1. The Working Party on Noise (GRB) held its fifty-ninth session from 28 (afternoon) to 30 (morning) January 2013 in Geneva. The meeting was chaired by Mr. S. Ficheux (France). Experts from the following countries participated in the work following Rule 1(a) of the Rules of Procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) (TRANS/WP.29/690, Amend.1 and Amend.2): Belgium; China; France; Germany; Hungary; India; Italy; Japan; Latvia; Netherlands; Norway; Russian Federation; Serbia; South Africa; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Experts from the European Commission (EC) participated. Experts from the following non-governmental organizations also participated: European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO); International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA); International Organization for Standardization (ISO); International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) and World Blind Union (WBU).

2. GRB considered and adopted the agenda (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2014/1 and Corr.1) proposed for the fifty-ninth session with the new agenda items 16(a) “Regulation No. 28 (Audible warning devices)”, 16(b)“Exchange of views for the future programme of work of GRB” and 16© “Provisional agenda for the sixtieth session”.

3. GRB resumed consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/5, tabled by the expert from the Russian Federation. The expert from IMMA stated that, although he supports the objective of correct usage of the terms “noise” and “sound” as well as clarifications in terminology related to noise reduction systems, IMMA wishes to avoid confusion with different application of these terms in UN Regulations Nos. 9, 41, 63 and 92, if the proposed amendments were approved. He added that in regards to the proposed reference in the type approval documentation to the type of catalyst, he was awaiting from the Russian experts the evidence in test results showing the influence of the catalyst type on the level of noise of L category vehicles.

4. The expert from the Russian Federation referred to his informal discussion with IMMA, where it was concluded that it would be more appropriate to introduce the amendments similar to those presented in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/5 together in all UN Regulations related to noise of L category vehicles and to incorporate such amendments together with other proposals which are expected to be prepared following the development of the relevant legislation of the European Union. Taking this into account, the expert from the Russian Federation withdrew ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/5 for the time being, bearing in mind the introduction of similar proposals into all UN Regulations related to L category vehicle noise in the future.

GRB/2012/5 | Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No. 41 Proposal from the Russian Federation to provide harmonized definitions for the terms "noise" and "sound" and also for a revised structure for introducing the provisions.

5. GRB resumed discussion on the issue of transitional provisions, as contained in GRB-58-11-Rev.1, aligning the earlier adopted draft Supplement 1 to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 41 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/57, Annex II) to the General Guidelines for UN Regulatory Procedures and Transitional Provisions in UN Regulations (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1044/Rev.1). GRB agreed to wait for the revision of the 1958 Agreement which would also introduce new rules for transitional provisions. Meanwhile, GRB agreed to keep this issue as a reference in its agenda for the future sessions.

GRB-58-11/Rev.1 | Revised secretariat comments on proposal for Supplement 1 to the 04 series of amendments to UN R41 Revised comments by the GRB secretariat concerning the IMMA proposal (document GRB-58-01) to permit the granting of certificates to the previous series of amendments through December 2013 rather than up to the date of the entry into force of the 04 series of amendments of UN R41.

6. The Chair of GRB proposed to transform the expert group on UN Regulation No. 51 into an informal working group (IWG) by preparing and adopting its Terms of Reference (ToR) which should focus on harmonizing the current proposal of 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51 with the provisions of the proposal of the Parliament and the Council of EU¹, as well as including additional aspects concerning the Chinese and Japanese markets. To this end, a working document would be drafted by the IWG for consideration by GRB at its sixtieth session. The IWG should also address additional amendments by preparing an informal document for consideration by GRB at its sixtieth or sixty-first sessions. The experts from France, Germany, Netherlands and EC supported this initiative. It was suggested that ToR should also cover UN Regulation No. 59 (Replacement silencing systems). The experts from France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, EC, CLEPA, ETRTO and OICA announced their intention to participate to the work of the IWG. Finally, based on a draft prepared by the Expert Group, GRB adopted the ToR (GRB-59-10-Rev.1), of the IWG on UN Regulation No. 51 and UN Regulation No. 59, as reproduced in Annex II to this report, subject to WP.29 consent.

¹The “Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles” (2011/0409 (COD)) and related documents are available on the EC Enterprise web site: Reference documents – Legislative proposals: Sound level of motor vehicles. However, the last revision of this document was still in process as of this GRB session and not yet available to the public.

GRB-59-10/Rev.1 | Terms of Reference: GRB Informal Working Group (IWG) on UN R51 and UN R59 (revised) Revised mandate (with changes marked up) as approved by the GRB at its January 2014 session for the informal working group established to finalize revisions to UN Regulation No. 51 and UN Regulation No. 59 with a view towards their alignment with the latest European Union decision concerning noise emissions from vehicles having at least four wheels.

7. The expert from EC informed GRB about the work progress of the EU regulation on the noise emission and introduced a revised proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 submitted by the GRB Expert Group on UN Regulation 51 (GRB-59-04-Rev.1). He clarified that the proposal was based on GRB-58-17-Rev.1, outcome of the GRB expert group meeting and on the latest update of the EU regulation. He clarified that one of the major modifications introduced was the deletion of Annex 11 on the Audible Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) which should become part of the UN GTR on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) and come into force in due course. The experts from EC and OICA pointed out the difficulties in aligning the texts of the draft EU regulation on the noise emission and UN Regulation No. 51, due to different definitions and legal languages used.

8. The experts from Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, EC, ETRTO, OICA as well as the Chair addressed the issue whether or not to delete the footnote after the table with sound level limits in paragraph 6.2.2.1. of GRB-59-04-Rev.1 which refers to the last column “Phase 3” and reads as follows: “To be reviewed and confirmed or modified at the latest one year after entry”. GRB noted that this provision corresponds to Article 7 of the draft EU regulation on the noise emission and aims to review the appropriateness of the noise limits in the future. However, the legal implications of the footnote seemed unclear. GRB invited the expert from EC to clarify this issue with the EU legal services. In the meantime, GRB agreed to put the footnote in square brackets and resume consideration at a later stage. GRB also extensively discussed the wording of paragraph 6.2.2.1 (sound limit values and categories of vehicles) introducing exceptions for limit values applicable to certain categories of vehicles.

GRB-58-17/Rev.1 | Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51: Revised Amendments agreed to document GRB-58-04 during the 58th session of GRB.

GRB-59-04/Rev.1 | Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 (revised) Text prepared by the GRB Expert Group on Regulation 51 and revised during the GRB-59 session consolidating the proposed 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No 51 developed during the informal group's fourth meeting in Brussels on July 4 plus additions from November 8. This version removes references to “acoustic vehicle alerting systems” (AVAS)

9. GRB resumed consideration of the limit values for certain vehicle categories on the basis of a presentation by the expert from Japan (GRB-59-09) on flat front light vehicles of category N₁. The experts from France, Germany, Italy and OICA supported GRB-59-09. The expert from EC stated that a common EU position on this issue, as well as on M₃ buses, was expected at the beginning of 2014.

10. Thus, GRB recalled GRB-58-08, GRB-58-09 and GRB-58-10 tabled by the expert from China in which he suggested higher limit values for vehicles of a specific category on the Chinese market. Referring to the above proposal by Japan, GRB invited the expert from China to explain and further justify his proposal in a similar way, possibly at the next sessions of the IWG on UN Regulation No. 51 and UN Regulation No. 59 in March and May 2014. GRB agreed to refer GRB-59-04-Rev.1 to the IWG incorporating all the changes agreed during the session, including GRB-59-09. GRB also agreed to resume discussion on the 03 series of amendments at its September 2014 session on the basis of an official proposal submitted by the IWG.

GRB-58-08 | Comments on Japanese noise-limit value suggestion of commercial vehicles China comments on Japanese proposal concerning vehicle categories and noise-limit values.

GRB-58-09 | Noise limit values in draft Chinese regulation GB 1495 and UN R51 values

GRB-58-10 | Noise-limit values and Chinese vehicle categories Discussion paper towards defining vehicle subcategories capable of addressing range of vehicles found in Chinese market, including high‐performance coupes, sports cars, saloon cars, SUV, MPV, Kei‐cars, Kei‐trucks, mini‐buses, mini‐trucks and so on.

GRB-59-04/Rev.1 | Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 (revised) Text prepared by the GRB Expert Group on Regulation 51 and revised during the GRB-59 session consolidating the proposed 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No 51 developed during the informal group's fourth meeting in Brussels on July 4 plus additions from November 8. This version removes references to “acoustic vehicle alerting systems” (AVAS)

GRB-59-09 | Japan proposal for Flat Front Light N1 Vehicle Presentation in support of the proposal for additional vehicle categories and sound emission level requirements under UN R51. A "Flat Front Light N1 Vehicle" is defined as: <ul><li>GVM ≤ 2.5 ton</li><li>PMR (power to mass ratio) of GVM ≤ 35kW/t</li><li>Engine capacity ≤ 660cc</li><li>d value<1,100mm</li></ul>. Japan believes higher noise thresholds are warranted for these mini-trucks.

11. GRB adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2014/2, not amended, tabled by the expert from OICA to update the requirements on the noise test track from ISO 19844:1994 (i.e. Annex 8 of this Regulation) to ISO 10844:2011, as well as to incorporate transitional provisions to allow repaving of existing, non-complying test tracks with the ISO 10844:2011 standards. The secretariat was requested to submit ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2014/2 to WP.29 and the Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1), for consideration and vote at their June 2014 sessions as draft Supplement 10 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51.

GRB/2014/2 | Proposal for Supplement 10 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 Proposal from the International Organization of Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) to update requirements for the noise test track from ISO 19844:1994 (i.e. Annex 8 of this Regulation) to ISO 10844:2011 and to allow for repaving of existing, non-compliant test tracks to meet the ISO 10844:2011 standards.

12. GRB resumed discussions on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/4 and GRB-57-13 proposing amendments to improve the test method of the 02 series of amendments to the UN Regulation, as well as an amendment to the acceleration test value proposed by the expert from China in GRB-58-07. GRB noted that the Chinese concerns had been taken into account by ISO Working Group 42 when revising Standard ISO 362-1:2007, referred in the current test method of the UN Regulation. The expert from China withdrew ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/4, GRB-57-13 and GRB-58-07 and announced a possible future proposal as a result of further exchange of views with ISO.

GRB-57-13 | Proposal of amendments to document GRB/2013/4 Proposal of two options for inserting provisions on tire dimensions into the amendment proposed in document GRB/2013/4 to revise the Annex 3 test procedures and interpretation of resulting data.

GRB/2013/4 | Proposal for Supplement 9 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 Proposed revisions to the Annex 3 test procedures and interpretation of resulting data. This is based upon informal document GRB-56-06.

13. GRB noted that this agenda item was de facto covered in the framework of the discussion under agenda item 3(a). Thus, GRB agreed that, for its next session, agenda items 3(a) and 3 (b) should be combined and mention as references only GRB-59-04-Rev.1 and GRB-59-10-Rev.1. Finally, GRB agreed to remove ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2012/7, GRB-58-08, GRB-58-09, GRB-58-10, GRB-58-14 and GRB-58-17-Rev.1 from the agenda of the next session.

GRB-58-08 | Comments on Japanese noise-limit value suggestion of commercial vehicles China comments on Japanese proposal concerning vehicle categories and noise-limit values.

GRB-58-09 | Noise limit values in draft Chinese regulation GB 1495 and UN R51 values

GRB-58-10 | Noise-limit values and Chinese vehicle categories Discussion paper towards defining vehicle subcategories capable of addressing range of vehicles found in Chinese market, including high‐performance coupes, sports cars, saloon cars, SUV, MPV, Kei‐cars, Kei‐trucks, mini‐buses, mini‐trucks and so on.

GRB-58-14 | Categorization of Light N1 Vehicles Presentation in support of document GRB-58-06 proposing amendments to UN R51 with regard to the categorization of flat-front light (kei) commercial vehicles.

GRB-58-17/Rev.1 | Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51: Revised Amendments agreed to document GRB-58-04 during the 58th session of GRB.

GRB-59-04/Rev.1 | Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 (revised) Text prepared by the GRB Expert Group on Regulation 51 and revised during the GRB-59 session consolidating the proposed 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No 51 developed during the informal group's fourth meeting in Brussels on July 4 plus additions from November 8. This version removes references to “acoustic vehicle alerting systems” (AVAS)

GRB-59-10/Rev.1 | Terms of Reference: GRB Informal Working Group (IWG) on UN R51 and UN R59 (revised) Revised mandate (with changes marked up) as approved by the GRB at its January 2014 session for the informal working group established to finalize revisions to UN Regulation No. 51 and UN Regulation No. 59 with a view towards their alignment with the latest European Union decision concerning noise emissions from vehicles having at least four wheels.

GRB/2012/7 | Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 Proposal based on Informal document GRB-54-03 submitted by the expert from Germany and on Informal document GRB-55-01 submitted by the expert from Japan, including limit values with some modification of threshold of subcategories, which could be the basis of a common position.

14. GRB recalled its intention to review the Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) and to refine the purpose of the new noise limit values (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/52, paras. 8–9). As no new information had been given under this agenda item, GRB agreed to keep it on the agenda for the next session.

15. In the absence of the expert from CLEPA, GRB agreed to defer discussion on this subject to its September 2014 session and to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/8 and GRB-58-05 as references in the agenda of the next meeting, awaiting the outcome of discussion of the IWG on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59.

GRB-58-05 | Draft proposal of amendments to Regulation No. 59 Proposal pursuant to GRB discussions (55th session, para. 12) and document GRB/2013/8 to insert the amendments concerning the ASEP provisions as soon as Regulation No. 51 has been accordingly amended (in line with the draft proposal (Reference 2011/XXXX (COD)) of the European Commission “Proposal of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles and of their exhaust systems”).

GRB/2013/8 | Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 59 Text prepared by the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) to introduce Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) into the UN R59.

16. No new information was given under this agenda item.

17. The experts from France, the Russian Federation and ERTRO informed GRB (GRB-59-07 and GRB-59-08) about the outcome of their ad hoc meeting on testing the “Deceleration Calculator” software proposed by the Russian Federation for the deceleration test method using the dω/dt form for measuring rolling resistance. GRB noted that the ad hoc meeting had been hosted by the Technical Union for the Automobile, Motorcycle and Cycle Industries (UTAC), and generally included both theoretical justification of the method and its experimental assessment by determining rolling resistance of a sample tyre of class C1 using two test machines of different types. GRB also noted that the obtained data, its processing and statistical assessment had demonstrated good adaptability of the software to the tyre test machines and satisfactory reproducibility of deceleration data. Moreover, the algorithm of the “Deceleration Calculator” practically provides independence of the measured deceleration from the test speed range in span from 4 to 20 km/h.

18. Therefore the expert from the Russian Federation proposed GRB-59-02 superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/10, as an alternative for measurements and data processing for deceleration value obtaining in differential form dω/dt.

19. GRB agreed in principle with the proposed method. However, given the late availability of GRB-59-02, GRB suggested that this document, accompanied by other supporting materials (GRB-59-07 and GRB-59-08), be first submitted to the forthcoming February 2014 session of GRRF for discussion and then, together with GRRF comments, transmitted as an official document to the next GRB session in September 2014 for final consideration. In the meantime, it was noted that results of testing tyres of commercial vehicles (classes C2 and C3) could also become available for that session of GRB. Finally, GRB invited experts to provide comments, if any, to the secretariat before the next GRB session.

GRB-59-02 | Proposal for Supplement 5 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 117 The Russian Federation has developed a "Deceleration Calculator" for use in the UN R117 procedures. Following work by an ad hoc group (including NAMI, UTAC, and ETRTO) formed to review and validate this tool, Russia has prepared this new proposal, modifying the version (document GRB/2013/10) submitted at the last GRB session. The changes primarily concern the explanation of the tool rather than the basic mathematical equations.

GRB-59-07 | Method of Deceleration Measuring and Data Processing for Tyre Rolling Resistance Determination Testing and Evaluation of the variant method using the dω/dt form.

GRB-59-08 | Method of Deceleration Measuring and Data Processing for Tyre Rolling Resistance Determination Report of the ad‐hoc working group organized in accordance with the recommendation of the 58th GRB session to consider testing and evaluation of the variant method using the dω/dt form proposed by Russia.

20. The expert from ERTRO introduced GRB-59-03 containing a revised proposal for new time measurement accuracy for instrumentation involved in the rolling resistance method, with the aim to correct inconsistencies in Annex 6 to the UN Regulation. The proposal text was also supported by the experts from the Russian Federation. The expert from Japan raised a study reservation to verify the consequences of the change of accuracy. The expert of the European Commission raised similar concerns and stated that he would need first to discuss this matter with ERTRO on a bilateral basis. GRB agreed to resume consideration on this subject at its September 2014 session and requested the secretariat to distribute GRB-59-03 with an official symbol

GRB-59-03 | Proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 117 Regulation 117, Annex 6 specifies several time duration values while Annex 6, Appendix 1 gives only one control accuracy value for time in its paragraph 4 (d): plus or minus 0.02 second. This means that this accuracy value applies to all the time durations specified in Regulation 117, Annex 6 and quoted above. This is not realistic for durations of more than one minute and not well fitted to the need of data acquisition for deceleration method. Therefore, Russia and ETRTO propose to introduce two accuracy sets of values in paragraphs 4 and 5 of Regulation 117, Annex 6, Appendix 1:<ol><li>a control accuracy of +/- 0.2 % s and a corresponding instrumentation accuracy of +/- 0.1 % s for the time increments specified in Annex 6 paragraph 3.5.a for the data acquisition in the deceleration method, both in ∆ω/∆t or dω/dt form, and</li><li>a control accuracy of +/- 5% and an instrumentation accuracy of maximum +/-10 sec for the other time durations specified in Annex 6.</li></ul>

21. The expert from EC informed GRB that EU intended to apply to these Regulations, but would need additional research, in particular with regard to tampering of silencers. To this end, a study would be launched before the next session of GRB in September 2014. Pending EU contributions, GRB decided to keep this issue on the agenda. The expert of IMMA made note that anti-tampering provisions were already introduced in the last amendments of these UN Regulations. Finally, GRB agreed to change the title of this agenda item to “additional provisions”, to distinguish it from agenda item 3© and to resume discussion on this subject at its September session on the basis of new information provided by the expert from EC.

22. GRB agreed to delete this item to the agenda of its next session [and/or] until a new proposal by the expert from OICA was submitted.

GRB-57-16 | Proposal for amendments to Regulations Nos. 28, 51, 59 and 117 Text prepared by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) in order to introduce the concept of “revision of approvals” in the regulations under GRB responsibility.

23. GRB noted that no new information had been given under this agenda item.

24. GRB welcomed a presentation by the expert from the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF, Norway) outlining the first results of a study concerning the
influence of the road surface on tyre rolling sound emission. The expert from SINTEF clarified that the main objective of the project was to investigate the noise performance of normal passenger car tyres on typical road surfaces in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) and to clarify which combinations of road surfaces and tyres will yield the lowest tyre/road noise levels. GRB noted that the results of this investigation had demonstrated the variation in noise levels of tyres around 4 dB(A) and the same variation between average of road surfaces. It was also noted that the difference between the most noisy tyre on the most noisy surface and the most quiet tyre on the quietest road surface had been found to be 11 dB(A). Finally, the expert from SINTEF informed GRB that during 2014, the project would be extended to truck tyres.

GRB-59-05/Rev.1 | Influence of road surface on tyre rolling sound emissions (revised) Overview of the NordTyre Project to investigate the noise performance of passenger car tyres on typical road surfaces in Norway, Sweden and Denmark and to clarify which combinations of road surfaces and tyres yield the lowest tyre/road noise levels.

25. The expert from EC, secretary of IWG for QRTV, informed GRB about the outcome of its last meeting held in Tokyo (10 – 12 December 2013). He also announced that the next meetings of the IWG were scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 April as well as from 13 to 15 May, 2014 in Washington, D.C. He clarified that the IWG activities were focused on cleaning up the draft text of the UN GTR on QRTV as well as on addressing technical and policy issues. The expert from EC thus invited GRB experts from Contracting Parties to the 1998 Agreement to provide before April 2014 their comments on the various policy options, provided by a working paper of the IWG (AVAS conditions 27.01.14). GRB also noted the decision of the Executive Committee of the 1998 Agreement (AC.3) (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1106, para. 106) to extend the mandate of IWG until November 2015. Therefore, GRB expected to discuss a concrete proposal at its next sessions in September 2014 and January 2015.

26. The expert from WBU highlighted three key elements of AVAS, from the point of view of people with impaired vision: (i) alert sound should be of a sufficient volume and its composition (frequency, etc.) should allow for location and movement of the vehicle; (ii) the system should be active on stationary vehicles; and (iii) the driver should not be in a position to switch it off, as this safety feature should be active all the time. The expert from EC informed GRB that the EU Regulation on noise would require an automatic setting of AVAS and since this Regulation was at the latest stage of the co-decision process, this provision would hardly change. The Chair of GRB clarified that the pause-switch function would be part of the discussion of GRB. He added that the provisions of the UN GTR should conjugate the safety effectiveness of AVAS and the reduction of parasite noise. Finally, GRB agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its September 2014 session.

27. GRB resumed consideration of definitions and acronyms in UN Regulations and UN Global Technical Regulations under the responsibility of GRB on the basis of GRB-57-12 and GRB-57-18. The Chair of GRB stressed the importance of preparing a full and consistent list of acronyms and abbreviations with a view to avoiding any ambiguity in this area. It was agreed that this list covering both the 1958 and 1998 Agreements would then be submitted to WP.29 for approval and would be updated from time to time. GRB reiterated its invitation to all experts to provide their contributions, if any, so that the final document could be approved at the September 2014 session of GRB.

GRB-57-12 | UN Regulation No. 63: Acronyms and Abbreviations IMMA contribution towards the World Forum project to codify and harmonize technical terms and abbreviations used across its regulations.

GRB-57-18 | Proposal for a list of Acronyms and Abbreviations to Regulation No. 51 List of acronyms and abbreviations contained in Regulation No. 51 prepared by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA).

28. GRB considered document GRB-59-01 in which the secretariat proposed to correct the reference to Annex 3 of UN Regulation No. 41 in paragraph 8.8.2.1.2. of the Consolidated Resolution (R.E.3) as well as to draw the attention of the Working Party to the fact that the margin of 5 dB(A) defined in paragraph 8.8.2.2., in order to take into account the possible instrumental and measurement errors, substantially exceeds the respective margins of 1 or 3 dB(A) set out in Regulations No. 51, 41 and 63. The experts from France, Germany, Sweden, IMMA, ISO and OICA pointed out that the figure of 5 dB(A) in paragraph 8.8.2.2. takes into account the disturbances and scatter of measurements performed under real-life conditions, in uncertain acoustic environment (e.g. side of a road) and by untrained staff (e.g. road police), while the margin of 3 dB(A) is intended for laboratory conditions and trained staff. GRB decided to leave the figure of 5 dB(A) in paragraph 8.8.2.2. of R.E.3 unchanged.

GRB-59-01 | Possible amendments to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles Proposal by the WP.29 secretariat to consider amending the Consolidated Resolution to adhere with provisions of the UN Regulations concerning noise limits. Presently, the resolution (which provides a framework and general reference for UN Regulations) permits a 5 db(A) tolerance in measuring noise levels while the UN Regulations 51, 41 and 63 referred to in the resolution permit narrower margins of 1 db(A) or 3 db(A).

29. Finally, GRB considered ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/9 tabled by the expert from the Russian Federation. GRB agreed, as proposed by the expert from IMMA, to delete, in the new paragraph 8.8.2.1.2., the references to new categories of vehicles L 6 and L 7 which are not yet covered by UN Regulation No. 9. Finally, GRB adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2013/9, as amended by Annex III to this report. The secretariat was requested to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2014 session as draft Amendment 5 to R.E.3.

GRB/2013/9 | Proposal for Amendment 2 to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles Series of editorial corrections and clarifications to the resolution.

30. GRB noted the good progress made by the WP.29 IWVTA informal groups on the Revision of the 1958 Agreement (SG58) and on the development of UN Regulation No. 0 (SGR0) at their recent informal meetings held in Sendai (Japan) in January 2014. It was noted that SG58 considered the unresolved issues (kept in square brackets) of the draft Revision 3 to the 1958 Agreement (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2014/26) and had agreed on the final text. The final text of the draft Revision 3 to the 1958 Agreement will be submitted to WP.29 for consideration at its March 2014 session, on the basis of an informal document supplementing the official document.

31. SGR0 finalized a first draft of UN Regulation No. 0 on IWVTA, which will be presented at the forthcoming session of WP.29 in March 2014 as an informal document. GRB noted that UN Regulations Nos. 28, 51 (either in its current form or 03 series of amendments) and 117, would be included in IWVTA. Concerning the need to develop a new UN Regulation dedicated to tyre installation, GRB noted that this issue would be dealt with by GRRF. Finally, the Chair of GRB suggested that the following experts sponsor the above-mentioned UN Regulations in the IWVTA: (i) CLEPA (UN Regulation No. 28), (ii) OICA (UN Regulation No. 51) and (iii) ETRTO (UN Regulation No. 117).

GRB decided to delete this issue from the agenda.

33. The Secretary reported on the highlights of the 161st session of WP.29 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1106).

34. The expert from OICA introduced GRB-59-06-Rev.1 to update the test conditions and provisions of UN Regulation No. 28: (i) to allow the test of the audible warning devices on the vehicle with its engine warmed-up and at idle and (ii) to reduce the prescribed sound level from 93 to 90 dB(A). He justified the second point because this reduced level was audible far enough to instantaneously warn pedestrians and other road users, including drivers, as it was typically 20 dB to 40 dB higher compared to typical traffic noise and could also contribute to lowering the noise pollution. The experts from Italy and ISO supported this proposal. The expert from France underlined that the whole text should be revised to update the test methods and that the limit proposed by OICA should be discussed. GRB agreed to resume discussion on this issue and requested the secretariat to distribute GRB-59-06-Rev.1 with an official symbol at its September 2014 session.

GRB-59-06/Rev.1 | Proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 28 Proposal (revised from its earlier version) to allow horn sound level testing with the engine running and lower the sound pressure level requirement for light-duty vehicles from 93 dB (A) to 90 dB (A).

35. At Chair’s invitation, GRB had a brief exchange of views on issues which should be included in the future work of GRB. The expert from ISO pointed out that, to update the test methods set out in UN Regulations Nos. 41 and 51, the following ISO activities may be relevant: revisiting ISO 362-1:2007, development of part III of this standard with a specification how to perform tests in indoor facilities and updating the requirements on the noise test track from ISO 10844:1994 to ISO 10844:2011. The expert from France mentioned UN Regulation No. 51, ASEP, QRTV, ongoing technological improvements, indoor approvals, addressing sirens (ambulances, etc.) in UN Regulation No. 28, noise pollution caused by loading and unloading of deliveries in cities. The expert from the Netherlands presented a graph (GRB-59-11) showing a general improvement in tyre noise data for C1 tyres in 2007-2013 and informed GRB about his intention to bring similar graphs for C2 and C3 tyres for the attention of GRB at its next session, with the aim to study if the current noise limits for tyres can be further reduced. With support from the experts from EC and OICA, he also suggested studying the correspondence between the labelling system on tyres and their actual performance. The expert from Switzerland was of the opinion that noise pollution, its benchmarking and new technologies emerging on the market should be looked at. The expert from ERTRO proposed to address the issue of road surfaces, as the third main contributor to noise pollution after vehicles and tyres. However, the Chair and the expert from EC pointed out that this issue is very complex and it goes beyond the competence of GRB and type approvals. The expert of EC proposed to revisit the noise emission of agricultural vehicles and update the underlying test methods which had been developed 40 years ago.

GRB-59-11 | Tyre noise data: C1 tyres 175-245 mm width