1. The Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP) held its seventy-sixth session from 5 to 7 September 2022 in Geneva.1 The meeting was chaired by Mr. S. Ficheux (France). Experts from the following countries participated in the work following Rule 1(a) of the Rules of Procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) (TRANS/WP.29/690/Rev.2): Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America. Experts from the European Union participated. Experts from the following non-governmental organizations also participated: Bureau International Permanent des Associations de Vendeurs et Rechapeurs de pneumatiques (BIPAVER), International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA), European Garage Equipment Association (EGEA), European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO), Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA), International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association (ITMA), International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA).

2. GRBP considered and adopted the agenda (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/10, as amended by GRBP-76-01). GRBP noted the running order proposed by the Chair (GRBP-76-20 and GRBP-76-28-Rev.1). The informal documents are listed in annex I of the session report. The GRBP informal groups are listed in annex III.

GRBP-76-01 | GRBP-76: Updated provision agenda for the September 2022 session

GRBP-76-20 | Running order of the 76th hybrid session

GRBP-76-28/Rev.1 | Detailed running order and tentative timetable

GRBP/2022/10 | GRBP: Annotated provisional agenda for the 76th (September 2022) session

3. GRBP noted the activities of the Informal Working Group on Measurement Uncertainties (IWG MU) (GRBP-76-08) and considered their proposal that aimed to reduce variability (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/16 and GRBP-76-09). GRBP adopted the proposal, as amended by GRBP-76-09, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and the Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1) as draft Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51.

GRBP-76-08 | Sound Measurement Uncertainties informal group status report to GRBP

GRBP-76-09 | UN R51: Proposal to amend document GRBP/2022/16 Proposal from the informal group on sound Measurement Uncertainties to amend their previous formal proposal.

GRBP/2022/16 | UN R51: Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal from the Measurement Uncertainties informal group to introduce measures to reduce variability across assessments.

4. The expert of IWG MU presented a revised document of reference on measurement uncertainties (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/9/Rev.1). GRBP adopted the revised document, as amended by GRBP-76-11, and requested the secretariat to publish it on the GRBP website for reference documents.

5. GRBP took note that, at the June 2022 session of WP.29, IWG MU had delivered a presentation on the general approach of how to handle measurement uncertainties in UN Regulations.

GRBP-76-11 | Proposal to amend the Reference Document on Sound Measurement Uncertainties Proposal for the Measurement Uncertainties informal group to amend their previous formal submission (GRBP/2022/9/Rev.1).

GRBP/2022/9/Rev.1 | A general approach how to handle sound measurement uncertainty Proposal for a reference document.

6. The expert from ISO proposed to bring the latest ISO 10844:2021 standard test surface into UN Regulation No. 51 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/13). GRBP adopted this proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51.

GRBP/2022/13 | UN R51: Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal to bring the latest ISO 10844 standard test surface into the Regulation.

7. The expert from OICA raised a number of practical questions on collecting and analysing test data for the Real Driving Additional Sound Emission Provisions (RD ASEP) (GRBP-76-10). GRBP invited contracting parties applying UN Regulation No. 51 to prepare proposals on this issue and agreed to revert to it at the next session.

GRBP-76-10 | Questions on documents GRBP/2022/4 and GRBP-75-37 (Monitoring phase of RD-ASEP from 1 July 2023)

8. The expert of the Task Force on Vehicle Sound (TF VS) reported on their activities (GRBP-76-15-Rev.1).

GRBP-76-15/Rev.1 | UN R51: TF Vehicles' Sound Status Report Previous name of this TF was TF-SL for Sound Limits

9. The expert from OICA presented a comparison between two recent studies on the limits of sound levels of M- and N-category vehicles (GRBP-76-14). GRBP invited TF VS to discuss this topic at its forthcoming meeting in September 2022.

GRBP-76-14 | UN R51: Comparison of EMISIA and ATEEL study on sound limit values

10. The expert from China reported on their research on measurement methods for passenger vehicles and trucks in multiple driving mode conditions and to characterize the current situation and possible developments (GRBP-76-29). GRBP invited TF VS to consider this study as well.

GRBP-76-29 | UN R51: Research on Measurement Methods for LDV & HDV in Multiple Driving Mode Conditions CATC Data Study and Measurement Methods Research

11. The expert from ISO proposed to bring the latest ISO 10844:2021 standard test surface into UN Regulation No. 138 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/15). GRBP adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 3 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 138.

GRBP/2022/15 | UN R138: Proposal for Supplement 3 to the 01 series of amendments Proposal to bring the latest ISO 10844 standard test surface into the Regulation.

12. GRBP was informed about the activities of the newly created Task Force on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (TF QRTV) (GRBP-76-16).

GRBP-76-16 | UN R138: TF Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) Status Report

13. Based on a study (GRBP-76-04), the expert from ETRTO proposed a new definition for “radial tyre” (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/21). The proposal also addressed other issues, such as the definition of snow tyres, requirements for special use tyres of class C1, addition of an optional prefix for extra load tyres, a clarification on the description of the load/speed test for run flat/extended mobility tyres and editorial corrections.

14. GRBP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/21 and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 25 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 30.

GRBP-76-04 | UN R30: Study on the proposal for a new radial tyre definition

GRBP/2022/21 | UN R30: Proposal for a Supplement to the 02 series of amendments Proposal to address the definition of the radial structure (as a continuation to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2021/9), the definition of snow tyres, the requirements for special use tyres of class C1, the addition of an optional prefix for extra load tyres, a clarification of the description of the load/speed test for run flat tyres and extended mobility tyres (EMT) and editorial corrections.

15. On behalf of a group of interested experts, the expert from ETRTO reported on their activities concerning type approval of three Peak Mountain SnowFlake (3PMSF) materials according to UN Regulation No. 109 (GRBP-76-03). GRBP noted that the group planned to submit an official document to the seventy-eighth session of GRBP.

16. The experts from the European Commission introduced a new 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/12). The expert from ETRTO proposed further modifications (GRBP-76-23 and GRBP-76-32). GRBP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/12, as amended by GRBP-76-23 and GRBP-76-32, subject to the removal of the square brackets, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as the draft new 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

GRBP-76-23 | UN R117: Proposal for amendments to the proposal for 04 series of amendments Proposal introduces provisions to allow the type approval of special use tyres that fulfil the requirements for snow performance as laid out in Annex 7. The respective marking related to the “Alpine” symbol has been considered for those tyres complying with these requirements.

GRBP-76-32 | UN R117: Proposal to amend the proposal for the 04 series of amendments Editorial corrections and amends the transitional provisions

GRBP/2022/12 | UN R117: Proposal for the 04 series of amendments Proposal to revise the limits for rolling resistance and wet grip, address tyres for vintage vehicles, and revise the definition for special-use C1 tyres.

17. GRBP noted that the experts from Japan decided to withdraw GRBP-76-17 and GRBP-76-18 at this stage.

GRBP-76-17 | UN R117: Proposal for amendments to the 04 series of amendments Proposal introduces a new definition for taxi tyres and establishes different threshold from other tyres.

GRBP-76-18 | UN R117: Presentation on the introduction of new class C1 Taxi tyre

18. The expert from ISO proposed that the latest ISO 10844:2021 standard test surface be brought into UN Regulation No. 117 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/14). The expert from ETRTO tabled additional modifications (GRBP-76-35). GRBP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/14, as amended by GRBP-76-35, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 15 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

GRBP-76-35 | UN R117: Proposal to amend the proposal for Supplement 14 to the 02 series of amendments Updates the reference to latest version of ISO 10844:2021

GRBP/2022/14 | UN R117: Proposal for Supplement 14 to the 02 series of amendments Proposal to bring the latest ISO 10844 standard test surface into the Regulation.

19. GRBP noted the activities of the Informal Working Group on Wet Grip Performance of Tyres in Worn State (IWG WGWT) (GRBP-76-06).

GRBP-76-06 | Worn Tyres working group status report to GRBP

20. The expert of IWG WGWT presented their proposals for the moulded standard reference test tyre and wet grip of C2, C3, and some clusters of C1 tyres in a worn state (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/22, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/23, GRBP-76-02 and GRBP-76-05). The expert from ETRTO introduced additional amendments (GRBP-76-24-Rev.1, GRBP-76-33-Rev.1 and GRBP-76-34).

21. GRBP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/22, as amended by GRBP-76-05 and GRBP-76-34, subject to the removal of the square brackets, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

22. GRBP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/23, as amended by GRBP-76-02, GRBP-76-33-Rev.1, and GRBP-76-24-Rev.1, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of the draft new 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

GRBP-76-02 | UN R117: Proposal to amend document GRBP/2022/23 Proposal from the Worn Tyres working group to amend their earlier formal submission.

GRBP-76-05 | UN R117: Proposal to amend document GRBP/2022/22 Proposal from the Worn Tyres working group to amend its previous formal proposal.

GRBP-76-24/Rev.1 | UN R117: Proposal for amendment to proposal for the 04 series of amendments Proposal introduces provisions to allow the type approval of special use tyres that fulfil the requirements for snow performance as laid out in Annex 7. The respective marking related to the “Alpine” symbol has been considered for those tyres complying with these requirements

GRBP-76-33/Rev 1 | UN R117: Proposal to amend proposal for 04 series of amendments Proposes the amendment to the transitional provisions aligning with other proposals

GRBP-76-34 | UN R117: Proposal for amendment to proposal for 03 series of amendments Proposal to update the reference to the latest ISO 10844 standard

GRBP/2022/22 | UN R117: Proposal for a Supplement to the 03 series of amendments Proposal from the Worn Tyres working group to improve precision of the test procedures for measuring the wet adhesion of tyres in a worn state by using a moulded SRTT16 reference tyre (instead of a buffed tyre), to introduce new transitional provisions related to this change, to extend corrections already made to thee 02 series to the 03 series and make additional editorial corrections, and to define the range for tyre inflation vis-à-vis rim size to reduce uncertainties in measuring tread depth.

GRBP/2022/23 | UN R117: Proposal for a 04 series of amendments Proposal from the Worn Tyres working group to set the wet grip index threshold at 0.80 for class C1 tyres with a nominal aspect ratio equal to or less than 40, a section width equal to or higher than 235 mm and suitable for speeds equal to or greater than 300 km/h and for class C1 all terrain and special use tyres (see GRBP-75-27, slide 6). The proposal also introduces the k_worn factor in a new para. 3 in Annex 9 to address wet grip of C2 and C3 tyres in a worn state (see GRBP-75-26-Rev.1 for concept).

23. The expert from ETRTO introduced an amendment proposal on a “traction tyre” (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/17). GRBP adopted the proposal, as amended by GRBP-76-31, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of the draft new 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

GRBP-76-31 | UN R117: Proposal to amend the proposal for 04 series of amendments Re-introduces the definition of traction tyre as this can be still used between the entry into force date of the 04 series of amendments and 7 July 2024 .

GRBP/2022/17 | UN R117: Proposal for the 04 series of amendments Proposal to introduce a new definition of traction elements to characterize traction tyres.

24. The experts from ETRTO tabled proposals which aimed to introduce provisions for type approval of special use tyres that fulfil the requirements for snow performance (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/18 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/19).

25. GRBP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/19, as amended by GRBP-76-21, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 15 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

26. GRBP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/18 and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

GRBP-76-21 | UN R117: Proposal to amend the proposal for Supplement 2 to the 03 Series of amendments Proposals for editorial corrections to the provisions for type approval of special use tyres that fulfil the requirements for snow performance

GRBP/2022/18 | UN R117: Proposal for a Supplement to the 03 series of amendments Proposal to introduce provisions to allow type approval of special use tyres that fulfil the requirements for snow performance as laid out in Annex 7. The respective marking related to the “Alpine” symbol has been considered for tyres complying with these requirements.

GRBP/2022/19 | UN R117: Proposal for a Supplement to the 02 series of amendments Proposal to introduce provisions to allow the type approval of special use tyres that fulfil the requirements for snow performance as laid out in Annex 7. The respective marking related to the “Alpine” symbol has been considered for those tyres complying with these requirements.

27. The expert from ETRTO proposed editorial corrections (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/20). GRBP adopted this proposal, as amended by GRBP-76-22, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 15 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

GRBP-76-22 | UN R117: Proposal to amend the Supplement to the 02 series of amendments Proposal for editorial corrections

GRBP/2022/20 | UN R117: Proposal for a Supplement to the 02 series of amendments Proposal to correct editorial mistakes in document GRBP/2021/17 that were not corrected by informal document GRBP74-31-Rev.1.

28. GRBP noted that all above amendments to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117, i.e. draft Supplement 1 to the 03 series, should also be included into the draft new 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

29. To facilitate consolidation of amendment proposals according to their series of amendments of UN Regulation No. 117, the expert from ETRTO prepared a summary of all relevant official and informal documents (GRBP-76-38). In this context, GRBP expressed a general concern about the late arrival of a large number of informal documents, impeding their proper consideration by experts from contracting parties.

30. GRBP noted that the consolidated amendment proposals to the 02, 03 and 04 series of amendments of UN Regulation No. 117 would be prepared in December 2022 and submitted to the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1. In the interim, GRBP agreed to check these consolidated documents for errors at its next session in February 2023.

GRBP-76-38 | UN R117: Overview of current amendment proposals

31. On behalf of the Task Force on Studded Tyres (TF ST), the expert from Finland reported on their activities (GRBP-76-13) and introduced a proposal that included prescriptions for ice grip performance of tyres of class C1 into UN Regulation No. 164 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/11). GRBP adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 1 to UN Regulation No. 164.

GRBP-76-13 | UN R164: TF Studded Tyres status report

GRBP/2022/11 | UN R164: Proposal for Supplement 1 Proposal from the Studded Tyres task force to introduce provisions for C1 tyre ice-grip performance.

32. The expert from the United Kingdom proposed to extend the installation of a pause function to situations where national time-based restrictions apply, irrespective of a rear visibility device being fitted (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2022/24 and GRBP-76-07-Rev.1). The experts from France, Germany, Japan, Russian Federation and OICA commented on the proposal. GRBP invited the expert from the United Kingdom to liaise with these experts with the aim to prepare a revised proposal for consideration at the next session.

GRBP-76-07/Rev.1 | Reverse Warning Regulation – UK Proposal

GRBP-76-07/Rev.1 | Reverse Warning Regulation – UK Proposal

GRBP/2022/24 | UN R165: Proposal for Supplement 1 Proposal to amend the provisions for a pause function for reversing warning systems with the aim to comply with the national environmental (noise) restrictions.

GRBP/2022/24 | UN R165: Proposal for Supplement 1 Proposal to amend the provisions for a pause function for reversing warning systems with the aim to comply with the national environmental (noise) restrictions.

33. The experts from the project on Strengthening the Effect of quieter tyres on European Roads (STEER) and from the Belgian Road Research Centre reported on uncertainty and improving the tyre noise label of the European Union (GRBP-76-26 and GRBP-76-25, respectively). GRBP invited IWG MU to address the findings of these studies.

GRBP-76-25 | Project STEER : Improving the EU Tyre Noise Label, an overview of the key findings Exchange of information on national and international requirements on noise levels

GRBP-76-26 | Uncertainty on the EU Tyre (Noise) label Exchange of information on national and international requirements on noise levels

34. No proposals were considered under this agenda item.

35. No new information was provided.

36. GRBP took note of the highlights of the March and June 2022 sessions of WP.29 on GRBP and common issues (GRBP-76-19).

GRBP-76-19 | General information and WP 29 highlights

37. The Chair briefly introduced a revised list of priorities (GRBP-76-36). GRBP took note of this document and invited experts to prepare comments for consideration at a separate online meeting that would be convened by the Chair in September or October 2022.

GRBP-76-36 | Updated list of GRBP priorities

38. The expert from the Informal Working Group on the Electronic Database for the Exchange of Type Approval Documentation (IWG DETA) introduced a proposal for the extension of DETA with the aim to improve the use of the “Unique Identifier” (UI) in UN Regulations (GRBP-76-12). For the UN Regulations in the GRBP purview, he invited GRBP to:

1. Consider whether the approval markings may be replaced by a UI marking.
2. If so, determine which additional markings for consumers should remain on the products.
3. Based on a harmonized template that is to be developed, specify the content for a Summary Document in a Supplement to each UN Regulation for which the use of UI is not prohibited.

39. The Chair proposed a list of UN Regulations for which the use of UI should be prohibited (GRBP-76-30). Following an exchange of views, GRBP agreed that the use of UI in the context of GRBP UN Regulations would not bring additional benefits at this stage and requested the Chair to convey this position to WP.29 and IWG DETA. The expert from Switzerland reserved their position on this matter.

GRBP-76-12 | DETA: Proposal to improve the use of the Unique Identifier for UN Regulations

GRBP-76-30 | 1958 Agreement : Unique Identifier and UN Regulations The UI feature is being developed. The IWG on DETA is consulting the subsidiary bodies of WP.29 concerning the proposed “summary documents” aimed at storing information associated with a Unique Identifier.

40. The Chair invited volunteers to review the UN Regulations under the responsibility of GRBP with the aim to identify amendments to driver-related functions, which might be necessary for applying these UN Regulations in the context of automated/autonomous vehicles. Subject to further confirmation, the expert from the Netherlands provisionally expressed his interest in undertaking this activity.

41. The expert from Germany reported on the 2021 national campaign on noise emissions (GRBP-76-27) during which the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) had tested various passenger cars (M1) and motorcycles (L3e) for their noise emissions in their original condition, as well as with a replacement silencing system available on the market. According to the German expert, the results had demonstrated the need to strengthen market surveillance of replacement silencers. The experts from IMMA pointed out that the industry was also tackling this issue.

GRBP-76-27 | Campaign on noise emissions 2021 Initiated by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) tested various passenger cars (M1) and motorcycles (L3e) with regard to their noise emissions in 2021

42. On behalf of the Task Force on Tyre Abrasion (TF TA), the expert from France presented a progress report (GRBP-76-37). The expert from Japan expressed their interest in the TF TA activities.

43. Based on GRBP-76-39-Rev.1, GRBP adopted a list of main decisions (annex II of the session report) in accordance with silence procedure.

GRBP-76-39/Rev.1 | GRBP-76: Draft list of main decisions during the September 2022 session

44. For its seventy-seventh session, scheduled to be held in Geneva from 7 (p.m.) to 10 (a.m.) February 2023, GRBP decided to keep the same structure for the provisional agenda. GRBP noted that the deadline for the submission of official documents to the secretariat would be 14 November 2022, twelve weeks prior to the session.

45. GRBP was informed about the guidance of WP.29 and the Administrative Committee for Coordination of Work (AC.1) on nomination and election of Chairs and Vice-Chairs under the current situation (WP.29-187-18).
46. In compliance with Rule 37 of the WP.29 Rules of Procedure (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/690/Rev.2) and Rule 42 of the ECE Rules of Procedure (E/ECE/778/Rev.5), GRBP elected by acclamation Mr. S. Ficheux (France) as Chair for the year 2023.

47. In the absence of agreement on the position of Vice-Chair for 2023, GRBP proceeded with the election among the two nominated candidates, Mr. A. Bocharov (Russian Federation) and Mr. B. Schüttler (Germany). A vote was taken by secret ballot and in compliance with Rules 1, 21, 24 to 26 and 37 of the WP.29 Rules of Procedure (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/690/Rev.2) as well as with Rules 27 and 42 of the ECE Rules of Procedure (E/ECE/778/Rev.5):

• Number of ballot papers: 35
• Number of invalid ballots: 0
• Number of participants (member States) present and voting: 35
• Required majority: 18

Number of votes obtained:

• Mr. A. Bocharov (Russian Federation): 1
• Mr. B. Schüttler (Germany): 34

48. Having obtained the required majority and the larger number of votes, Mr. Bernd Schüttler (Germany) was elected Vice-Chair for the year 2023.