(a) Automated driving systems

13. The representative of Japan, Co-Chair of the IWG on ADS, informed WP.29 that GRVA had adopted the draft UN Global Technical Regulation and the draft UN Regulation on ADS, available as informal documents WP.29-198-07 and WP.29-198-09. He noted that the drafts still contained provisions in square brackets, which would be finalized by June 2026, when both regulations would be submitted for consideration and vote. He explained the specificities of the draft regulations, which rely more on the Safety Management System, the safety case, and in-service monitoring and reporting than on strict test methods and pass/fail criteria. He also presented the status reports of the IWG on ADS and the GRVA workshops on ADS (WP.29-198-08 and Add.1). WP.29 requested the secretariat to distribute all four documents with official symbols at its June 2026 session. The representative of the Netherlands (Kingdom of the), acting as ambassador between the IWG sessions and the workshop meetings, informed WP.29 of the progress made on developing the Guidance and Interpretation Document (GID).

14. The representatives of Canada, China, the European Union, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America expressed pride and congratulated GRVA on the outcome achieved. They underlined the importance of maintaining commitment to future work. The representative of OICA conveyed the industry’s satisfaction, highlighting how the outcome bridges the 1958 and 1998 Agreements and different certification regimes. He also stressed the need for further harmonization regarding the use of ADS technologies.

15. The representative of France presented the report of the expert groups on regulatory fitness for ADS (WP.29 198 17 and WP.29-198-18). The report provided an overview of 93 amendment proposals to existing regulations targeted for adoption in June 2026, some of which are still under review by WP.29 subsidiary bodies. He noted that minor editorial discrepancies may remain between GR documents and asked whether WP.29 wished the expert groups to submit informal documents to correct them. WP.29 agreed these would be submitted. He also shared views on activities beyond June 2026, explaining that the expert groups would generally be disbanded after that date, while leaving open the possibility of future work. WP.29 exchanged views on ADS marker lamps, EMC, and the review of L6 and L7 category related regulations. IMMA clarified that their members did not manufacture automated L6/L7 to date and therefore did not consider regulatory amendments to be urgent at this stage. Consequently, IMMA indicated that it would not be in a position to lead regulatory activities in this area but wished nevertheless to be consulted in the discussion.

(b) Informal working group on Artificial Intelligence

16. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Co-Chair of the IWG on AI, reported on the group’s activities since November 2025. He summarized the four sessions held, including one in Geneva during the 197th WP.29 week and another in Seoul (Republic of Korea). He listed the progress achieved and proposed revised terms of reference. The representative of the European Commission questioned whether the revised terms of reference would still effectively serve the needs of a number of contracting parties and whether more time was simply needed rather than having to process the revision of the terms of reference. The representatives of Canada, France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Norther Ireland, Sweden, and United States of America noted that a revision was justified given the ambitious initial one-year workplan, and they supported the compromise proposed by the IWG. The representative of Sweden also supported the new Terms of Reference, at the same time she pointed out that in the longer perspective, there is a need to clarify how type approval authorities and technical service should assess the use of AI. WP.29 adopted the revised terms of reference (see annex IV) and agreed to consider a mandate extension for the group in June 2026.

(c) Informal working group on Intelligent Transport Systems

17. The representative of Japan, Co Chair of the IWG on ITS, presented the group’s status report (WP.29-198-21). He explained that the most recent session of the Task Force of Vehicular Communication, held during the twenty-fourth GRVA week, focused on the safety benefits of vehicular communication for vulnerable road users. Responding to a question from the representative of the Netherlands (Kingdom of the), he clarified that the group did not aim to produce regulation at this stage, as the technology was still in the innovation phase. The representative of ITU estimated that regulatory activities could potentially begin in two or three years.

(d) On / Off Board Authorisation Systems

18. The representative of FIA presented a follow up status report on activities related to on-/off-board authorisation systems (WP.29-198-16). She explained that FIA had conducted further interviews in January and February 2026 with 11 Contracting Parties and four NGOs. She summarized the key findings and explained why these systems were relevant to WP.29, proposing possible next steps for consideration.

19. The representative of China appreciated the report on the FIA activities and encouraged WP.29 to take action in that field as it was a global challenge. The representative of the European Commission, acknowledging the value of the work on on-board authorisations, suggested that the activity be attached to the IWG on ITS, but also required that more elements be provided to support these activities. There was no discussion or support for this proposal by WP.29. The representative of the Russian Federation proposed to focus primarily on the on-board activities as they were in the remit of WP.29. The representative of Canada saw benefits in the FIA activities. While these activities might not be in the scope of WP.29, he encouraged FIA to promote their activities on their website and amongst their members. The representative of the United States of America invited FIA to further explain why this activity was important and how this topic would be different from what was already done under the GRVA IWG on Cyber Security and Software Updates.

20. The representative of Sweden agreed with the importance of the data being secure and added that access to data has to be balance against the interest of other stakeholders. She proposed consulting the GRs before deciding on further activities. Consumers International strongly supported the FIA initiative, stressing that consumers were generally unaware of vehicle data collection and highlighting concerns about transparency, consent, and data security. The United Kingdom called for a universal authentication approach. Luxembourg and CITA both supported the initiative, with Luxembourg emphasizing that access should be limited to appropriate persons.

21. WP.29 agreed to keep the item on the agenda and invited FIA to coordinate interested parties.