1. The Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP) held its seventy-seventh session from 7 to 10 February 2023 in Geneva. 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): China, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 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), European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), European Garage Equipment Association (EGEA), European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO), Imported Tyre Manufacturers Association (ITMA), International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA).

2. GRBP considered and adopted the agenda (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/1, as amended by GRBP-77-01). GRBP noted the running order proposed by the Chair (GRBP-77-06). The informal documents are listed in annex I. The GRBP informal groups are given in annex III of the session report.

GRBP-77-01 | GRBP-77: Updates to the agenda of the February 2023 session

GRBP-77-06 | GRBP-77: Running order of the agenda

GRBP/2023/1 | GRBP: Annotated provisional agenda for the 77th (February 2023) session

3. The expert from IMMA tabled a proposal that aimed to complete the additional sound emission provisions’ table in the communication form of the 05 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 41 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/6). GRBP adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and the Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1) as draft Supplement 2 to the 05 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 41.

GRBP/2023/6 | UN R41: Proposal for Supplement 2 to the 05 series of amendments Proposal to complete the additional sound emission provisions’ table of the communication form in the 05 series of amendments to UN R41 to avoid oversight in data collection and entries.

4. The experts of IMMA and ISO proposed to include a reference to the latest standard ISO 10844:2021 test track in UN Regulations Nos. 41 and 63, while keeping reference to the previous version ISO 10844:2014 (GRBP-77-02). GRBP generally supported this proposal and invited IMMA and ISO to prepare an official document for consideration at the next session.

GRBP-77-02 | UN R41 and R63: Proposal for amendments <ol><li>Proposal to amend the 04 and 05 series of UN R41 and the 02 series of UN R63 to allow use of the latest state of the art ISO 10844 test track.</li><li>ISO has updated the ISO 10844 standard to reduce track-to-track variability caused by differing interpretations and implementations of the technical requirements. The tyre/road contribution to the overall sound performance of a motorcycle is lower compared to cars.</li><li>The improvements from the ISO 10844:2014 to the 2021 version would not result in a need for updating the surface for L-category test tracks: Updating the ISO 10844 reference would have negligible impact on the measurement procedure and measurement results.</li><li>If however the ISO reference in the L-category noise regulations would be updated without maintaining the current ISO 10844:2014 as an option, IMMA sees a potential risk of tracks needing recertification, creating administrative burden with no practical benefit.</li><li> If later on, the tracks would need re-surfacing anyway (e.g. due to wear), then these can be built and certified according to ISO10844:2021. Because of the above, IMMA would like to allow certification with the tracks complying to either ISO10844:2014 or ISO10844:2021.</li><li>This proposal takes the opportunity to introduce proposals for additional corrections in R41/04 and R41/05 as specified below:<ul><li>Supplement 9 to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation 41 introduced a new paragraph 12.4, needing to renumber the (former) paragraphs 12.4 to 12.9 (WP.29/2021/4). Due to this renumbering, the reference to paragraph 12.7 in Annex 6 footnote a, and Annex 7 paragraph 2.6 is no longer correct and should be replaced by a reference to paragraph 12.8.</li><li>With the introduction of the 05 series of amendments the Transitional Provisions were rewritten and footnote a of Annex 6 became obsolete.</li></ul></li></ol>

5. The experts from the Informal Working Groups on Measurement Uncertainties (IWG MU) and on Additional Sound Emission Provisions (IWG ASEP), as well as from ISO, presented editorial corrections and clarifications to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/12, GRBP-77-05 and GRBP-77-26). GRBP supported these amendments and noted that they were already included in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/2 that would be considered by WP.29 at its forthcoming session in March 2023.

GRBP-77-05 | UN R51: Consolidated version of Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments Consolidated version integrating GRBP/2022/13, GRBP/2022/16 and GRBP-76-09 as adopted during the 76th GRBP session and including corrections and clarifications per GRBP/2023/12.

GRBP-77-26 | UN R51: Explanatory note regarding documents GRBP/2023/12 and GRBP-77-05

GRBP/2023/12 | UN R51: Proposal for corrections to the 03 series of amendments Proposal from the Informal Working Groups on Measurement Uncertainties (IWG MU) and Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) and from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for editorial corrections and clarifications based on the 03 series of amendments to UN R51 up to Supplement 7.

6. The Chair of IWG MU reported on their activities (GRBP-77-10-Rev.1) and presented amendments to the document of reference on measurement uncertainties (GRBP-77-07 and GRBP-77-08). GRBP adopted the amendments and requested the secretariat to publish the revised document of reference on the GRBP website.

GRBP-77-07 | A general approach how to handle noise measurement uncertainty

GRBP-77-08 | Proposal for a Revision 2 to the general approach how to handle noise measurement uncertainty

GRBP-77-10/Rev.1 | Noise Measurement Uncertainties informal group status report to GRBP

7. The expert from IWG MU introduced a proposal that aimed to amend UN Regulation No. 51 with tables showing the measurement uncertainties when performing type approval, conformity of production (COP) or field testing (e.g. market surveillance) (GRBP-77-09). Some GRBP experts suggested that these tables be included not in the UN Regulation, but in another document, for example, the above document of reference. Following an exchange of views, GRBP decided to revert to this issue at the next session.

GRBP-77-09 | UN R51: Proposal for a Supplement 9 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal from the Informal Working Group on Measurement Uncertainties (IWG MU) to amend UN R51 with tables showing the measurement uncertainties when performing type-approval, COP, or field testing (e.g. market surveillance). The measurement uncertainties developed in this Appendix are based the IWG MU work and its Document for Reference which describes a general approach to estimate measurement uncertainties (GRBP/2022/9/Rev.2). The impact of the quantities on the expanded uncertainty has been evaluated separately for run-to-run, day-to-day, vehicle-to-vehicle and site-to-site variations. Some of the different impacts are based on calculations from tolerances in Annex 3, while others are based on experiences.

8. GRBP recalled that, on 1 July 2023, a one-year monitoring period would start for collecting and analysing test data on the Real Driving Additional Sound Emission Provisions (RD ASEP). The expert from OICA presented their views on the organization of this process (GRBP-77-14) and proposed a draft monitoring data sheet for the purposes of RD ASEP data collection (GRBP-77-15-Rev.1). GRBP noted that the Technical Services, under overall responsibility of the Type Approval Authorities, should play a key role in gathering the required data sets and sending them not less than every three months to an independent contractor selected by OICA, who would check the quality and analyse the data. OICA invited Contracting Parties to inform OICA by the end of February 2023, if they would be willing to financially contribute to the project.

9. To clarify the process of data collection, the experts from Germany and OICA proposed amendments to UN Regulation No. 51 (GRBP-77-13-Rev.1). GRBP adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 9 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51. GRBP also requested the secretariat to publish on the GRBP website, the final version of the monitoring data sheet (currently GRBP-77-15-Rev.1) which would be available in May 2023.

10. GRBP noted that the above amendments, if approved in June 2023, would enter into force around January 2024, while the data collection should start on 1 July 2023. GRBP counted on the cooperation of Contracting Parties and urged Type Approval Authorities and Technical Services to collect and transmit the RD ASEP data as of 1 July 2023. GRBP also invited WP.29, at its June 2023 session, to reiterate this request to Contracting Parties.

11. In view of the forthcoming RD ASEP monitoring, GRBP agreed to resume the activities of IWG ASEP and to extend its mandate until December 2024. At its next session, GRBP decided to review the Terms of Reference of IWG ASEP and invited experts to prepare proposals.

GRBP-77-13/Rev.1 | UN R51: Proposal for corrections to Supplements 7 and 8 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal to clarify the details of the data-handling during the monitoring phase required in paragraph 5.1.1.

GRBP-77-14 | RD-ASEP: Organizational Questions regarding the Monitoring Phase

GRBP-77-15/Rev.1 | UN R51: RD-ASEP Monitoring Data sheet V4

12. The expert from China reported on their research on measurement methods for heavy-duty vehicles in multiple driving mode conditions (GRBP-77-28). The experts from Germany and OICA commented on the study.

GRBP-77-28 | Research on Measurement Methods for Heavy-Duty Vehicles in Multiple Driving Mode Conditions

13. The expert from the Task Force on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (TF QRTV) reported on their activities (GRBP-77-29), in particular on the expected revision of standard ISO 16254 where a five-microphone array would be used instead of a single microphone.

14. The expert from ETRTO tabled a set of amendment proposals (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/11 and GRBP-77-24). Subject to replacement of “%” with “per cent” in paragraph 6.2.5.1., GRBP adopted the proposals, as laid down in GRBP-77-24, and requested the secretariat to submit them for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 26 to UN Regulation No. 54.

GRBP-77-24 | UN R54: Proposal to supersede document GRBP/2023/11 Proposal to replace GRBP/2023/11 with a revised proposal to address the following: 1. “Special use” tyres with nominal rim diameters larger than those listed in the present table (rim diameters up to 42, section widths up to 750 mm and overall diameters over 2 meters) and with speed symbols F and above have been announced in the European market as original equipment of N3G "special purpose vehicles" (i.e., special high speed self-propelled vehicles for agricultural and forestry use, like wood choppers). 2. Existing multi-purpose tyres (MPT) (classified as “special use tyres” as per paragraphs 2.5.3. and 3.1.13.), already type approved since years, have a tread pattern with lugs or cleats in addition to those with blocks, as evidenced by the attached slide showing some examples. It is proposed to amend paragraph 6.3.1. by clarifying that lugs and cleats are possible shapes of the mentioned blocks. 3. Testing tyres with very large overall diameters, sometimes over 2 m, on a test drum with a diameter of 1.70 m ± 1 % would be unpracticable. For practical reasons most of those tyres are regularly tested on drums with a diameter of 3 m or even larger. The proposal carries equivalence provisions from UN R106 to justify the equivalence of the test method as required by Annex 7 in point 4 “Equivalent test methods" and clarifies based on UN R117 the formula already used indirectly. 4. Some commercial vehicles are often used in the market at a reduced speed of 70 km/h with a load-capacity of the tyres increased as per load/speed combination defined in the table of Annex 8. The proposal would allow use of the speed category symbol E (but restrict it to "additional service description") to provide this information. 5. Considering that 32 km/h is already a floor value for the test-drum speed for diagonal tyres, ETRTO proposes not to apply to E speed category symbol tyres the linear decrease of the test-drum speed in function of the decrease of the speed category symbol by keeping, for safety reasons, the same test-drum speed as for F speed category symbol tyres, i.e., 32 km/h). 6. In the case of additional service descriptions mentioned in paragraph 6.2.5.1., it is proposed not to perform the additional load/speed test because the load-capacity approximates with a negligeable difference the reduction or the increase in percentage of the nominal load/speed combination applicable to the nominal speed category symbol (see Annex 8). An example of the actual differences (in percentage and in absolute value) is provided. 7. Type approval applications for radial tyres with load capacity index greater or equal to 122 and without the additional marking "LT", or "C" have been done in the past for the speed category symbol N for which the load/speed endurance test procedure is not described in Annex 7, Appendix 1. To type approve such tyres the test speed was separately defined by the different involved Type Approval Authorities. In order to harmonize the test procedure to be used for the type approval of such tyres, it is proposed to amend the Annex 7, Appendix 1 by introducing testing conditions in line with the rule applied for defining the test speed of radial tyres with load capacity index greater or equal to 122 (i.e. starting from 32 km/h set for F speed category symbol, the test speed is increased by 8 km/h respect to the one set for the previous speed category symbol). 8. The definition of "snow tyre" is amended to clarify that "snow tyres" are not only suitable for the use in snow conditions but also on mud and by replacing the term "maintain vehicle motion" (i.e. keeping the vehicle speed and direction of movement constant) by a more general concept of "controlling vehicle motion" (i.e. also being able to change the vehicle speed and direction of movement as intended). 9. It is proposed to explicitly allow other technical measurement solutions of the tyre overall width by removing the words “by caliper” which fix a technical limitation. The removal of this technical limitation would be advisable following the principle of not stopping the technical innovations.

GRBP/2023/11 | UN R54: Proposal for amendments Proposal to address the following: 1. “Special use” tyres with nominal rim diameters larger than those listed in the present table (rim diameters up to 42, section widths up to 750 mm and overall diameters over 2 meters) and with speed symbols F and above have been announced in the European market as original equipment of N3G "special purpose vehicles" (i.e., special high speed self-propelled vehicles for agricultural and forestry use, like wood choppers). 2. Existing multi-purpose tyres (MPT) (classified as “special use tyres” as per paragraphs 2.5.3. and 3.1.13.), already type approved since years, have a tread pattern with lugs or cleats in addition to those with blocks, as evidenced by the attached slide showing some examples. It is proposed to amend paragraph 6.3.1. by clarifying that lugs and cleats are possible shapes of the mentioned blocks. 3. Testing tyres with very large overall diameters, sometimes over 2 m, on a test drum with a diameter of 1.70 m ± 1 % would be unpracticable. For practical reasons most of those tyres are regularly tested on drums with a diameter of 3 m or even larger. The proposal carries equivalence provisions from UN R106 to justify the equivalence of the test method as required by Annex 7 in point 4 “Equivalent test methods" and clarifies based on UN R117 the formula already used indirectly. 4. Some commercial vehicles are often used in the market at a reduced speed of 70 km/h with a load-capacity of the tyres increased as per load/speed combination defined in the table of Annex 8. The proposal would allow use of the speed category symbol E (but restrict it to "additional service description") to provide this information. 5. Considering that 32 km/h is already a floor value for the test-drum speed for diagonal tyres, ETRTO proposes not to apply to E speed category symbol tyres the linear decrease of the test-drum speed in function of the decrease of the speed category symbol by keeping, for safety reasons, the same test-drum speed as for F speed category symbol tyres, i.e., 32 km/h). 6. In the case of additional service descriptions mentioned in paragraph 6.2.5.1., it is proposed not to perform the additional load/speed test because the load-capacity approximates with a negligeable difference the reduction or the increase in percentage of the nominal load/speed combination applicable to the nominal speed category symbol (see Annex 8). 7. Type approval applications for radial tyres with load capacity index greater or equal to 122 and without the additional marking "LT", or "C" have been done in the past for the speed category symbol N for which the load/speed endurance test procedure is not described in Annex 7, Appendix 1. To type approve such tyres the test speed was separately defined by the different involved Type Approval Authorities. In order to harmonize the test procedure to be used for the type approval of such tyres, it is proposed to amend the Annex 7, Appendix 1 by introducing testing conditions in line with the rule applied for defining the test speed of radial tyres with load capacity index greater or equal to 122 (i.e. starting from 32 km/h set for F speed category symbol, the test speed is increased by 8 km/h respect to the one set for the previous speed category symbol). 8. The definition of "snow tyre" is amended to clarify that "snow tyres" are not only suitable for the use in snow conditions but also on mud and by replacing the term "maintain vehicle motion" (i.e. keeping the vehicle speed and direction of movement constant) by a more general concept of "controlling vehicle motion" (i.e. also being able to change the vehicle speed and direction of movement as intended). 9. It is proposed to explicitly allow other technical measurement solutions of the tyre overall width by removing the words “by caliper” which fix a technical limitation. The removal of this technical limitation would be advisable following the principle of not stopping the technical innovations. 10. Editorial corrections are introduced to ensure that the terms "load-capacity" and "speed category symbol" are used consistently throughout the text and to remove some typing mistakes present in the current text.

15. The expert from ETRTO introduced corrections and clarifications (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/7). GRBP adopted the proposal, as amended by GRBP-77-21, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 20 to UN Regulation No. 75.

GRBP-77-21 | UN R75: Proposal to amend document GRBP/2023/7 Editorial amendment to align the definition of "special tyre" with the proposal for the snow tyre definition in paragraph 2.33.

GRBP/2023/7 | UN R75: Proposal for amendments Proposal to explicitly allow other technical measurement solutions of the tyre overall width by removing the words “by calliper”, add the definition of "special tyre", clarify the definition of "snow tyre", to enable the case of a "special tyre" fulfilling the definition of a "snow" tyre, clarify application of the suffix "M/C", and make editorial corrections and clarifications.

16. The expert from ETRTO proposed to extend the scope of this UN Regulation to tyres of the speed category, symbol E in order to accommodate the technical evolution of agricultural and forestry vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/9). The expert from Germany expressed concerns over the possible misfitting of tyres on rims, should this proposal be adopted. Some other experts pointed out that they needed more time to study the proposal. Those experts also held the general view that such brand new proposals should first be introduced as an informal document and only later as a working document at the subsequent session, thus giving all experts ample time to study the proposal. Consequently, GRBP decided to postpone the discussion to the next session. In the interim, interested experts were invited to provide their comments and/or questions to ETRTO.

GRBP/2023/9 | UN R106: Proposal for amendments Proposal to extend the scope of the speed category E to align with the technical evolution of agricultural and forestry vehicles.

17. The expert from France proposed aligning the test procedures in UN Regulation No. 109 with those in UN Regulation No. 117 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/4). Subject to replacement of “Annex 7” with “Annex 10” in the introductory line, GRBP adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 12 to UN Regulation No. 109.

GRBP/2023/4 | UN R109: Proposal for amendments Proposal to ensure that the test procedures for retreaded tyres are aligned with the text adopted by WP.29 per document WP.29/2021/8 for UN R117.

18. The expert from ETRTO introduced corrections (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/10 and GRBP-77-22). GRBP adopted the corrections, as laid down in GRBP-77-22, and requested the secretariat to submit them for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 12 to UN Regulation No. 109.

GRBP-77-22 | UN R109: Proposal to amend document GRBP/2023/10 Proposal to supersede GRBP/2023/10 with a more flexible approach appropriate for covering the operations of small retreaders.

GRBP/2023/10 | UN R109: Proposal for amendments The prescription given in paragraph 3.5.2., which will be implemented through document WP.29/2022/7/Rev.1 adopted by WP.29, contradicts the previously existing prescription in paragraph 3.2.9. This proposal aims to resolve the contradiction by amending paragraph 3.5.2. to introduce a reference to the prescriptions given in paragraph 3.2.9.

19. The group of experts on the split of the UN Regulations on retreaded tyres reported on their activities (GRBP-77-16) and proposed drafting a new UN Regulation on approval of retreaded tyres with regard to their snow performance, together with amending UN Regulations Nos. 108 and 109. GRBP agreed to include this work in its list of priorities.

GRBP-77-16 | Small group on retreaded tyre regulation split status report Report on discussions concerning the feasibility of a new UN Regulation on uniform provisions for the approval of pre-cured tread materials used for producing retreaded tyres or the approval of retreaded tyres produced by using mould cure process with regard to their snow performance.

20. On behalf of the Informal Working Group on Wet Grip Performance of Tyres in Worn State (IWG WGWT), the expert from France reported on its progress (GRBP-77-30) and proposed to update its Terms of Reference (GRBP-77-03). GRBP decided to extend the mandate of IWG WGWT until February 2026 and adopted its revised Terms of Reference, as contained in annex II to the session report.

GRBP-77-03 | Worn tyres: Revised Terms of Reference of the Informal Working Group on Wet Grip Performance for Tyres in a Worn State

21. The expert of IWG WGWT proposed to add the missing references for the molded standard reference test tyre (SRTT16) in the 03 and 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/2 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/3). GRBP endorsed these references and noted that they had been already included in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/5 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/8 which would be considered by WP.29 and AC.1 at their forthcoming session in March 2023.

GRBP/2023/2 | UN R117: Proposal for amendments to Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal for the Worn Tyres working group to complete the proposal for Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments to UN R117 (adopted by GRBP in September 2022 and submitted to the March 2023 WP.29 session) by adding a detailed reference (F3611-22) for the molded standard reference test tyre (SRTT16).

GRBP/2023/3 | UN R117: Proposal for amendments to the 04 series of amendments Proposal from the Worn Tyres working group to complete the proposal for the 04 series of amendments to UN R117 (adopted by GRBP in September 2022 and submitted to the March 2023 WP.29 session) by adding a detailed reference (F3611-22) for the molded standard reference test tyre (SRTT16).

GRBP/2023/5 | UN R117: Proposal for amendments The existing transitional provisions do not address tyres produced in accordance with the applicable requirements and placed in distribution channels before 7 July 2026. Therefore, a new transitional provision is proposed based on the clause R.4 of part C – “Transitional provisions for replacement parts for vehicles in use” of the General Guidelines for United Nations Regulatory Procedures and Transitional Provisions in UN Regulations. It will clarify that new tyres manufactured before 7 July 2026 and approved according to the 02 or 03 series of amendment will be allowed to be sold and fitted on vehicles in use for additional period not exceeding 30 months from 7 July 2026.

GRBP/2023/8 | UN R117: Proposal for amendments Proposal to delete obsolete footnotes concerning worn tyre wet grip and approvals under UN R117 coincident with approvals under UN R54. The 04 series of amendments to UN R117 introduces the requirements on adhesion of tyres in worn state on wet surfaces for tyres within the scope of UN R54.

22. The expert from the European Commission proposed a new transitional provision (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/5). Following an in-depth discussion, GRBP adopted this proposal, as amended by GRBP-77-32, and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 1 to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

GRBP-77-32 | UN R117: Proposal to amend document GRBP/2023/5

GRBP/2023/5 | UN R117: Proposal for amendments The existing transitional provisions do not address tyres produced in accordance with the applicable requirements and placed in distribution channels before 7 July 2026. Therefore, a new transitional provision is proposed based on the clause R.4 of part C – “Transitional provisions for replacement parts for vehicles in use” of the General Guidelines for United Nations Regulatory Procedures and Transitional Provisions in UN Regulations. It will clarify that new tyres manufactured before 7 July 2026 and approved according to the 02 or 03 series of amendment will be allowed to be sold and fitted on vehicles in use for additional period not exceeding 30 months from 7 July 2026.

23. The expert from ETRTO proposed a correction (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2023/8). GRBP adopted the correction and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 1 to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117.

GRBP/2023/8 | UN R117: Proposal for amendments Proposal to delete obsolete footnotes concerning worn tyre wet grip and approvals under UN R117 coincident with approvals under UN R54. The 04 series of amendments to UN R117 introduces the requirements on adhesion of tyres in worn state on wet surfaces for tyres within the scope of UN R54.

24. The expert from IWG MU proposed to update the rolling noise temperature correction for C1 tyres (GRBP-77-11 and GRBP-77-12). GRBP invited IWG MU to submit an official document for consideration at the next session.

GRBP-77-11 | UN R117: Proposal for C1 tyre rolling noise temperature correction update

GRBP-77-12 | UN R117: Rolling sound emission - C1 temperature correction proposal Proposal from the Noise Measurement Uncertainties informal group for amendments to Annex 3.

25. The expert from the American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) briefly introduced GRBP-77-23 and requested that time be allocated for discussion at the next session. He pointed out that several Middle Eastern countries outside the 1958 Agreement implement national and regional requirements based on UN Regulation No. 117. In the region, specialized pickup trucks are used in oil fields, mining, agriculture, forestry and other rough terrains for heavy tasks. According to the expert, for safety and durability reasons, these vehicles require suitable tyres where the vehicle mass and tyre combinations do not permit compliance with the rolling resistance limits of UN Regulation No. 117. GRBP invited GRBP experts to provide feedback and agreed to address this issue in detail at the next session.

GRBP-77-23 | UN R117: Request for consideration of a special case during the 78th (August 2023) GRBP session Request to allocate time on the agenda of the 78th session for consideration of performance requirements for tyres used on heavy-duty pickup trucks designed for professional tasks on rough terrains.

26. No issues were considered under this item.

27. At the request of the expert from the United Kingdom, GRBP skipped this agenda item.

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.

28. The expert of the Task Force on Vehicle Sound (TF VS) reported on their activities (GRBP-77-25) and recalled the study on the limits of sound levels of M- and N-category vehicles that had been presented at the previous session (GRBP-76-14). GRBP requested the secretariat to publish the study as a reference document on the website.

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

GRBP-77-25 | Vehicle Sound task force status report to GRBP

29. No proposals were considered under this agenda item.

30. No new information was provided.

31. GRBP took note of the highlights of the November 2022 session of WP.29 on GRBP and common issues (GRBP-77-04).

GRBP-77-04 | General information and WP.29 highlights relevant to GRBP activities

32. The Chair presented a revised list of priorities (GRBP-77-27). Taking into consideration various new items discussed at the present session, GRBP proposed to include them in the list and requested the Chair to update the document accordingly.

GRBP-77-27/Rev.1 | Subjects under consideration by the Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP)

33. GRBP was briefed on the activities of the Informal Working Group for the Electronic Database for the Exchange of Type Approval Documentation (IWG DETA) with the aim to start the use of the “Unique Identifier” (UI) in UN Regulations. In particular, GRBP noted that IWG on DETA had provided a template to be used by the WP.29 subsidiary Working Parties (GRs) for the implementation of UI in UN Regulations (WP.29-188-20).

34. GRBP recalled that, at its previous session, it had agreed that the use of UI in the context of GRBP UN Regulations would not bring additional benefits. GRBP noted that, according to Schedule 5 to the 1958 Agreement, the use of UI is allowed, unless provided otherwise in a UN Regulation. GRBP was informed that, at the WP.29 session in November 2022, two solutions had been suggested to ban the use of UI:

1. Elaborate a standard prohibiting clause to be inserted in UN Regulations; or
2. Adopt an amendment to Schedule 5 of the 1958 Agreement.

35. Some experts pointed out that option (b) would be less time consuming. At the same time, GRBP noted that, in case of need, UN Regulations in the scope of GRBP could be amended one by one or in blocks with the standard clause under option (a).

WP.29-188-20 | 1958 Agreement: Unique Identifier - Proposed actions for the DETA informal group, GR working parties, and WP.29 Note from the WP.29 secretariat

36. The expert for the Special Interest Group on Automated Vehicles Regulation Screening (SIG AVRS) reported on their progress (GRBP-77-17, GRBP-77-18 and GRBP-77-19). In particular, SIG AVRS had preliminary screened 21 UN Regulations under the responsibility of GRBP and identified 13 UN Regulations for further consideration. GRBP noted that the future activities would include formalization of the report and its submission to WP.29, prioritization of findings in the GRBP priority list and inclusion of further assessment of specific UN Regulations in future Terms of Reference of SIG AVRS.

37. The expert from ISO informed GRBP about a full review of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) undertaken in the United States of America for the purposes of automated driving systems (ADS). The expert from OICA recalled that the European Union had adopted an ADS framework where some UN Regulations had also been reviewed.

38. GRBP invited all experts to help SIG identify the required changes in UN Regulations and set up priorities, taking into account the priorities of WP.29 and Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA). GRBP also noted that WP.29 had requested the Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG) and GRVA to collaborate on developing new vehicle categories (or subcategories) dedicated to ADS.

39. GRBP was informed that the WP.29 Coordination Committee (AC.2) had recommended that GRBP should analyse research and establish high level principles for the possible ADS external audible signals.

GRBP-77-17 | Screening of Regulations for ADS Applicability: High-level review table Outcomes from discussions in the GRBP Special Interest Group on AV Regulatory Screening.

GRBP-77-18 | Report on the screening of GRBP Regulations for ADS applicability issues

GRBP-77-19 | Report of Special Interest Group on Automated Vehicle Regulation Screening (SIG AVRS)

40. GRBP noted a progress report of the Task Force on Tyre Abrasion (TF TA) (GRBP-77-31), including the work on different test methods and the 2023 validation and correlation test campaign.

GRBP-77-31 | Tyre Abrasion task force status report to GRBP

41. The expert from IMMA introduced a draft document for reference with industry guidelines on the antitampering provisions for Non-Original Replacement Exhaust Systems (NORESS) in UN Regulation No. 92 (GRBP-77-20). GRBP experts generally supported the document and made several suggestions for improvement. GRBP agreed to revert to this issue at the next session in order to update the document and later publish it as a document of reference on the GRBP website.

GRBP-77-20 | UN R92: Industry guideline on the anti-tampering provisions for Non-Original Replacement Exhaust Systems (NORESS)

42. GRBP paid tribute to Mr. K. Feith, former American expert in GRBP, who had passed away. GRBP recognized his substantial contributions to the GRBP work, in particular on QRTV, and conveyed condolences to his family.

43. For its seventy-eighth session, scheduled to be held in Geneva from 30 August to 1 September 2023, GRBP decided to keep the same structure for the provisional agenda, subject to the inclusion of a new subitem “Tyre abrasion” under the item “Tyres”. GRBP noted that the deadline for the submission of official documents to the secretariat would be 6 June 2023, twelve weeks prior to the session.