Progress report on Particular Matter Pollutants (PMP) Informal Working Group activities for GRPE-95. Updates on proposals for a new Supplement to UN R179, a new UN Regulation on brake replacement parts, additions to GTR 24 for light-duty vehicles with limited speed, a new GTR for heavy-duty brakes, and a new UN Regulation for heavy-duty vehicle brakes. Reports on ongoing inter-laboratory studies for calibration procedures and brake emissions testing. Discusses technical developments in brake testing facilities, electromechanical brakes, and conformity of production procedures.

Report on the Task Force Automated Vehicles Regulation Screening activities for the 95th session of GRPE. The task force has completed its mandate to screen regulations for application of automated vehicles. It reviewed amendments to UN R154 for categories X, Y and dual modes, applied existing testing methods and emission legislation frameworks, and identified issues regarding energy consumption of automated vehicles and consistency in accounting for complex system energy consumption. The task force recommends discontinuation as its mandate has ended and it lacks authority to modify existing testing methods and requirements.

The document addresses accuracy calculation procedures in UN R154.04 Appendix 5, paragraph 4.2, which compares type-approval values from the mains with values at the vehicle interface for energy-related parameters of plug-in electric vehicles and other vehicles. It notes that losses of electric vehicle supply equipment and measurement uncertainties of external devices used to measure voltage and current are not considered in the accuracy calculation. OICA is developing a proposal to address both topics for submission to the 96th GRPE session.

Proposal to insert a new definition of hydrogen ICE vehicle, add a note to paragraph 6.1 specifying emissions requirements for 4-phase and 3-phase WLTC analysis, amend paragraphs 8.2, 9.3.1, 9.5, 10.2, 10.6, and 10.7 to clarify trip validity assessment procedures, amend Figure 6 to reflect updated assessment procedures, amend Table A4/1 to add engine fuel flow parameter and clarify mandatory parameters for hydrogen ICE vehicles, insert a new row in Table A5/1 for hydrogen, amend Annex 6 paragraph 3.2.2 to require engine speed and torque recording for hydrogen ICE vehicles, insert hydrogen in Table A7/1, retitle Annex 8, amend Annex 8 paragraph 1 to clarify application of moving averaging window method, and add new Annex 8a establishing an alternative moving averaging window methodology based on engine work for hydrogen ICE vehicles, and amend Annex 11 paragraphs 2, 3.1, and 3.2 and Figure A11/1 to incorporate work ratio calculations for hydrogen fuel tests.

Proposal to amend para. 3.7.1. to define rated engine power by reference to UN R85 or UN R177, modify para. 6.3.2.2. to specify applicability to Level 1A only (original and 02 series) or 4-phase WLTP test only (01 and 03 series), amend para. 6.3.2.3. to apply only to Level 1B (original and 02 series) or 3-phase WLTP test (01 and 03 series), modify Annex B1 para. 2.3.2. to except PEVs from Class 3 classification for Level 1B only (original and 02 series) or 3-phase WLTP test only (01 and 03 series), amend Annex B4 para. 6.2.1. and 6.2.4. regarding facility approval duration and validation, and modify Annex B8 para. 1.4., 3.4.1., and 4.1.2. to specify applicability to Level 1B or 3-phase WLTP test and adjust vehicle classification and testing requirements accordingly.

Proposal to:

• Insert a new para. 4 and 5 to the introduction of the 02 series and para. 5 and 6 to the introduction of the 03 series clarifying that the 03 series includes harmonised procedures and that amendments account for vehicles of categories X and Y equipped with Automated Driving Systems,
• Amend para. 2.1. to add ADS to general abbreviations,
• Amend para. 3.2.5., 3.2.31., 3.2.37., 3.5.8., 3.5.9., and 3.5.12. to include vehicle user terminology,
• Insert new para. 3.5.13. to 3.5.16. defining ADS road load determination mode, ADS testing mode, ADS user, and vehicle user,
• Amend para. 3.10.1., 3.10.4., and 3.10.20. concerning On-Board Diagnostic systems and malfunction indication to reference vehicle users and ADS,
• Insert footnote definitions referencing ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/153,
• Amend multiple paragraphs throughout Annexes A1, B4, B6, B8, C3, C4, and C5 to accommodate ADS operation,
• Insert new para. 4.2.1.8.6. to Annex B4 specifying ADS road load determination mode requirements for vehicles of categories X and Y,
• Insert new para. 2.4.2.7. to Annex B6 specifying ADS testing mode functional requirements,
• Amend various provisions concerning driver-selectable modes, reagent warning and inducement systems, and OBD monitoring to apply to vehicles equipped with ADS.

Proposal to establish uniform provisions for approval of non-original replacement and identical brake pads, drum brake linings, brake discs, and brake drums for vehicles of category M₁, N₁, and N₂ between 3.5 and 5 tonnes maximum mass. The regulation applies brake emission testing procedures and particle emission limits by vehicle category and powertrain technology, with PM10 limits ranging from 3 mg/km for PEV vehicles of categories M₁ and N₁ to 11 mg/km for N₁ Class III and N₂ vehicles. Brake parts must be assigned to families based on characteristics including calliper type, axle location, friction material formulation, disc or drum material, brake disc surface form, pad surface area, and drum diameter. Approval requires testing of a family parent brake assembly and includes conformity of production requirements with annual sampling and statistical verification procedures.

Explanatory document on proposed amendments to UN R168 to enable real driving emissions testing of hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles. The work-based approach replaces the CO-based moving averaging window methodology currently inapplicable to hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Engine speed and torque data replace carbon monoxide to define window size and calculate the RDE/WLTP work ratio. Testing of a light commercial vehicle demonstrates the methodology’s practical applicability under regular and severe driving conditions, with results processed through independent post-processing tools.

Status report on the Informal Working Group on Environmental and Propulsion Performance Requirements for L-Category Vehicles. The group has held four meetings since the previous session. A Task Force has been established to transpose the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 40 from UN-GTR No. 2, co-chaired by Japan and Malaysia. The first Task Force meeting was convened on 9 October with participation from ASEAN countries, Ghana, and others. Future meetings are scheduled through June 2027. No concrete proposals have been advanced on other agenda items.

The Task Force on Swappable Battery shall review WP.29 regulations and identify technical requirements necessary for swappable-battery vehicles intended for mass production, compile them into a list, define vehicle types for swappable-battery-compatible vehicles, identify applicable regulations, clarify the process for handling such vehicles and batteries as a special type of Vehicle Type Approval under WP.29, discuss treating batteries as independent type approval units for both swappable and in-vehicle batteries, coordinate activities with EVS Phase 3 scheduled to start in November 2026, cooperate with EVE IWG activities, and develop a guidance document to be proposed to WP.29 to initiate regulatory work. Terms of Reference will be finalized and proposed to GRPE in April 2027, and status of other items will be reported in October 2027.

Document presents preparation for a Task Force on swappable batteries under GRPE. It outlines considerations of sustainability from environmental and customer acceptability perspectives, identifies issues requiring regulatory framework including vehicle and battery approval processes, safety requirements for swapping operations, performance and durability standards, cyber security measures, and compatibility checking. A two-step approach is proposed: identifying work items and drafting Terms of Reference. The Task Force will review WP.29 regulations, identify technical requirements for swappable-battery vehicles, define vehicle types for type approval, and collaborate with other WP.29 bodies. Japan and China are initial Co-Chairs; other Contracting Parties are welcomed to join. Timeline spans October 2026 through May 2027 with discussions beginning at GRPE-95.

Proposal to amend Annex 5, para. 5. to define Part C: Verification of reported assessment of virtual distance, amend para. 5.1. to specify the verification procedure including measurement of total discharge energy and approval by the responsible authority, insert new sub-paras. 5.1.1. through 5.1.5. to establish environmental temperature requirements, initial State of Charge setting, discharging test specifications, test termination conditions, and verification test procedures with Table 4 steps, and amend para. 5.2. to establish pass/fail criteria based on comparison of reported delta virtual distance to measured virtual distance with a 5 per cent threshold and statistical decision procedures using Table 5.

Proposal to replace para. 9.3.2.1., replace paras. 9.3.2.8.1. and 9.3.2.9.1., amend paras. 9.3.9.2.2. and 9.3.9.6., and insert new Appendices 10 and 11. The replacements clarify measurement principles, specify that analyser assessment may be conducted by type-approval authorities, designated technical services, or metrological institutes preferably via witnessed testing at the instrument manufacturer premises, and provide protocols and certificate models for analyser assessment. Amendments to para. 9.3.9.2.2. permit alternative humidification techniques and clarify that test gas shall be humidified to a water concentration approximately equal to the maximum water concentration expected during emission testing for all fuels. Amendment to para. 9.3.9.6. specifies that spectral resolution shall have a nominal value ≤0.5 cm⁻¹ to minimise cross interference.

Proposal to amend Annex 2 – Appendix 1 to add para. 1.4.1. specifying user-selectable mode(s) resulting in the lowest recuperation and relevant pre-test procedures for vehicles with a vehicle specific c-factor according to Annex 5, and to delete items not brake emission related including brake circuit configuration, secondary braking system declaration, brake valve specifications, master cylinder type and size, and booster type and size.

Table presenting subjects under consideration by GRPE, including improvement of exhaust emissions requirements for real-world performance, introduction of Euro 7 emission provisions for light and heavy-duty vehicles, gradual updating of UN R40 to state-of-the-art emission limits, decarbonization implementation, life cycle assessment, new propulsion energy development, EV/HFCV retrofit systems, particulate emissions reduction, brake emissions, tyre wear emissions, and screening of GRPE Regulations for autonomous vehicles readiness. Timelines range from October 2025 to March 2028.