1. The Working Party on Noise (GRB) held its fifty-fifth session from 7 (afternoon) to 9 (morning) February 2012 in Geneva. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ch. Theis (Germany). 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 and Amend.1): Belgium; Canada; Denmark; China; France; Germany; Hungary; India; Italy; Japan; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Republic of Korea; Russian Federation; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America (US). Expert from the European Commission (EC) participated. Experts from the following non-governmental organizations also participated: European Association of Automobile Suppliers (CLEPA); International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA); International Organization for Standardization (ISO); International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA). Upon the special invitation of the Chair, experts from the following non-governmental organizations participated: European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO); International Motorcycling Federation (FIM); World Blind Union (WBU).

2. GRB considered and adopted the agenda ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/1, including new agenda items 15, 16 and 17.

GRB/2012/1 | Annotated provisional agenda for the 55th GRB session

3. GRB noted GRB-55-08, tabled by the expert from the Russian Federation, with the purpose of providing harmonized definitions on vehicle type concerning noise, the terms noise and sound. GRB expected similar proposals of revision to others UN Regulations under its responsibility. The secretariat was requested to distribute GRB-55-08 with an official symbol for consideration at the September 2012 session of GRB.

GRB-55-08 | Proposal for corrigenda to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No. 41 Russia submitted this proposal to address concerns over uniformity in the concepts of “vehicle type concerning noise”, terms "noise" and "sound" and a structure for presenting the provisions.

4. GRB noted that no new proposal was available to update the ISO references to the Regulations under its responsibility. GRB agreed to defer discussion under this agenda item at its September 2012 session.

5. The expert from Norway gave a presentation (GRB-55-07), showing the study results of the TNO report commissioned by the European Commission on vehicle noise limit values, performed by the project group of noise of the conference of European directors of roads (CEDR). As a conclusion of this study, CEDR suggested more stringent noise limits for new vehicles. The study received several comments. The expert of OICA argued that consumer costs on further noise abatement are compared to industry costs for measures on vehicles noise reduction and the expert from EC suggested considering not only economical aspects but on a broader basis.

GRB-55-07 | CEDR Project Group Noise: Value for Money in Noise Abatement Presentation by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration on noise abatement activities of the Conference of European Directors of Roads.

6. The expert from EC presented the new EC legislative proposal (GRB-55-16) on reducing noise emissions from motor vehicles. He suggested that to overcome the different national/regional political priorities on noise, the discussion on new limits should be focused on the mutual recognition principle, i.e. the vehicle having to comply with the lowest noise level would be accepted everywhere. He added that before taking a position on new limits for UN Regulation No. 51, the European Union (Commission, Parliament and member States) would have to agree internally on acceptable emission levels. He proposed to report, at each GRB session, on the progress made at EU level and invited other Contracting Parties to do the same for the discussion they were carrying internally on implementing UN Regulation No. 51 with new noise limits. GRB assumed that the EC proposal was incorporating the consolidated version of UN Regulation No. 51 at its latest stage of amendments. However, the expert from OICA underlined that some differences between UN Regulation No. 51 and the EC proposal were noted. Since the nature of these differences were not clear, GRB experts expressed the wish to verify if these changes were editorial or substantial. Finally, GRB agreed to resume discussion on this matter at its September 2012 session and noted that the EC proposal was available on the DG Enterprise/Automotive website.

GRB-55-16 | Reducing Noise Emissions from Motor Vehicles: New EU Legislative proposal European Commission presentation on plans for adopting new noise emissions test procedures, limit values, and minimum noise requirements for quiet vehicles.

7. The expert from Japan made a presentation (GRB-55-10) to introduce GRB-55-01 as an alternative proposal of new limits to GRB-54-03. The proposal received some comments. GRB agreed to resume discussion on this subject on the basis of a concrete proposal of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51 tabled by the expert from Japan.

GRB-54-03 | German Position on new limit values for 03 series of amendments to R51

GRB-55-01 | Japanese Position on new limit values for 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 Table offering the Japanese position on new limit values for 03 series of amendments to Regulation No.51. The limit values are based on the TNO assessment study and German proposal with sub-categories proposed by Japan based upon a database of noise levels of Japanese vehicles.

GRB-55-10 | Japanese proposal on R51 limit values JASIC presentation in support of Japanese positions for the 03 series of the UN regulation on vehicle noise (UN R51). The presentation addresses a three-stage, six-year transition to more stringent noise limitations and proposes additional vehicle subcategories.

8. The expert from China introduced GRB-55-05-Rev.1 proposing amendments (GRB-55-04) aimed at revising the definitions of the “pre-acceleration”, “reference point” and the “specific test conditions” for vehicles. The expert from ISO supported in principle the proposal, in line with the latest revision of ISO Standard 362, pending a study reservation on the specific test conditions. GRB agreed to resume discussion on this matter at its September 2012 session on the basis of a revised proposal prepared by the expert from China in collaboration with the expert from ISO.

GRB-55-04 | Proposal for draft amendments to Regulation No. 51 - 03 series Proposal for changes to the definitions of vehicle type (adding tire dimensions), 'pre-acceleration', and reference points (para. 2.11) and to the Annex 10 test procedures for medium to heavy vehicles.

GRB-55-05/Rev.1 | Discussion for limit values of ECE R51 – 03 series (Revised) Revised presentation by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) on proposed new noise limit values.

9. The expert from OICA presented GRB-55-18 introducing draft transitional provisions of the 03 series of amendments to the UN Regulation No. 51 (GRB-55-09). However, GRB did not support the proposal because it was not in line with the Revision 2 to UN Regulation No. 51 and with the general guidelines on transitional/administrative provisions (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2011/152). The expert from OICA withdrew GRB-55-09 and GRB offered to make a proposal based on Revision 2 of Regulation 51 and the general guideline at its September 2012 session.

GRB-55-09 | Proposal for draft 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 This proposal would revise the transitional provisions of the proposed 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 (see GRB/2012/2). OICA believes the preceding text may create problems in the granting or accepting of type approvals under the previous series.

GRB-55-18 | Proposal of transitional provisions Proposal of transitional provisions for the 03 series of UN R51 on vehicle noise. Importantly, the proposal seeks to address the handling of transitions and extensions between the 02 and 03 series, perhaps offering a template for transitional provisions in general.

WP.29/2011/152 | Proposal for guidelines on the scope, administrative provisions and alternative requirements in Regulations annexed to the 1958 Agreement

10. GRB noted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/2 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/3 tabled by the experts from the Netherlands and OICA. The expert from OICA clarified that ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/2 was aimed at reflecting the latest stage of amendments agreed by GRB including the proposal of 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51, while ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/3 was proposing further changes to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/2. GRB noted that the two proposals were not based on the latest stage of amendments agreed by GRB but rather on TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2005/2/Rev.2 superseded by TRANS/WP29/GRB/2005/5 (see TRANS/WP.29/GRB/40, para.7). The expert from OICA explained that the amendments made by GRB in TRANS/WP29/GRB/2005/5 were needed to introduce the monitoring phase into the Regulation and do not reflect the latest state of agreement with respect to the development of the new test method as a series 03 of amendments for UN Regulation 51. GRB agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its September 2012 session on a revised proposal based on the Revision 2 of UN Regulation No. 51 (E/ECE/324/Rev.1/Add.50/Rev.2−E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.1/Add.50/Rev.2), voluntarily prepared by the expert from OICA.

GRB/2005/2/Rev.2 | Revised proposal for draft amendments to Regulation No. 51

GRB/2012/2 | Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 Version of the proposed 03 series of amendments to UN R51 that consolidates the latest changes agreed within GRB (GRB/2005/2/Rev.2, all "method B" amendments, including WP.29/2011/64, and the Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP)).

GRB/2012/3 | Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 Version of the proposed 03 series of amendments to UN R51 based on GRB/2012/2 (consolidated version of the O3 series as agreed by GRB to date) but incorporating further improvements as proposed in GRB-54-05 and GRB-54-06 from the previous GRB session.

11. GRB agreed with the suggestion by the expert from the United Kingdom to amend paragraph 6 of the report ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/52 of the previous GRB session as follows:

“… Moreover, the expert from the United Kingdom also supported the proposal and underlined that the longer time period between stages was welcome on the condition of with respect to the high power sport cars where platform life is longer than conventional cars…”

GRB/52 | Report of the GRB on its 54th session

12. GRB noted that no new information had been given under this agenda item.

13. The expert from CLEPA introduced GRB-55-11 concerning the results of a test performed by his organization on additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) of exhaust replacement systems. Moreover, he gave a further presentation (GRB-55-17) showing that as an outcome of the test, two possible alternatives were possible to settle ASEP within UN Regulation No. 59: (i) test should only apply for replacement systems with the same acceptance criteria as for original equipment by using test method A or B or (ii) test should be carried out back to back to original equipment and replacement system. Most of GRB experts stated that it was too premature to indicate the most appropriate alternative. GRB agreed to resume discussion on this subject on the basis of a concrete proposal prepared by the experts from the Netherlands and CLEPA.

GRB-55-11 | ASEP test results: Replacement exhaust systems CLEPA presentation of the results of its noise-emission tests on seven vehicles comparing original equipment and replacement (aftermarket) silencing systems (mufflers) under the "Additional Sound Emissions Provisions" test procedure.

GRB-55-17 | ASEP test results: Alternatives for replacement exhaust systems CLEPA presentation on two alternatives for the application of "additional sound emission provisions" (ASEP) to replacement silencing systems.

14. GRB noted that no new information had been given under this agenda item.

15. Referring to the report of the September 2011 session of GRB (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/52, para. 12), the Chair of GRB clarified that GRB-54-12-Rev.1 adopted at its September 2011 session, will not affect the existing test methods but will rather constitute an alternative to improve the accuracy of the deceleration method. The expert from ETRTO confirmed the clarification of the Chair. The expert from France supporting the adoption by WP.29 of GRB-54-12-Rev.1, expressed the need of detailed elaboration of the concept of tyre deceleration (dω/dt) in the test technology. The expert from the Russian Federation informed GRB about the initiative made by experts from his country to ETRTO to create a task force of industry experts on deceleration test; to further consider the test method development. The expert from the Russian Federation announced his intention to keep GRB informed about this initiative at its furture sessions.

GRB-54-12/Rev.1 | Revised proposal amending document GRB/2011/11

16. GRB agreed to defer discussion on this agenda item to its September 2012 session, awaiting a concrete proposal from the expert of the Netherlands to harmonize the terminology used in the Regulations concerned.

17. The expert from EC presented GRB-55-15 informing GRB about the proposal for a EU Regulation of market surveillance and approval of L-category vehicles adopted by EC on 4 October 2010 and currently scrutinized by the legislators (Council of Ministers and EU Parliament). Concerning sound requirements, GRB noted that EU was ready to start accession process to UN Regulation No. 41 for for L category. Furthermore, EU would apply UN Regulation Nos. 9 and 63 once they were aligned to UN Regulation No. 41.

18. Accordingly, the expert from IMMA introduced GRB-55-02 and GRB-55-03 amending respectively UN Regulation Nos. 9 and 63 proposing new requirements for improved noise control of motorcycles and anti-tampering measures (aligning to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 41). He added that provisions for hybrid and electric vehicles would be included in a second phase of revising the two UN Regulations. The expert from Italy supported the proposals.

19. GRB agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session in September 2012. For this purpose the expert from IMMA was invited to resubmit to the secretariat in due time GRB-55-02 and GRB-55-03 in the new format for documents that was mandatory since 1 July 2010 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1085, paras. 9 and 18). Moreover, the Chair invited the expert from EC to prepare a proposal introducing anti-tampering requirements into UN Regulation No. 92.

GRB-55-02 | Proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 9 This revised proposal of UN R9 from the IMMA contains the assimilation of the original regulations and their amendments and updates to take into consideration the revision of the test methods in UN R41.

GRB-55-03 | Proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 63 This revised proposal of UN R63 from the IMMA contains the assimilation of the original regulations and their amendments and updates to take into consideration the revision of the test methods in UN R41.

GRB-55-15 | New EU Regulation for the approval of 2-3 wheel vehicles and UNECE Regulations on sound level Overview of European Commission program to rework the regulatory environmental and safety framework for L-category vehicles.

20. The expert from Japan introduced GRB-55-13, showing the schedule of introduction in his country of new requirements for improved noise control of vehicles and motorcycles. GRB agreed to resume consideration on this matter at its next session and expected to receive information on similar initiatives in progress in other countries.

GRB-55-13 | Current Status of Noise Regulation Review in Japan Japanese Ministry of the Environment presentation concerning the status of work on new motorcycle noise and tire rolling noise regulations.

21. GRB noted that no new information had been given under this agenda item.

22. Referring to the discussion (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1093, para. 140) held during the November 2011 session of the Executive Committee of the 1998 Agreement (AC.3), the expert from the United States of America introduced the terms of reference (ToR) of the revised mandate of the informal working group on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) (GRB-55-12-Rev.1). He indicated that his country and Japan had volunteered to ensure the technical sponsorship, with the United States of America chairing the informal working group under GRB. He also informed GRB that the EU was also invited to co-sponsor the UN Global Technical Regulation (UN GTR). Some experts suggested that the terms of reference of the informal working group should have open the possibility to include broad technology solutions if they would be available in the future. Finally, GRB agreed with the Chair’s suggestion that the ToR of the informal working group would cover only GRB expertise and that only AC.3 would eventually revise its mandate. GRB adopted the ToR, as reproduced in Annex II to this report. The GRB Chair expressed his intention to seek the consent of WP.29 and AC.3 at their March 2012 sessions.

GRB-55-12 | Proposed terms of reference for QRTV GTR informal group Objectives for the proposed working group to develop a global regulation for "quiet road transport vehicles". In principle, the GTR would prescribe acoustic measures(audible vehicle alert systems or AVAS) for moving vehicles in electric mode to signal their presence.

GRB-55-12/Rev.1 | Revised proposal for terms of reference for the QRTV GTR informal group Revised version of the scope, objectives, and procedures for the proposed working group on global noise standards for hybrid, electric, and similar "quiet vehicles".

23. The Chair of the informal working group on QRTV reported on the conclusions of the last meeting of the informal working group held in Geneva on 6-7 February 2012 and announced that his group’s mandate expired. He introduced the final report of the informal working group including the findings and recommendations with regard to the future development of a UN GTR that would specify the applicability and performance of an Audible Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). He underlined how audibility requires, inter alia, an alerting signal that contains frequencies different from those of most common ambient noise in order to avoid masking effects. In fact, he added that audibility of QRTV for visually impaired people was critical even in a quiet environment. GRB experts noted some comments. GRB agreed on some amendments to the report of the informal working group that were introduced in its final version (GRB-55-14).

24. GRB agreed to resume discussion of this agenda item at its September 2012 session, and requested the secretariat to distribute GRB-55-14 with an official symbol, awaiting the outcome of the informal working group on QRTV.

GRB-55-14 | Draft Recommendations for a GTR on Audible Vehicle Alerting Systems Draft recommendations of the Informal Working Group on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) concerning the viability of "quiet vehicle" audible acoustic alerting systems, their acoustic parameters and the prospects for a harmonized global technical regulation.

GRB-57-12 | UN Regulation No. 63: Acronyms and Abbreviations IMMA contribution towards the World Forum project to codify and harmonize technical terms and abbreviations used across its regulations.

GRB-57-18 | Proposal for a list of Acronyms and Abbreviations to Regulation No. 51 List of acronyms and abbreviations contained in Regulation No. 51 prepared by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA).

25. It was agreed to defer discussion on this subject to its next session. In the meantime the expert from OICA confirmed her intention to submit a proposal on this matter to the September 2012 session of GRB.

26. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRB-55-06 aimed at updating the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3). The expert from ISO offered cooperation to improve the proposal. GRB agreed to resume consideration at its September 2012 session and requested the secretariat to distribute GRB-55-06 with an official symbol.

GRB-55-06 | Proposal for amendments to R.E.3-Revision 2 Russia proposes changes to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) concerning specifications of category G for road tractors, formulation of requirements on noise; measurement of vehicle internal noise, and recommended permissible levels of vehicle internal noise.

27. GRB noted the discussion on this subject was held at the November 2011 session of WP.29 (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1093, para. 92) and that the fifth international environmentally friendly conference would be held in Baltimore (Maryland, United States of America) on 10-12 September 2012.

28. GRB was informed that the UN policy segment on Intelligent Transport Systems in the framework of the seventy-fourth Inland Transport Committee, will be held in Geneva on 28 February 2012 in the Palais des Nations, Geneva. GRB experts were to participate at the event.

29. In compliance with Rule 37 of the Rules of Procedure (TRANS/WP.29/690 and Amend.1), GRB elected its officer on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. S. Ficheux (France) was unanimously elected vice-Chair of GRB for the sessions scheduled in 2012.

30. Learning that Mr. K. Feith would no longer participate in future sessions of GRB, the group acknowledged his valuable contribution to the work of GRB and wished him all the best in his future activities.

31. The following provisional agenda was adopted for the fifty-sixth session of GRB, scheduled to be held in Geneva from 3 (starting at 2.30 p.m.) to 5 (concluding at 5.30 p.m.) September 2012:
1. Adoption of the agenda.
2. Regulation No. 41 (Noise of motorcycles): Development.
3. Regulation No. 51 (Noise of M and N categories of vehicles):
(a) Development;
(b) New limit values;
(c) Additional sound emission provisions.
4. Regulation No. 59 (Replacement silencing systems).
5. Regulation No. 92 (Replacement exhaust silencing systems for motorcycles).
6. Regulation No. 117 (Tyre rolling noise and wet grip adhesion).
7. Collective amendments:
(a) Regulation Nos. 41, 51 and 59;
(b) Regulation Nos. 9 and 63.
8. Exchange of information on national and international requirements on noise levels.
9. Influence of road surface on tyre rolling sound emissions.
10. Quiet Road Transport Vehicles.
11. Definitions and acronyms in Regulations under GRB responsibilities.
12. Proposal for amendments to Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles.
13. Environmentally Friendly Vehicles.
14. Other business.
15. Election of officer.