5. The Chair introduced GRPE-61-13 on the need to better organize and coordinate the work of the informal subgroups on Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Procedures (WLTP). GRPE agreed with his proposal to establish a steering group instead of reactivating the WLTP informal group. GRPE considered the urgent need to nominate the drafting coordinator for developing the text of the Global Technical Regulation (GTR) and welcomed the initiative by the European Commission to engage for this purpose a subcontractor in near future.

6. The Chair of the informal subgroup on the Development of the Harmonized driving Cycle (DHC) introduced GRPE-62-14 summarizing the work progress done on the in-use data collection, the weighing factors and the possible modes for the new test cycle. He added that the WLTP test cycle was now in development (with some delay) and that a later delivery of data sets by China would be welcomed. He presented the test plan for validation phase 1 (driveability) which was expected to be concluded in September 2011. He announced the group’s intention to finalize the first version of the test cycle at its forthcoming meeting to be held in Stockholm on 6 and 7 July 2011.

7. The Chair of the informal subgroup on the Development of the Test Procedure (DTP) reported on the good progress made during its recent meetings of DTP and its five subgroups (GRPE-61-15). He presented the main objectives agreed upon for the validation phase 2 starting in October 2011, especially on the operability and practicability of the measurement procedure as well as on its robustness and consistency with respect to variations in parameters and tolerances. He noted that a validation task force would provide laboratory guidance for validation phase 2. He announced the intention of the DTP subgroup to meet again in Bern from 12 to 14 September 2011.

8. The GRPE Chair welcomed the good progress made and suggested that the WLTP subgroups on DHC and DTP should also meet prior to the next session of GRPE. Detailed information on the activities of both groups is available on the GRPE websites at: www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29wgs/wp29grpe/wltp_dhc09.html and www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29wgs/wp29grpe/wltp_dtp06.html.