2. GRB considered and adopted the agenda (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2019/1, as amended by GRB-69-01-Rev.1), subject to the addition of a new item 7 (d) “UN Global Technical Regulation No. 16 (Tyres)”. GRB noted the running order proposed by the Chair (GRB-69-02-Rev.1). The list of informal documents is contained in Annex I of the session report. The list of GRB informal groups is reproduced in Annex VI.

2. GRB considered and adopted the agenda (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2019/1, as amended by GRB-69-01-Rev.1), subject to the addition of a new item 7 (d) “UN Global Technical Regulation No. 16 (Tyres)”. GRB noted the running order proposed by the Chair (GRB-69-02-Rev.1). The list of informal documents is contained in Annex I of the session report. The list of GRB informal groups is reproduced in Annex VI.

32. The Chair reported on the outcome of the informal meeting in Brussels on 31 October 2018 and introduced a revised document on priorities of the future work (GRB-69-03) with topics related to sound emission and tyre requirements. The document covered essentially the limit values for phase 3, ASEP, uncertainties, track alignment and measurement discrepancies, provisions for the so-called three peak mountain snow flake (3PMSF) winter tyres, wet grip test method for C1 tyres, wet grip for worn tyres, etc. The experts from China, Germany, Netherlands, EC, ETRTO and OICA commented on the proposal. The Chair indicated his intention to convene a meeting to develop a roadmap for level 1 priorities, as marked in GRB-69-03.

34. The expert from France proposed an amendment to UN Regulation No. 28 which complemented paragraph 2 “Definition” with an “electronic” operation of the audible warning device (GRB-69-04). GRB invited the expert to submit the proposal as an official document for the next session.

11. The expert of OICA raised the issue of uncertainties of sound emission measurements according to UN Regulation No. 51 and some other UN Regulations (GRB-69-15). He pointed out that the uncertainties included variations within the same test laboratory (run-to-run), variations in the ambient conditions and equipment properties (day-to-day) and variations between test laboratories and road surface conditions (site-to-site). The expert from ISO reported on field experience for measuring variations according to ISO 16254 (GRB-69-26). To reduce variations and improve repeatability and reproducibility of the results, he suggested that a single microphone should be replaced with an array of microphones.

12. The experts from Germany and France proposed to address non-negligible differences in sound performance when conformity of production (CoP) tests were not carried out in the same conditions as the type approval tests (GRB-69-05). The proposal introduced conditions and procedures to be followed for test tracks comparison and for corrections to be applied on L_urban. GRB welcomed this initiative as an important starting point for further work and invited GRB experts to support it with real data.

13. GRB stressed the importance of addressing measurement uncertainties and pointed out the need to establish a new task force to this end. While OICA volunteered to provide secretariat support to the task force, GRB was not in a position to identify a governmental expert who would take the lead, due to the limited resources of competent authorities. Nevertheless, GRB was of the view that the task force should start activities as soon as possible, even without a formal leader. GRB requested the ECE secretariat to establish a dedicated website for the task force and suggested that it should meet in conjunction with the meetings of other IWGs, in order to reduce the travel expenses of participants. GRB also invited its Chair to report to the Committee for Coordination of Work (WP.29/AC.2) on the issue.

15. The expert from OICA presented a revised proposal with the aim to clarify the scope and some provisions of UN Regulation No. 138 (GRB-69-06). GRB adopted the proposal, as laid down in Annex II and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2019 sessions as a draft Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 138.

18. The expert from OICA proposed to clarify the application of the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 138 (GRB-67-09). The experts from China, France, Germany, OICA and WBU commented on the proposal. The secretariat pointed out that it had already rectified the text of paragraph 6.2.6. which had been incorrectly reproduced in a revised consolidated version published on the WP.29 website (E/ECE/324/Rev.2/Add.137/Rev.1 − E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.2/Add.137/Rev.1). GRB invited OICA to take into account the comments received and to prepare an official document for consideration at the next session. GRB also requested that the earlier OICA proposals for transitional provisions (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2017/7) be included into this new document.

31. The secretariat reported on the highlights of the November 2018 session of WP.29 (GRB-69-07). GRB noted that WP.29 had renamed GRB to GRBP (Groupe Rapporteur Bruit et Pneumatiques). The Chair stressed that GRBP is not a new body and requested the secretariat to ensure the continuity of the GRB documentation and website.

21. The expert of France proposed a wet adhesion requirement for C1 tyres in a worn state (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2019/6 and GRB-69-08). The proposal received comments from ETRTO (GRB-69-10). GRB also noted a recent study on used tyres (GRB-69-09). GRB was of the view that this topic should be pursued in the framework of a new IWG and adopted its Terms of Reference (GRB-69-23), as reproduced in Annex V to the session report. Various experts expressed their willingness to contribute to the activities of the newly established IWG. The experts from France and the European Commission volunteered to act as Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, while ETRTO agreed to provide secretariat support.

21. The expert of France proposed a wet adhesion requirement for C1 tyres in a worn state (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2019/6 and GRB-69-08). The proposal received comments from ETRTO (GRB-69-10). GRB also noted a recent study on used tyres (GRB-69-09). GRB was of the view that this topic should be pursued in the framework of a new IWG and adopted its Terms of Reference (GRB-69-23), as reproduced in Annex V to the session report. Various experts expressed their willingness to contribute to the activities of the newly established IWG. The experts from France and the European Commission volunteered to act as Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, while ETRTO agreed to provide secretariat support.

21. The expert of France proposed a wet adhesion requirement for C1 tyres in a worn state (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2019/6 and GRB-69-08). The proposal received comments from ETRTO (GRB-69-10). GRB also noted a recent study on used tyres (GRB-69-09). GRB was of the view that this topic should be pursued in the framework of a new IWG and adopted its Terms of Reference (GRB-69-23), as reproduced in Annex V to the session report. Various experts expressed their willingness to contribute to the activities of the newly established IWG. The experts from France and the European Commission volunteered to act as Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, while ETRTO agreed to provide secretariat support.

16. The experts from ETRTO proposed to clarify and improve the text of UN Regulation No. 30 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2019/5 and GRB-69-11-Rev.1). GRB adopted the proposal, as amended by Annex III of the session report, and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2019 sessions as a draft Supplement 21 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 30. GRB also requested the secretariat, in cooperation with ETRTO, to use this opportunity to consolidate the text of the UN Regulation.

17. GRB resumed consideration of the ETRTO proposals for amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 30 and 64 which introduce provisions on extended mobility tyres (EMT) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2018/6, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2018/7 and GRB-68-14). In reply to the questions raised at the previous session, the expert of ETRTO presented GRB-69-12. GRB adopted the proposals and requested the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2019 sessions as a draft Supplement 21 to the 02 series of amendments UN Regulation No. 30 and a draft Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 64.

28. The expert from ETRTO proposed amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 30 and 64 which introduce provisions related to extended mobility tyres (EMT) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2018/6, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2018/7 and GRB-68-14). He pointed out that EMT were already available on the market and needed to be regulated. The experts from Germany, Italy and Japan supported the proposals. The experts from France, Netherlands and Switzerland posed questions. The expert from UK requested data on the availability of EMT on the market. GRB was of the view that Contracting Parties needed more time to study the proposals and decided to defer this item to the next session. Meanwhile, GRB experts were invited to study the proposals and send their remarks to ETRTO.

10. GRB took note of progress of IWG ASEP (GRB-69-13).

4. The expert from IMMA proposed to correct an inconsistency in the exemption conditions applicable to the additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) for vehicles with variable gear ratios or automatic transmission with non-lockable gear ratios (GRB-69-14 and GRB-69-16). The expert from Germany made a study reservation. GRB invited IMMA to convert the proposal into an official document for consideration at the next session.

3. The expert from the European Commission proposed to introduce additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) for L4 and L5 category vehicles with the power-to-mass ratio (PMR) of more than 50 W/kg (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2018/7 and GRB-68-22). GRB adopted the proposals, as amended (Annex II), and requested the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and to the Administrative Committee (AC.1) for consideration and vote at their March 2019 sessions as draft 08 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 9.

3. The expert from IMMA presented draft amendments that introduce a mandatory test for Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) and correct an inconsistency in the ASEP exemption conditions for vehicles with variable gear ratios or automatic transmission with non-lockable gear ratios (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2019/22 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2019/23). GRBP adopted both proposals and requested the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and to the Administrative Committee (AC.1) for consideration and vote at their March 2020 sessions as a draft Supplement 1 to the 08 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 9.

11. The expert of OICA raised the issue of uncertainties of sound emission measurements according to UN Regulation No. 51 and some other UN Regulations (GRB-69-15). He pointed out that the uncertainties included variations within the same test laboratory (run-to-run), variations in the ambient conditions and equipment properties (day-to-day) and variations between test laboratories and road surface conditions (site-to-site). The expert from ISO reported on field experience for measuring variations according to ISO 16254 (GRB-69-26). To reduce variations and improve repeatability and reproducibility of the results, he suggested that a single microphone should be replaced with an array of microphones.

12. The experts from Germany and France proposed to address non-negligible differences in sound performance when conformity of production (CoP) tests were not carried out in the same conditions as the type approval tests (GRB-69-05). The proposal introduced conditions and procedures to be followed for test tracks comparison and for corrections to be applied on L_urban. GRB welcomed this initiative as an important starting point for further work and invited GRB experts to support it with real data.

13. GRB stressed the importance of addressing measurement uncertainties and pointed out the need to establish a new task force to this end. While OICA volunteered to provide secretariat support to the task force, GRB was not in a position to identify a governmental expert who would take the lead, due to the limited resources of competent authorities. Nevertheless, GRB was of the view that the task force should start activities as soon as possible, even without a formal leader. GRB requested the ECE secretariat to establish a dedicated website for the task force and suggested that it should meet in conjunction with the meetings of other IWGs, in order to reduce the travel expenses of participants. GRB also invited its Chair to report to the Committee for Coordination of Work (WP.29/AC.2) on the issue.

4. The expert from IMMA proposed to correct an inconsistency in the exemption conditions applicable to the additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) for vehicles with variable gear ratios or automatic transmission with non-lockable gear ratios (GRB-69-14 and GRB-69-16). The expert from Germany made a study reservation. GRB invited IMMA to convert the proposal into an official document for consideration at the next session.

25. GRB received a status report from IWG on Tyre GTR (GRB-69-17) and took note of a list of the proposed draft amendments (GRB-69-21 and GRB-69-22). GRB noted that a formal proposal might be submitted to the next session.

9. The expert from China reported on a preliminary study of the test methods for the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51 (GRB-69-18). GRB noted this information and decided to revert to the topic once more results would be available.

22. On behalf of the group of interested experts on snow tyre provisions, the expert from Germany reported on the group’s progress (GRB-69-19) and mentioned that they would submit an official document for consideration at the next session of GRB.

26. On behalf of the Task Force on Reverse Warning (TF-RW), the expert from Japan reported on the progress of TF-RW (GRB-69-20). GRB pointed out the need to liaise with the Working Party on General Safety (GRSG) on the issue and was of the view that the TF-RW report should be also be brought to the attention of GRSG. The expert form Switzerland volunteered to act as GRB ambassador to GRSG on this topic.

25. GRB received a status report from IWG on Tyre GTR (GRB-69-17) and took note of a list of the proposed draft amendments (GRB-69-21 and GRB-69-22). GRB noted that a formal proposal might be submitted to the next session.

25. GRB received a status report from IWG on Tyre GTR (GRB-69-17) and took note of a list of the proposed draft amendments (GRB-69-21 and GRB-69-22). GRB noted that a formal proposal might be submitted to the next session.

21. The expert of France proposed a wet adhesion requirement for C1 tyres in a worn state (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2019/6 and GRB-69-08). The proposal received comments from ETRTO (GRB-69-10). GRB also noted a recent study on used tyres (GRB-69-09). GRB was of the view that this topic should be pursued in the framework of a new IWG and adopted its Terms of Reference (GRB-69-23), as reproduced in Annex V to the session report. Various experts expressed their willingness to contribute to the activities of the newly established IWG. The experts from France and the European Commission volunteered to act as Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, while ETRTO agreed to provide secretariat support.

18. The expert of France proposed to clarify the identification, marking and test provisions applicable to tyres designed for speeds above 240 km/h (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2019/7 and GRB-69-24-Rev.1). GRB adopted the proposal, as amended by Annex IV to the session report, and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2019 sessions as a draft Supplement 18 to the original series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 75.

33. The expert of OICA briefed GRB about a forthcoming study with the aim to find out if lowering the rolling sound limits would affect other tyre parameters essential for vehicle safety and CO2 reduction (GRB-69-25-Rev.1). GRB took note of this information and invited OICA to report the outcome of the study at the next session.

11. The expert of OICA raised the issue of uncertainties of sound emission measurements according to UN Regulation No. 51 and some other UN Regulations (GRB-69-15). He pointed out that the uncertainties included variations within the same test laboratory (run-to-run), variations in the ambient conditions and equipment properties (day-to-day) and variations between test laboratories and road surface conditions (site-to-site). The expert from ISO reported on field experience for measuring variations according to ISO 16254 (GRB-69-26). To reduce variations and improve repeatability and reproducibility of the results, he suggested that a single microphone should be replaced with an array of microphones.

12. The experts from Germany and France proposed to address non-negligible differences in sound performance when conformity of production (CoP) tests were not carried out in the same conditions as the type approval tests (GRB-69-05). The proposal introduced conditions and procedures to be followed for test tracks comparison and for corrections to be applied on L_urban. GRB welcomed this initiative as an important starting point for further work and invited GRB experts to support it with real data.

13. GRB stressed the importance of addressing measurement uncertainties and pointed out the need to establish a new task force to this end. While OICA volunteered to provide secretariat support to the task force, GRB was not in a position to identify a governmental expert who would take the lead, due to the limited resources of competent authorities. Nevertheless, GRB was of the view that the task force should start activities as soon as possible, even without a formal leader. GRB requested the ECE secretariat to establish a dedicated website for the task force and suggested that it should meet in conjunction with the meetings of other IWGs, in order to reduce the travel expenses of participants. GRB also invited its Chair to report to the Committee for Coordination of Work (WP.29/AC.2) on the issue.

26. On behalf of the Task Force on Reverse Warning (TF-RW), the expert from Japan reported on the progress of TF-RW (GRB-69-20). GRB pointed out the need to liaise with the Working Party on General Safety (GRSG) on the issue and was of the view that the TF-RW report should be also be brought to the attention of GRSG. The expert form Switzerland volunteered to act as GRB ambassador to GRSG on this topic.