review, draft R51.04 text review, Inside and Outside Boundary Condition discussions, and confirmation of next meeting date and place as August 31–September 1 in Geneva, Switzerland.

This document provides guidance for interpreting paragraph 6.2.3 of UN R51.03 concerning Additional Sound Emission Provisions for vehicles of category M₁ and N₁. Part A clarifies that typical on-road driving means driving at speeds between 15–100 km/h with accelerations not exceeding 2 m/s² and vehicle performance not exceeding 35 m/s, across any gear except reverse at engine speeds of at least 1.5 times idle speed and not exceeding the maximum specified in Annex 7. Significant deviation is defined as a sound level exceeding the reference value by at least 6 dB(A). Type approval test results derive from Annex 3 or Annex 7, with reference values determined using regression curves for Slope-Assessment or calculation principles for Lurban-Assessment. Part B addresses electric and hybrid vehicles when electrically propelled, extending ASEP scope under Supplement 11, applying comparable principles with modifications regarding active sound enhancement systems and operating speed ranges between 20–100 km/h for electric vehicles.

IWG RD-ASEP created a mandatory test assessing compliance with paragraph 6.2.3 of Regulation 51.03 (later 51.04) to assure vehicle noise emission at speed, load, or acceleration conditions other than Annex 3 condition is linked to vehicle physics, with no noise emission test detection or defeat device schemes. R51.04 draft incorporates R51.03 Supplements up to Supplement 11, revises manipulation and defeat device provisions, establishes mandatory random RD-ASEP testing for approval with expanded vehicle speed range of 1-100 km/h and vehicle performance criteria, and includes expectation model technical basis in Annex 7.