Proposal to suppress the loading restriction to 85% of vehicle payload, allow several propulsion energy converters, allow mixing different transmission architectures, include circuit abrasion level measurement possibilities for snow tyres not measuring Severe Snow Tyres, and establish new circuit abrasion level limits based on 17 circuits in the 2026 Confirmation plan. ETRTO is testing acceleration correction, fully loaded vehicles, different energy converters and transmission architectures, alignment specifications for various vehicle types, and load distribution management to reduce test uncertainties and improve method efficiency. An informal document will be proposed in January 2027.

Update proposal for UN R186 to modify load distribution in para. 1.6.2 to apply only to C₁ tyres and add minimal ballast requirement for C₂ tyres, update temperature ranges in para. 1.10.4 for normal and snow tyres, and develop alignment prescriptions for C₂ tyres. The proposal describes a test concept using convoys of up to 4 vehicles with single tyres up to 3.5T GVW under controlled driving conditions to determine tyre abrasion level index. SRTT usage strategy and market assessment to be finalized following temperature testing results.

Proposal to amend para. 8.2. to specify that conformity control methods should take into consideration production volumes of the type of tyre at each manufacturing facility with a normal minimum frequency of at least once every two years, and add para. 8.3.3. to establish a minimum frequency of verification tests once every three years, aligning with Schedule 1 of the 1958 Agreement.

Status report on the Tyre Abrasion Drafting Group’s progress across sessions 14–16 in 2026. Work includes proposed editorial amendments to UN R186 covering removal of special use tyre references, alignment of symbols between vehicle and drum test methods in Annex 3, updates to ASTM standard references, clarification of introductory provisions, reordering of vehicle requirement paragraphs, splitting of vehicle and circuit requirement paragraphs, updates to test load definition, reworded alternative test program description, removal and correction of duplicate drum control system requirements, and sandpaper surface replacement provisions. Circuit and drum abrasion level ranges require further review by the Task Force on Tyre Abrasion.

Review of UN R186 for opportunities to improve wording.

Proposal to modify the equivalence procedure for tyre test facilities to include circuits meant for severe snow tyres and snow tyres not classified as severe snow tyres, revise the selection criteria for exercise tyres to require an ALI range of at least 0.40 units with approximately even distribution and a specified ratio of normal tyres to snow tyres, and restrict equivalence of facilities designed for testing only normal tyres or specific snow tyre categories to the corresponding tyre category.

Study evaluating the validity of the current recommendation in Annex 3 Appendix 5 for sandpaper surface replacement interval based on running distance by examining test results exceeding 20,000 km. Testing nine consecutive runs on #80 grit sandpaper without replacement over 45,000 km total distance using new tyres for each run. Surface roughness measured by MPD and micro roughness showed no significant change and satisfied requirements in Paragraph 2.4.2.3. SRTT17S abrasion level remained above specification limits. Reproducibility of Abrasion Index was maintained when compared with Market Assessment results. Proposes extending replacement interval from 20,000 km to 30,000 km for 2-position drums and from 40,000 km to 60,000 km for 1-position drums.