This status report documents the Tyre Abrasion Task Force’s progress toward finalizing a draft UN Regulation on tyre abrasion for C1 tyres, as presented to GRBP 83 Part II. The task force pursued three workstreams: data analysis to reduce method uncertainty and inversion risk, editorial improvements to increase clarity of the draft regulation, and development of a method equivalence solution. GRBP 83 Part I achieved consensus on limit values and introductory dates but could not reach consensus on equivalence procedures between convoy and drum methods. Six informal documents (GRBP-83-32-Rev.1, GRBP-83-48-Rev.1, GRBP-83-49, GRBP-83-50-Rev.1, GRBP-83-53, and GRBP-83-55) addressing equivalence methodology, drum specifications, and code of practice frequency were submitted for potential adoption at the extraordinary GRBP 83 Part II session.

JATMA submitted this position on the draft UN Regulation for tyre abrasion at GRBP-83-54. JATMA requests adoption of the indoor drum test method under conditions equivalent to the vehicle test method for type approval. JATMA proposes that the Generic transfer function coefficient should be 1.14, calculated excluding tyre code 127 which exhibits significant variation. JATMA also proposes that the abrasion index range for tyres used in the Annex 4 procedure should be set between 0.4 and 0.5, and that no restrictions should be imposed on baseline test facilities when applying the Specific Transfer Function.

Proposal to amend document GRBP-83-32-Rev.1 to renumber Paragraph 6.1. as 6.1.1., renumber current Paragraph 6.1.1. as 6.1.2., introduce new paragraph 1.4. to Annex 3 Introduction, amend paragraph 2.8. with detailed abrasion index and level calculation equations, renumber items in Appendix 2, delete item 1.3. from Appendix 2, and amend item 1.3. in Appendix 6 to clarify transfer function applicability between circuit and drum test facilities.

Proposal to amend GRBP-83-32-Rev.1 to ensure robust tyre abrasion measurements regardless of test method used. Amendments modify paragraph 6.1 to require test facilities demonstrate equivalence per Annex 4 procedure; insert paragraphs 12.8 and 12.9 deeming inter-facility campaign participants equivalent for C₁ tyres and allowing pre-regulation test data through 1 July 2028; insert Annex 3 paragraph 1.4 requiring inter-facility equivalence assessment; amend Annex 3 paragraph 2.8 with abrasion calculation equations including transfer function coefficient; insert test report items 1.1–1.4 in Appendices 2 and 6; and insert new Annex 4 establishing equivalence demonstration procedure for vehicle and indoor drum test facilities.

ETRTO comments on EC/JRC compromise proposal for Annex 4 tyre abrasion. ETRTO proposes an ALI range minimum of 0.5 as feasible and consistent with statistical distribution in MA results, rejecting the 0.7 range as unrealistic. For Generic Transfer Function gain, ETRTO recommends retaining a = 1.38 rather than the revised a = 1.45, to minimize rejection of good vehicle test results. ETRTO requests TFTA ToR amendment to confirm these conditions by February 2027 based on TA-45-9.

Proposal to amend document GRBP-83-32-Rev.1. Paragraph 1.2.9. amended to exclude special use Professional off-road tyres from scope. Paragraph 2.51. amended to read that the authority which has granted type approval may verify conformity control methods, with normal minimum frequency of verifications at least once every three years. Justification states special use tyres should be excluded as no limits will be established for them, and the three-year frequency aligns with Schedule 1 of the 1958 Agreement.

Proposal to amend Annex 5, part (B) of UN R117. Changes include replacing “Average Deceleration (AD)” with “braking force coefficient (BFC)” terminology throughout paragraphs 2.2.2.1., 2.2.2.7.1., 2.2.2.7.2., and 2.2.2.7.3. Paragraph 2.2.2.3. is amended to clarify terminology regarding vertical static test load and load capacity. Paragraph 2.2.2.7.4. is deleted. Paragraphs 2.2.2.7.5. through 2.2.2.8.4. are renumbered and amended to align the wet grip test method for C2 and C3 tyres with changes made to the passenger car test method and ISO 15222:2025.

Proposal to establish a list of test facilities deemed equivalent pursuant to paragraph 12.8 of the draft UN Regulation on tyre abrasion. The list recognizes six foundational facilities that participated in the initial inter-facility campaign to develop abrasion limits for C₁ tyres. The facilities are: DEKRA Test Center SA (France, circuit); IFV (Germany, circuit); Link Engineering Company GmbH (Germany, circuit); Bridgestone Corporation (Japan, indoor drum); Sumitomo Rubber Industries, LTD. (Japan, indoor drum); and The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (Japan, indoor drum). These facilities generated foundational data used to define abrasion limits and are deemed equivalent for equivalence procedures under Annex 4.

Proposal to supersede GRBP/2025/28, consolidating amendment proposals from GRBP/2025/28, GRBP-82-27, GRBP/2026/6, and GRBP-83-20-Rev.2. Changes include moving tyre abrasion provisions to a separate UN Regulation, deleting paragraphs 5.7 to 5.10 and Annex 10, updating ASTM standard references to F2872-25, F2871-25, and F3678-25, amending Annex 5 part (b) paragraph 1.1.1., and deleting paragraph 2.21. defining abrasion performance terms.

ETRTO presents its position on remaining open points for C₁ tyre abrasion limit settings, reminding positions from GRBP-82-24. Key points include: inclusion of two assessment methods; limit settings proposing approximately 23% market removal by Euro7 application timeline and additional 13.5% removal five years later; exclusion of C₁ special use tyres representing 0.7% of EU market; retention of 0.1 allowance for Extra Load tyres and tyres with nominal aspect ratio 40 suitable for speeds 300 km/h representing 7.2% of market. ETRTO views this as a challenging compromise package respecting political expectations and industry effort.

ETRTO presents a temporary conservative transfer function for tyre abrasion testing with a gain value of 1.5, designed to minimize drum inversion risk and reduce rejection risk while enabling coexistence of Indoor Drum Method and Outdoor Vehicle method at GRBP 83rd session. The transfer function, based on TA-40-2 data analysis, will be revised following a 2026 workplan before a more relevant solution in Supplement 1 to UNRxxx at GRBP 84th session.

Proposal to amend GRBP/2025/27 based on GRBP-83-32. Modifications to Annex 3 revise the abrasion index calculation methods for both vehicle test and indoor drum test methods. The abrasion margin (Amargin) is redefined in two stages accounting for evolution of measurement methods and tyre technology, with different values for normal, snow, and special use tyre categories. Amargin allowances for specific tyre groups, including severe snow conditions tyres, reinforced tyres, and tyres with nominal aspect ratio ≤40, are defined as cumulative additions to the base Amargin value.

Consolidation in Supplement 11 includes: clarification of Verification/Adjustment and editorial corrections with transitional provisions (GRBP/2025/20 with GRBP-82-07); correction of Tyre Road Sound Measurement for Indoor-Testing (GRBP-82-22); introduction of ASEP in Annex 7 for BEVs and HEVs (GRBP/2026/4 with GRBP-83-xx); update of ISO standards in Annex 3 and Annex 8 (GRBP/2026/5 with GRBP-83-xx); and reference for Power Definition regarding new UN R177 (GRBP/2026/13). The consolidated version of Supplement 11 is to be submitted to the 199th WP.29 in June.

ISO 362-3:2022 specifies an engineering method for measuring pass-by sound level of a vehicle under controlled indoor conditions using a semi-anechoic chamber. The 2022 edition incorporates technological advancements and improves usability and accuracy of the measurement procedure. Improvements include additional microphones, tire temperature correction harmonized with UN R51.03, clarified indoor room qualification criteria, and normalized torque influence equation. Transitional provisions propose accepting ISO 362-3:2022 for all approvals from entry into force of Supplement 11, while ISO 362-3:2016 remains accepted for five years thereafter.

ETRTO measurement uncertainties reduction efforts for UN R117 rolling sound emission test methods are progressing through outdoor and indoor Round Robin tests. Eight of thirteen outdoor test centres have completed tests for C₁ and C₂ tyres; remaining centres anticipate completion by mid-year. Indoors, two of six ETRTO test centres completed tests with others expected finished by mid-year. An intermediate report with available data will be presented in September 2026, full results postponed to February 2027, and the Working Document with test method evolution now expected in September 2027 instead of February 2027.

Proposal superseding GRBP/2026/7 to amend paragraph 1. of UN R75 to restructure the scope provision, clarifying that the Regulation applies to new pneumatic tyres designed primarily for vehicles of category L₁, and to exclude approvals for tyre types designed exclusively for “off road” use marked “NHS”, for competitions, and for bicycle rims according to ISO 5775-2:2021.

Proposal to amend Annex 3 of UN Regulation No. 51-02, paragraph 3.1.2.3.2.3, third paragraph, to require gear shifts beginning with (x/n) continue in all gears at which rated engine speed is reached immediately before the rear of the vehicle passes line BB’, rather than being completed in gear X only, based on WP.29-196-08 and WP.29-197-11 findings of non-compliance with permissible sound level requirements for category N₃G vehicles during state control testing.

Proposal to supersede document GRBP/2025/27 for a new UN Regulation on uniform provisions concerning the approval of tyres with regard to abrasion performance. The regulation establishes scope, definitions, application requirements, marking standards, approval procedures, and technical requirements for class C₁ tyres. It excludes temporary-use spare tyres, competition tyres, ice grip tyres, studded tyres, and certain other tyre categories. Type approval is granted if candidate tyres meet abrasion performance limits measured by one of two methods: vehicle testing on public open roads or indoor drum testing. Abrasion index limits are defined for normal, snow, and special use tyres, with adjustments for specific tyre groups. Requirements include conformity of production verification, penalties for non-conformity, and transitional provisions establishing Stage 1 and Stage 2 implementation timelines with specified dates for mandatory approval.

Proposal to amend paragraph 2.18. to update Standard Reference Test Tyre definitions to ASTM International standards: E1136-19 for SRTT14, F2493-24 for SRTT16, F2872-25 for SRTT16C, F2871-25 for SRTT19.5, F2870-23 for SRTT22.5, F3678-25 for SRTT19.5 siped, and F3677-23 for SRTT22.5 siped. Also amend paragraph 12.21. to accept existing type approvals and grant extensions to class C₃ tyres using either SRTT19.5 or SRTT22.5 before 1 September 2028, and use SRTT19.5 siped or SRTT22.

Proposal to supersede the text for a Supplement 22 presented in document GRBP/2026/8.

Proposal to supersede document GRBP/2026/4 intended to introduce a “default mode”, to specify requirements to be applied to the emission of Enhanced Exterior Sound (EES), with corresponding transitional provisions, and to draw a limit curve to introduce electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles that can be propelled without an internal combustion engine operating in the scope of ASEP (Annex 7).

Proposal to ensure robust tyre abrasion measurements regardless of the test method used.

The GOIE on Tyre Noise Level Alignment in UN R117 targets reducing dispersion of measurements for tyres of Class C1 and C2 and investigating possibility to develop a test method with an SRTT as reference. An intermediate report will be presented to GRBP in September 2026, with a Working Document proposing evolution of the test method by September 2027. Five meetings have been held with 13 test centres from France, Japan, Netherlands, Spain and ETRTO. Eight of thirteen test centres have completed tests on 15 C1 and 5 C2 Japanese market tyres, with completion targeted for mid-2026.