92. The representative of the United Kingdom, Chair of the IWG on the Tyre GTR, informed AC.3 that the draft proposal ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2013/63 was not recommended for vote at this session because GRRF at its September 2013 session had not resolved the pending issues. He expressed his disappointment that it had not been possible to resolve these detailed points but remained optimistic that the GRRF session in February 2014 would finalise the GTR. He therefore, proposed to extend the mandate of IWG until June 2014. The representative of the United States of America clarified that some necessary research in his country had not be concluded on time and therefore supported the proposal to extend the mandate. AC.3 gave its consent for the extension of the mandate.

[US government shutdown delayed research on the proposed wet grip test procedures necessary before the United States can commit to the new GTR. As a result, US position should only be ready in time for discussion and finalization of draft GTR within GRRF in February 2014. This time-line suggests a vote on the GTR at the June 2014 WP.29 session.]</