The 36th session of the Automotive Life Cycle Assessment IWG reviewed progress on a harmonised global methodology. SG7 will consolidate all comments by 1 April 2026 for line-by-line IWG review. Key unresolved items include PHEV methodology, component replacement approaches, and electricity modelling. Industry emphasised the need for a single global methodology and technology neutrality. The United States noted insufficient definition of methodological aspects. The group agreed to prioritise technical issues first, then policy-related issues, with virtual sessions in April and May. A decision point is targeted for 19 June 2026, with possible adoption at the October GRPE session. The IWG mandate extends to December 2026.

The PMP session discussed revisions to the group’s terms of reference to address overlapping technical issues with GTR 24, UN R179, and replacement parts regulations. Three task forces were proposed: TF3a on layout and testing, TF3b on speed-limited vehicles, and TF4 on electromechanical brakes. Topics included non-original brake parts regulations, UN R179 amendments for new vehicle categories, and GTR heavy-duty brake particle emissions standards. The next meeting was scheduled for end of April 2026.

Updated proposal as of 18 March 2026.

The 37th session reviewed a consolidated working document on automotive life cycle assessment integrating comments from Contracting Parties, stakeholders, and the European Commission. Key unresolved issues include electricity modelling, chain of custody, primary data share, logistics, battery replacement, and vehicle lifetime assumptions. The leading team will update the overview table and identify priority issues for discussion. The next session is scheduled for 9 April 2026, with an internal milestone of 19 June 2026 to resolve outstanding issues.

Proposal to amend the title of Annex 5 to read “Vehicle user warnings and inducement methods of the Excess Exhaust Emissions Driver Warning System”, amend para. 1 to expand scope to include vehicle user warning systems, amend para. 2 to add abbreviations for Automated Driving System, Hybrid-Electric Vehicle, and Internal Combustion Engine, add new paras. 3.22 to 3.28 defining ADS user, vehicle user, Excess Exhaust Emissions Driver Warning System, SCR warning, SCR inducement, OBM warning, and OBM inducement, amend para. 7.2.1 to specify EEEDWS functions including assigning OBM monitoring status, providing vehicle user warnings, and limiting vehicle use through inducement methods, delete para. 7.9.5, amend Annex 4 paras. 1.9.1, 2.5, 2.6.2, and 2.8.2(b) to clarify OBM system parameters, amend Table 10.1 to retitle as “Vehicle information”, amend Appendix 1 table lines 1.2, 1.43, 1.52, and 3.8 to clarify OBM parameters and add inducement distance parameters, amend Appendix 5 notes and references regarding virtual distance calculations, amend Annex 5 title and paras. 1, 2.2.6.1, 2.2.7.1–2.2.7.4.1, 2.2.8.1, 2.2.8.3, 2.3.1, 2.3.1.3, 2.3.1.5.2, 2.3.5.1–2.3.5.2, 2.4.1.2, 2.4.2.1, 2.4.3.1–2.4.3.2, and 2.4.4.3.1 to establish vehicle user warning and inducement requirements including distance counters, warning display conditions, and inducement activation thresholds, amend Annex 6 para. 2.4 and Appendix 1 regarding small-volume manufacturers, amend Annex 8 paras. 2.10.1 and Appendix 1 to clarify electrical energy consumption calculations, and amend Annex 9 para. 3 to expand technical documentation requirements regarding data integrity.

Proposal to amend UN R179 Supplement 1:

• Modify the scope to include vehicles of category N₂ between 3.5 and 5 tonnes maximum mass at manufacturer request
• Add abbreviations and definitions including “Category M₁ vehicle”, “Mass in running order”, “Service brake”, “Brake calliper”, “User-selectable mode”, “ADS user”, and “Vehicle user”
• Amend the reference method to require testing on WLTP-Brake cycle using UN R154 compliant chassis dynamometer with external sensors for brake torque
• Specify vehicle selection procedures for testing user-selectable modes resulting in lowest recuperation with possible exemptions for very special limited purposes modes

Proposal to amend UN R86 on various provisions related to vehicle scope, mass definitions, approval references, and test requirements:

• Amend paras. 1.1. and 1.2. to modify the scope for Level 1A and Level 1B
• Insert Footnote 1 to para. 1.
• Amend para. 3.3. to revise the heading
• Amend para. 3.3.3. to redefine “Mass in running order” and clarify driver mass inclusion for vehicles of categories X and Y
• Amend Note a of Figure 3 to align the definition of mass and driver mass treatment
• Renumber Footnote 1 to Footnote 2 in para. 5.4.1. and amend its content to reference the 1958 Agreement distinguishing numbers
• Amend para. 8.3.1. to expand vehicle condition requirements including selectable modes, battery charge mode, ADS features, aerodynamics modifications, test mass composition, driving behaviour verification, and emissions monitoring parameters
• Insert new para. 9.3.5. and new para. 9.3.5.1. to establish special provisions for vehicles equipped with an ADS
• Amend Annex 1 Part 1 to add approval number references to UN Regulation No. 154 and level of approval designation
• Amend Annex 1 Part 2 to add level of approval designation
• Amend para. 12.10. of Annex 1 Part 2 to expand the scope of devices or systems with user-selectable modes to include electric energy consumption
• Amend the explanatory note (h) of Annex 1
• Amend row 21 of Table A4/1 in Annex 4 to modify acceleration demand parameters.

Proposal to amend UN R86 testing requirements:

• Amend para. 1, Footnote 1 to update the reference to document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8
• Amend para. 5.3.2.3. to specify minimum radius of bends and transverse profile requirements for loop track curves
• Amend para. 5.5.1.1.2. to clarify gear ratio selection and acceleration demand during measurement
• Amend para. 5.5.5. to require recording of circuit time Ti, not less than three measurements with specified vehicle path tolerances, and a difference between extreme values not exceeding 3 per cent

Proposal to amend Footnote 1 to reference Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles, amend Annex 1 para. 2.6. to modify mass definition and add closure bracket, delete Annex 1 para. 3.4.3., renumber Annex 1 paras. 3.4.3.1., 3.4.3.1.1., 3.4.3.1.2. and 3.4.3.1.3. as 3.4.3., 3.4.3.1., 3.4.3.2. and 3.4.3.3., amend Annex 2 para. 1.9.2., amend Annex 3 Table A3/1 to modify emission standard reference letters, amend Annex 4 para. 5.7.2. to specify vehicle examination and maintenance procedures, amend Annex 4 Appendix 1 paras. 1., 2. and 3. to clarify fuel tank level, warning indicators, and reagent level checks, amend Annex 4 Appendix 5 paras. 18. and 19. to specify user-selectable modes for testing, and amend Annex 5 paras. 2.3. and 2.4. to clarify gearbox test procedures.

Proposal to amend para. 1.1., Footnote 1 to update the reference to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.) document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8, para. 2, and amend para. 4.5.1., Footnote 2 to update the reference to Annex 3 of the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8.

Proposal to amend UN R83 specifications for emission testing:

• Amend para. 1.1.1., Footnote 1, to update the reference to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.) document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8
• Amend para. 24.3.1. to specify that emission of visible pollutants shall be measured by two methods in Annexes 4 and 5, with special procedures for hybrid electric vehicles or vehicles equipped with an ADS detailed in the service manual
• Amend Annex 5, para. 2.4. to require the gear be in neutral and the drive between engine and gear-box engaged when the test is carried out on a vehicle
• Amend Annex 5, para. 2.5. to detail engine speed demand procedures during testing