The agenda includes review of proposals for amendments to R155 concerning multistage vehicles, separate technical units and component approval, approval-authority requirements for CSMS CoC and vehicle type approval, and remote operation for ADS; review of cyber and software requirements in the ADS Regulation based on WP.29/2022/60 as amended by WP.29/2023/87; discussion of RXWIN application amendments; and consideration of terms of reference renewal ahead of mandate expiration in November 2026.

The Informal Working Group on Cyber Security and Software Updates will continue to consider how cyber security and software updates have a bearing on automotive safety and security, and whether any changes are necessary to the Regulations and guidance it has produced under WP.29. In particular, the IWG shall maintain official documents regarding UN R155, UN R156, and Recommendations on uniform provisions concerning cyber security and software updates; develop amendments to relevant documents; develop a proposal to amend UN Regulations under the responsibility of GRVA to record details of an RXSWIN where applicable which have been mandated by the 01 series of UN Regulation No. 156; develop proposals to amend UN Regulation No. 155 and its interpretation document to support application in national/regional frameworks for aspects such as multi-stage manufacturing; consider and develop deliverables regarding software updates after registration potentially creating a proposal for modification to the type approval numbering or a classification of update categories; support and review the application of cyber security and software update provisions across GRs notably for the Global Technical Regulation on Automated Driving Systems; and provide opportunities to participants to share knowledge, experience and ideas from implementation of national regulation/standards regarding CS/OTA as well as UN R155 and R156. The IWG will continue its activities until November 2029.

Vehicles of categories M₁, N, O, R, S and T may fall out of scope of UN R155 or UN R156 if they lack ECUs or do not permit software updates. Approval authorities currently make individual determinations regarding whether vehicles are in or out of scope, and justification for out-of-scope decisions must be recorded to ensure vehicles remain out of scope during the lifetime of whole vehicle approval. UN Regulation No. 10 provides precedent by allowing approvals for vehicles where certain equipment is not relevant. A similar provision could be incorporated into UN R155 and UN R156 by amending the scope and adding provisions to section 5 allowing manufacturers to obtain approvals for vehicles that do not permit software updates, with requirements of paragraph 7 not applying.

The document clarifies two interpretation points regarding UN R156-01. First, software updates to registered vehicles require that an RXSWIN be assigned to every Regulation No. X type approval assessed during the update process, unless the manufacturer does not plan software updates for that particular system Regulation. Second, regarding para. 7.2.1.2.2., it is proposed to delete the requirement that software version changes be declared each time they are updated, since software versions are declared for each regulation subject to software updates following amendments to RE.3 Annex 7.

Proposal to insert provisions on software identification and software updates into UN R13, UN R13-H, UN R79, UN R89, UN R130, UN R131, UN R152, UN R156, UN R157, UN R171, UN R175, and UN R178 by adding definitions referencing Consolidated Resolution R.E.3 Annex 7, requiring manufacturers to provide Technical Services with information on hardware and software influencing performance, permitting vehicle manufacturers to apply for new approvals differentiating software versions for registered versus new vehicles, clarifying that production discontinuation does not apply when manufacturers seek approval extensions for software updates of registered vehicles, and amending communication forms to include software identification numbers and related information.

The UN IWG on Cyber Security and OTA held its 38th session 29 June–1 July 2026 in London with remote participation. The group adopted the provisional agenda and minutes from the 37th session. Three items from the IWG were presented at the May GRVA meeting: multistage vehicle documents to become working documents for September; RXWIN documents with elements in square brackets to be resolved; and SUMs document returned for further discussion. For R155, the group agreed to forward multistage amendment proposals as working documents to September GRVA. The UK proposal on STU and component approval for R155 was discussed extensively; the UK will draft a proposal for components only. The UK proposal on remote operation for ADS requires further development. The group will review ADS GTR cyber and software provisions. RXWIN proposal documents were adapted; R155 was removed and R89 and R156 sections amended; reviewers may address concerns by 31 July 2026. Germany’s proposal requiring the same Type-Approval Authority for CSMS and vehicle type approval was discussed; a dedicated meeting will be scheduled. The UK proposal on approvals for out-of-scope vehicle types was introduced. Draft Terms of Reference were revised and will be forwarded to GRVA for September approval. The next meeting is scheduled for 3 September 2026, 12:00–15:00 CET.