The 21st session of the Task Force on Vehicles Sound will be held on Tuesday 9th June 2026 from 13:00 to 17:00 (CEST) as a hybrid meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden. The agenda includes adoption of the agenda and report of the 20th session, exchange of information on national and international requirements with presentations on anoise figures in vehicle certificates of conformity versus perceived noise" and on “transportation noise and cardiovascular health”, cross-matrix follow-up discussion, discussion on updating the guidelines of the task force as approved in GRBP-74-03 Rev.1, any other business, and determination of next meeting and provisional agenda.

Over 130 million people are affected by transportation noise, an important risk factor for disease burden. Road traffic noise increases cardiovascular risk by approximately 3.2% per 10 dB increase and all-cause mortality risk by approximately 5.5%. The WHO road-noise guideline of 53 dB Lden may not be sufficiently protective, as mortality risk increases at lower noise levels. Night-time noise increases blood pressure and is associated with increased use of sleeping medication. Aircraft and road traffic noise can increase blood pressure, disturb its normal daily rhythm, and contribute to hypertension. Reducing residential noise exposure should become part of cardiovascular prevention.

Two presentations addressed road traffic noise: NEFOM presented findings on the gap between type-approval motorcycle noise levels and real-world noise exposure, noting that roadside measurements show motorcycles can generate noise approaching 100 dB(A) and that 20% of vehicles appeared tampered. A University Medical Center Mainz presentation highlighted scientific evidence that traffic noise contributes to cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, and sleep-related disorders affecting over 130 million Europeans. Discussion noted the importance of reducing night-time noise exposure and that stricter UN-R41-06 limits cannot yet be heard in the current fleet. The Cross Matrix topic was deferred to the next session.