82. The representative of the Russian Federation presented WP.29-190-21, providing evidence of the need for additional checks of complete vehicles during rollover tests within the framework of UN Regulation No. 66 (Strength of superstructure (buses)). He added that guidance was needed (WP.29-190-10) from the World Forum, since the proposal to GRSG asking for these additional checks had not been supported by the group (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/104 para. 16) in March 2023. The representatives from France and South Africa shared the concerns of the representative of the Russian Federation and encouraged the production of a revised proposal to the October session of GRSG. The Chair of WP.29, as well as Chair of GRSG, clarified that initial proposal tabled for the 125th session of GRSG had not been supported because of lack of consistency with the principle of mutual recognition of type approval of the 1958 Agreement. The World Forum invited the representative of the Russian Federation to submit an updated proposal, providing more consistency with the above-mentioned principles for the October 2023 session of GRSG.

The Russian Federation considers that additional checks of a complete vehicle during rollover tests should be provided within the framework of UN R66 as an option at the national/regional level and requests guidance on whether such flexibility is permissible.

82. The representative of the Russian Federation presented WP.29-190-21, providing evidence of the need for additional checks of complete vehicles during rollover tests within the framework of UN Regulation No. 66 (Strength of superstructure (buses)). He added that guidance was needed (WP.29-190-10) from the World Forum, since the proposal to GRSG asking for these additional checks had not been supported by the group (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/104 para. 16) in March 2023. The representatives from France and South Africa shared the concerns of the representative of the Russian Federation and encouraged the production of a revised proposal to the October session of GRSG. The Chair of WP.29, as well as Chair of GRSG, clarified that initial proposal tabled for the 125th session of GRSG had not been supported because of lack of consistency with the principle of mutual recognition of type approval of the 1958 Agreement. The World Forum invited the representative of the Russian Federation to submit an updated proposal, providing more consistency with the above-mentioned principles for the October 2023 session of GRSG.

Proposals:

• Para. 2.2.3.: Information related to construction materials is clarified.
• Para. 2.2.4.: Deleted, since its content is covered by paragraph 2.2.8. in the proposed wording.
• Para. 2.2.8.: The notion of the wheel geometric shape is clarified.
• Para. 2.9.: The notion of defects caused by the production process is clarified. Only in the Russian language it is clarified that the crack propagation is actually a length and a depth of the crack. The proposed text makes it possible to distinguish between a crack that occurred during testing and a scratch, which may be an acceptable manufacturing defect.
• Para. 3.1.2.13.: The technical description of the wheel is supplemented with information describing the product quality control in the production process.
• Para. 5.1.6. and Annex 3: The application of optional marking is aimed at providing the consumers with information on the quality control of the manufactured wheel, as well as facilitating the selection of wheels with the required characteristics by consumers in case of providing with incomplete information on suitable vehicle types in accordance with paragraph 1.2. of Annex 10.
• Annex 4, para. (а): The language of the provision is clarified.
• Annex 4, paras. (b) and (d): Deleted, since the existing experience of testing confirms that the mechanical properties of the raw materials are not comparable with the mechanical properties of finished products (wheels). In this regard, there is no need to test the raw materials.
• Annex 4, para. (с): The list of critical zones on wheels where to take the material to check its characteristics is clarified. These critical zones shall be specified by the manufacturer in the application documentation, and they can also be specified by the technical service. A description of the characteristics of the material taken from paragraph (b) is provided, since this paragraph is deleted. Only in the Russian language the terms concerning the measured values have been changed.
• Annex 4, para. (e): It is specified that the analysis of metallurgical defects is carried out in the most loaded spots of the wheels. These spots shall be specified by the manufacturer in the application documentation, and they can also be specified by the technical service. The analysis shall be carried out in comparison with the permissible defects specified by the manufacturer.
• Annex 6: A recommendation is added to identify cracks occurred as a result of the test by using penetrating paints.
• Annexes 7 and 8: The pressure drop in the tyre as a consequence of testing the wheel assembly with the tyre may not be due to damage to the wheel, but to damage to the tyre. To eliminate uncertainty in the interpretation of the test results, it is necessary to determine the cause of the tyre pressure drop. If the pressure drop in the tyre was caused by its damage, then it is necessary to carry out the tests again, using a new tyre.

26. GRSP considered GRSP-73-17, (superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/10) by the expert from the Netherlands, aimed at identifying HDV equipped with an electric drivetrain. He added that the proposal of additional labelling would help emergency services to determine how to approach these vehicles in case of a fire. The expert from Japan agreed in principle with the proposal. He also introduced GRSP-73-49 to supplement it with the labelling of hydrogen- and fuel-cell vehicles, consistent with UN Regulation No. 134. The expert from the United Kingdom questioned the proposed colours of the labelling, which could conflict with those required by the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and in national legislations. The expert from the Russian Federation presented GRSP-73-47 that introduced a proposal (GRSP-73-02) to extend the identification of vehicles to categories M and N with an electric drivetrain. He also informed GRSP that the lack of internet accessibility in numerous areas on the territory of his country would not allow viable solutions such as apps to identify electric vehicles. He added that for vehicles immersed in water (e.g. fallen from a bridge), quick response code reading (QR) would not be applicable. The expert from OICA, argued that buses already had numerous labelling and that electric vehicles with a labelling as such would come across as dangerous, creating excessive alarm for the public. The expert from the Netherland, clarified that passenger vehicles (M1) and light duty vehicles were not a priority for labels because they were covered by the Euro New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). He added that few HDV were electric-power trained, and needed to be identified for emergency services.

27. GRSP agreed to resume discussion at its December 2023 session and invited concerned parties to liaise with the expert from the Netherlands to develop a comprehensive proposal of all point views (including ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/10, GRSP-73-17 and GRSP-73-49). The expert from the Russian Federation withdrew GRSP-73-02 and announced a new proposal for the next session.

Proposal to facilitate identification of electric vehicles.

26. GRSP considered GRSP-73-17, (superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/10) by the expert from the Netherlands, aimed at identifying HDV equipped with an electric drivetrain. He added that the proposal of additional labelling would help emergency services to determine how to approach these vehicles in case of a fire. The expert from Japan agreed in principle with the proposal. He also introduced GRSP-73-49 to supplement it with the labelling of hydrogen- and fuel-cell vehicles, consistent with UN Regulation No. 134. The expert from the United Kingdom questioned the proposed colours of the labelling, which could conflict with those required by the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and in national legislations. The expert from the Russian Federation presented GRSP-73-47 that introduced a proposal (GRSP-73-02) to extend the identification of vehicles to categories M and N with an electric drivetrain. He also informed GRSP that the lack of internet accessibility in numerous areas on the territory of his country would not allow viable solutions such as apps to identify electric vehicles. He added that for vehicles immersed in water (e.g. fallen from a bridge), quick response code reading (QR) would not be applicable. The expert from OICA, argued that buses already had numerous labelling and that electric vehicles with a labelling as such would come across as dangerous, creating excessive alarm for the public. The expert from the Netherland, clarified that passenger vehicles (M1) and light duty vehicles were not a priority for labels because they were covered by the Euro New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). He added that few HDV were electric-power trained, and needed to be identified for emergency services.

27. GRSP agreed to resume discussion at its December 2023 session and invited concerned parties to liaise with the expert from the Netherlands to develop a comprehensive proposal of all point views (including ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/10, GRSP-73-17 and GRSP-73-49). The expert from the Russian Federation withdrew GRSP-73-02 and announced a new proposal for the next session.

Proposal to allow additional checks on passive safety at the national level when conducting tests of a complete vehicle (such as checking for damage to seat mounts, objects presenting injury risks in the residual space, and operability of hatches).

Proposal to allow additional checks in terms of passive safety on the national level (for example, destruction of seats mounts, injury-causing objects entering the residual space and moving within it, operability of the emergency hatches).

17. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRSG-124-28 on the assessment of escape hatch operability according to the national requirements of the contracting parties. The experts from Germany, Italy, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom expressed study reservations to understand the consequences of the proposal. GRSG agreed to resume discussion at its March 2023 session and requested the secretariat to distribute GRSG-124-28 with an official symbol at that session.

68. The Vice-Chair introduced GRPE-86-41 as his main takeaways from the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) workshop that took place earlier during the week. The representative from Japan introduced GRPE-86-17, the representative from the Russian Federation introduced GRPE-86-19, the representative from the US introduced GRPE-86-40 and the representative from CLEPA introduced GRPE-86-38 on their respective positions with respect to the inclusion of LCA in GRPE activities and the creation of a dedicated IWG to work on the topic.

69. The representative from the European Commission supported the creation of an IWG on LCA, highlighting that the conditions are not yet met to plan to deliver on a UN GTR. Finalization of ToRs, scope and timing of the activities would be considered during the first meeting of the IWG on LCA and introduced for adoption during the next session of GRPE.

70. The representative from the UK supported LCA to be considered by GRPE and to initiate an IWG on the topic. He highlighted the need to have a clear view on the aims, targets and objectives of the IWG. He also was not supportive of any regulatory deliverables at this stage, and that a mutual resolution, for example, could be drafted once a complete LCA picture has been finalized. He concluded that new expertise from outside of GRPE would be needed.

71. The representative from Sweden thanked Japan and the Republic of Korea for the initiative and supported the creation of a dedicated IWG. He also shared his view that regulatory provisions should not be aimed in a first step, and that the IWG should initially focus on information sharing and deliver a resolution.

72. The representative from Switzerland also supported the initiative as an essential activity for GRPE and showed his willingness to be involved. He also stressed on the importance of looking at air quality, water and soil LCA impacts on top of GHG which is the primary target of the IWG on LCA.

73. The Chair indicated that the draft ToRs, as shown in GRPE-86-18-Rev.1, would be discussed during the first meeting of the IWG on LCA and the next session of GRPE.

74. GRPE agreed to create a new IWG on LCA and to include LCA in the GRPE list of priorities.

75. The representative from Japan indicated that Japan would be happy to host the first IWG meeting expected in October 2022, thought a hybrid meeting configuration, with the support of the secretariat. He indicated the draft ToR would be discussed during the meeting. The secretariat offered its support to organize the first meeting of the IWG on LCA.

34. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRSG-123-29 on the results of the meeting held on 12 December 2021 of the Task Force to amend the UN Regulation. GRSG agreed to reconvene the Task Force chaired by the Russian Federation with the participation of interested parties to fine-tune the proposal ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2021/23 for amendments to UN Regulation No. 66, to be considered at its October 2022 session.

59. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRSG-122-41, Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 66 (Strength of superstructure (buses)).

60. The expert from OICA introduced document GRSG-122-02, which is a document containing comments from OICA to the updated proposal of the Russian Federation for an amendment to UN Regulation No. 66 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2021/23). The expert from OICA informed GRSG that there was no supplement to the 01 series of amendment and proposed a harmonized solution for GRSG to establish a taskforce.

61. The expert from France supported the proposal from the Russian Federation and stated they had similar views to that of OICA regarding their concerns on the series of amendment. The experts from the Netherlands and Belgium both agreed with France.

62. GRSG decided to establish a taskforce chaired by the Russian Federation and invited participation from interested parties to fine-tune the proposals for amendments made to UN Regulation No. 66.

Clarifies the verifications after the performance of the strength test.

59. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRSG-122-41, Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 66 (Strength of superstructure (buses)).

60. The expert from OICA introduced document GRSG-122-02, which is a document containing comments from OICA to the updated proposal of the Russian Federation for an amendment to UN Regulation No. 66 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2021/23). The expert from OICA informed GRSG that there was no supplement to the 01 series of amendment and proposed a harmonized solution for GRSG to establish a taskforce.

61. The expert from France supported the proposal from the Russian Federation and stated they had similar views to that of OICA regarding their concerns on the series of amendment. The experts from the Netherlands and Belgium both agreed with France.

62. GRSG decided to establish a taskforce chaired by the Russian Federation and invited participation from interested parties to fine-tune the proposals for amendments made to UN Regulation No. 66.

Proposal to align provisions in paragraph 7 and Annex 6.

30. The representative from the Russian Federation introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2021/16 to clarify provisions in UN Regulation No. 133. The representative from the Netherlands proposed an alternative wording to simplify the proposal, as reflected in Annex XI of the session report. The representative from the Russian Federation thanked and supported the alternate proposal from the Netherlands.

31. GRPE adopted Annex XI and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their November 2021 sessions as draft Supplement 1 to UN Regulation No. 133 (Recyclability of motor vehicles).

61. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced document GRSG-121-36, which contains responses of the Russian Federation to the comments from OICA to the updated proposal of the Russian Federation for an amendment to UN Regulation No. 66 (GRSG-121-31).

62. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. 66 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/22 as amended by GRSG-121-31), which aims to clarify the verifications after the performance of the strength test.

63. GRSG considered the proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. 66 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2021/22 as amended by GRSG-121-31). Upon technical discussion, comments, and support expressed for the proposal from the Russian Federation that aimed to enhance the safety of buses, by the experts from Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, the European Commission and OICA, GRSG decided to revisit the proposal based on a revised version, pending consultations among experts, at its October 2021 session.

64. The expert from the Russian Federation thanked experts for expressing their positions and invited interested parties to deliver their comments to the proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. 66 (GRSG-121-31) to s.maslennikov@autorc.ru.