IWG RD-ASEP is developing a mandatory test to assess compliance with paragraph 6.2.3 of Regulation 51.04 main body, assuring vehicle noise emission at speed, load, or acceleration conditions other than Annex 3 condition is linked to vehicle physics with no noise emission test detection or defeat device schemes. After the 13th session in June 2026, the Editing Task Force created a consolidated R51.04 draft incorporating R51.03 Supplements up to Supplement 11, with mandatory random RD-ASEP testing for approval and revised control range. Submission targets include informal document first draft September 2026, second draft February 2027, and expected working document for adoption February 2028.

This document presents a clean draft proposal for the 04 series of amendments to UN R51 (Noise of M₁–M₃ and N₁–N₃ Categories of Vehicles). The proposal establishes uniform provisions for sound emission approval of motor vehicles with at least four wheels, introducing comprehensive specifications for measuring vehicle noise during motion and stationary conditions. Key provisions include detailed test methods with outdoor and indoor testing options, sound level limits varying by vehicle category and power characteristics, requirements for vehicles of categories M₁ and N₁ to comply with Real Driving Additional Sound Emission Provisions (RD-ASEP), specifications for exhaust silencing systems containing fibrous materials, conformity of production procedures, and specific adaptations for vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems. The regulation applies from its official entry into force, with a transitional period allowing acceptance of prior-series approvals until a specified date.

The agenda includes welcoming participants, reviewing and adopting the agenda, scheduling next meetings on 7th July and 24th August 2026, analyzing database distance in dB from the borderline, discussing proposals to TF-Editing based on draft UN R51.04 from the June Gothenburg session, preparing wording proposals for items 13–19 from the issues list, and reviewing decisions and work for the next meeting before reporting to IWG RD-ASEP.

This presentation, intended for discussion within TF Data Analysis RD-ASEP and not for conclusions, analyzes model performance using L_exp data from Annex_9_test_runs where both left and right sound were measured. Model performance varies across speed bins, with higher mean absolute error at low and high speeds. Adjusting theta_tr values improves mean absolute error across all speed bins. Testing without an envelope function results in more measurements exceeding expected values, requiring extra margins.

Proposal to add para. 4.4.1. through 4.4.8. to restructure target operation conditions provisions, add para. 4.4.7. to permit acceptance of runs outside the control range under specified provisions, modify para. 3.6.1. to change reference acceleration determination from maximum to selected acceleration for a selected reference v-t-e ratio, modify para. 4.5.4.1. to set negative calculated acceleration values to zero, add heading “Carry-over parameters from Annex 3” to para. 2.2.1.2., add para. 2.2.1.2.1. and 2.2.1.2.2., and modify constant speed test parameters to report vehicle speed vBB’_CRS_ANCHOR rather than reference speed vTEST of 50 km/h.

Task Force Data Analysis held an online meeting on 7 July 2026. The group discussed database analysis, including insufficient data for higher performance and acceleration, and agreed that more data are needed. When new data are generated, operation conditions should focus on higher performances covering the ASEP range, higher accelerations up to and exceeding 5 m/s, pass-by runs with gear shifting, and low speed measurements in the UN R117 AVAS control range. The group reviewed proposals to the TF-Editing based on draft UN R51.04 and agreed some changes, with review results to be uploaded as Rev.1. A question regarding the phrase “but no more than 2.0 m/s” in paragraph 3.1.2.1.4.3 regarding vehicles with only one gear ratio was noted as issue #23 pending further review.

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.

The UN IWG for Children Left in Vehicles is in Phase 2 developing a new UN Regulation for vehicle categories M₂ and M₃. The draft UN Regulation includes requirements for visual and audible external warnings in buses and coaches to prevent children being left inside. The external warning shall be visual and audible, with the visual warning remaining on for at least 15 seconds then off for no greater than 30 seconds, repeating in cycles lasting no less than 10 minutes, using type approved direction indicator lamps all flashing with the same frequency. The audible warning shall remain on for at least 15 seconds then off for no greater than 30 seconds, repeating in cycles lasting no less than 10 minutes, and shall be greater than 60dB(A). Both warnings shall stop immediately after the physical inspection system is disarmed or the vehicle master control switch is turned on. The IWG intends to permit audible devices approved to UN Regulation No. 28 or UN Regulation No. 165 to generate the external audible warning.

Minutes of the 75th session of the Informal Working Group WGWT held 16 June 2026 on-line. The agenda was adopted. Previous meeting minutes from the 73rd session (31 March 2026) and 74th session (19 May 2026) were adopted. WTPP secretary updated on testing activities status per document WT-75-2. ETRTO stated the agreed number of tests was a statistical minimum and IWG WGWT conclusions to GRBP must be based on complete test results. IWG WGWT agreed to await WTPP conclusions on outliers before deciding whether to keep the current number of tests or make additional tests. The co-chair stated a status report must be prepared for GRBP 84th session (September 2026) and suggested an IWG WGWT meeting days before GRBP. Next IWG WGWT meeting scheduled for 28 August 9:00–10:00 CET.

Proposal to amend Annex 3 and Annex 7 regarding ASEP calculations and temperature corrections:

• Add reference to nMAX and kp factor for ASEP anchor point calculation in Annex 3, Appendix 1 Table 1,
• Clarify temperature correction equations and coefficients K1 and K2 by defining them uniquely in para. 3.2.3. and adding missing index j references in Annex 3, Appendix 2 paras. 3.2.3., 3.2.4., 3.3.3. and 3.3.4.,
• Delete from Annex 7 para. 5.2. a sentence regarding gear ratios for ASEP Lref that was wrongly introduced in Supplement 10 (GRBP-79-33/Rev.1).

The Worn Tyres Post-Processing task force completed data collection for 3PMSF and Normal tyres, each with 57 samples representing 100% of target. Ongoing activities include outliers analysis of the 3PMSF and Normal cluster and post processing of the data conclusions.

The UN IWG for CLIV is in Phase 2 on developing a new UN Regulation on Children Left in Vehicles (CLIVs) for vehicle categories M2 and M3. The draft UN Regulation includes requirements with regards to visual and audible external warnings in buses and coaches to assist in the prevention of children being left inside. The IWG has prioritized the development of a new UN Regulation for buses and coaches in the first instance.

Proposal to amend Annex 7, paragraph 3.1, to add provisions allowing discard of test runs when additional operating conditions lead to riding conditions not expected to occur in real traffic such as front wheel lift up, apparent wheel spin, chain slap, or engine lugging, and amend paragraph 3.2.2 to specify that if unusual riding conditions occur during testing, the test shall be performed in the next higher gear and maximum vehicle speed shall be reached at line BB’ instead, thereby ensuring consistency with the 05 and 06 series of UN Regulation No. 41.

Proposal to amend UN R51 in the 04 series of amendments based on GRBP-84-07, adding definitions and specifications for Real Driving Additional Sound Emission Provisions applying to vehicles of categories M₁ and N₁, modifying sound measurement methods and test procedures including indoor testing provisions, establishing a sound expectation model for RD-ASEP compliance evaluation, introducing provisions for vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System, and updating Annexes 3 through 10 and associated appendices with revised test conditions, gear selection flowcharts, temperature and test-track corrections, tyre rolling sound measurement procedures, compressed air noise assessment, and conformity of production checks. No Contracting Party shall refuse to grant type-approvals under the 04 series of amendments from its entry into force until [TBD date], after which approvals under the preceding 03 series may no longer be accepted.

The IWG RD-ASEP Informal Group is developing a mandatory test procedure for UN R51 to assess vehicle noise emission compliance under conditions other than Annex 3, ensuring no defeat device schemes exist. The Editing Task Force created a consolidated R51.04 draft incorporating Supplements up to Supplement 11, with mandatory random RD-ASEP testing for approval and revised control ranges. R51.04 RD-ASEP expands vehicle speed range to 1-100 km/h, adds vehicle performance criteria, implements random test points, and requires testing for approval. Working document submission is expected September 2027, with expected adoption February 2028.

Proposals for earlier series of amendments those may be used in certain country
where R156-01 is required. The provisions regarding provision of information on hardware and software relevant to approval testing are moved to the section related to specifications and/or tests as instructed in R.E.3. and the amendment made by WP29-197-06 is reflected.

Draft agenda of the 76th session of the Informal Working Group WGWT scheduled for August 28th, 2026 on-line. The agenda includes welcome and opening remarks, adoption of the agenda, adoption of the minutes of the 75th session of 16 June 2026, review of work plan 2025-2026 for C1 tyres, review of IWG WGWT status report for GRBP 84th session of September 2026, and next meetings.

The IWG for Wet Grip on Worn Tyres reports progress on evaluating methods for preparing tyres of Class C1 to be tested in worn state at type-approval, defining test conditions and methods, establishing type-approval thresholds for wet grip performance, and addressing requirements for classes C2 and C3. Test Campaign Stage 1 assesses test procedure precision per GRBP-80-11, with normal and 3PMSF tyres completely tested at 13 test centres. Outliers analysis and KPI target confirmation are ongoing. Stage 2, if needed, is planned for 2026-2027.

Proposal for a Guideline regarding the Interpretation of Paragraph 6.2.3. ASEP in the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51, updating Informal Document GRB-68-03 and based on GRB/2005/5 and GRB/2010/9. Part A addresses internal combustion and hybrid vehicles when the combustion engine is operating, defining typical on-road driving as vehicle speeds between 15 km/h and 100 km/h, accelerations not exceeding 2 m/s² and vehicle performance not exceeding 35 m/s², and engine speeds of at least 1.5 times idle speed and not exceeding the maximum outlined in Annex 7. Significant deviation means sound level exceeding reference values by at least 6 dB(A). Type approval test results derive from Annex 3 or Annex 7 values, with reference values established using regression curves or calculation principles. Part B addresses electric and hybrid vehicles propelled electrically only, extending guidance to electrified vehicles and Enhanced Exterior Sound introduced by Supplement 11. Typical on-road driving for electric vehicles includes vehicle speeds greater than 0 km/h and up to 100 km/h and standstill covered by UN-R 138. Significant deviation for electric vehicles is at least 3–6 dB(A).