Last session of GRPE
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), established in 1947 by ECOSOC, it is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations, and includes 56 member States in Europe, North America and Asia.
UNECE works to promote sustainable transport which is safe, clean and competitive, through the development of freight and personal mobility by inland transport modes, by improving traffic safety, environmental performance, energy efficiency, inland transport security and efficient service provision in the transport sector.
The UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) is a unique worldwide regulatory forum within the institutional framework of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee.
The Working Party on Pollution and Energy (GRPE) is the subsidiary body of the WP.29, which prepares regulatory proposals on pollution and energy efficiency. This group of experts conducts research and analysis to develop emission and energy requirements for vehicles. GRPE convenes officially twice a year and entrusts informal groups with specific problems that need to be solved urgently or that require special expertise. More than 120 experts participate at the sessions of GRPE.
Examples of the deliveries of GRPE:
• UN Regulation No. 83 is containing the technical provisions for the pollutant emissions standards up to Euro 6 for cars.
• UN Regulation No. 49 is containing the technical provisions for the pollutant emissions standards up to EURO VI for trucks and busses.
• UN Regulation No. 101 is containing the technical provisions for the measurement of the fuel economy and the CO2 emissions for cars.
The Working Party is open to the governmental experts from any member country of the United Nations, and to any regional economic integration organization set up by member countries of the United Nations, and to experts of governmental organizations. Experts of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may participate in a consultative capacity. Final decisions are taken by Government representatives by vote at the World Forum WP.29 level.
Helge Schmidt, from TÜV Nord, has represented CITA in the last session of GRPE . The goals are to promote the coordination between the standards applicable both to new and in-use vehicles, to ensure that the benefits accrued from new vehicle design are kept, when reasonable, during their whole life.