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UN R41 Supplement 8 (04 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 41 (ECE R41) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motorcycles with regard to noise.

UN R41 — Supplement 8 to the 04 series of amendments

Supplement 7 → 8

Adopted at the WP.29 181st sessionEntry into force 2021-01-03
What changed
  • New paragraph 5.2.2. says that multiple exhaust or silencing system configurations must be explicitly listed under the same type approval with their respective test results.
  • Paragraph 5.2.1. no longer bars a Contracting Party from giving the same number to the same motorcycle type with another exhaust or silencing system type.
  • For outlets spaced less than or equal to 0.3 m apart and connected to separate silencers, Annex 3 now requires only one measurement.
Why
  • The proposal intends to minimize the proliferation of approval numbers from models with differences in vehicle exhaust and silencing systems.
  • The proposal says that the type definition language, in its strictest sense, does not allow multiple configurations to be listed on the same approval certificate.
  • For the microphone position, GRBP-71-10 says that misinterpretation because of ambiguity in the language causes improper stationary noise measurements.

Q1What changed31 changes

Type of motorcycle as regards its sound level (paras. 2.1. to 2.2.3.)

Paragraph 2.2. now defines the “Type of motorcycle as regards its sound level”, without the words “and exhaust system”. In paragraph 2.2.1., the type of engine now includes the number and capacity of cylinders “or rotors”. In paragraph 2.2.2., the transmission system now includes, in particular, the overall gear ratio taking into account the rear wheel circumference. Paragraph 2.2.3. now says “Configurations and arrangements of exhaust or silencing systems” instead of “Number, type and arrangement of exhaust or silencing systems”. Paragraph 2.1. now uses “motorcycle” instead of “motor cycle”.

"Approval of a motor cyclemotorcycle" means the approval of a motor cycle motorcycle type with regard to noise;
"Type of motor cycle motorcycle as regards its sound level and exhaust system" means motor cycles motorcycles which do not differ in such essential respects as the following:
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Exhaust or silencing system terms (paras. 2.3. to 2.4.1.)

Paragraph 2.3.2. now uses the term “Non-Original Replacement Exhaust or Silencing System (NORESS)” instead of “Non-original exhaust or silencing system”. Paragraph 2.4. now defines “Exhaust or silencing systems of differing configurations” instead of “Exhaust or silencing systems of differing types”. In paragraph 2.3., “motor cycle” is now “motorcycle”. In paragraph 2.4.1., “trade marks” is now “trademarks”.

"Exhaust or silencing system" means a complete set of components necessary to limit the noise caused by a motor cycle motorcycle engine and its exhaust.
"Non-original exhaust Non-Original Replacement Exhaust or silencing system" Silencing System (NORESS)" means a system of a type other than that fitted to the vehicle at the time of type approval or extension of type approval.
2 more changes in this group — open in Compare

Application documents, samples and motorcycles for each configuration (paras. 3.3. to 3.6.)

New paragraph 3.3. applies if multiple configurations are applicable to the motorcycle type to be approved. Then the documents of paragraph 3.2. must be prepared for each exhaust or silencing system configuration. Former paragraph 3.3. is now paragraph 3.4., and it now adds the words “in agreement with the type approval authorities” and asks for a sample of the exhaust or silencing system(s). Former paragraph 3.4. is now paragraph 3.5., and it now says “All motorcycle(s) representative of the same type with all possible exhaust or silencing system configurations to be approved”. Before, it said “A motor cycle representative of the motor cycle type to be approved”. Former paragraph 3.5. is now paragraph 3.6.

Respective documents mentioned in paragraph 3.2 above shall be prepared for each exhaust or silencing system configuration, if multiple configurations are applicable to the motorcycle type to be approved.
At the request of the Technical Service technical service responsible for conducting approval tests in agreement with the type approval authorities, the motor cycle motorcycle manufacturer shall, in addition, submit a sample of the exhaust or silencing system.system(s).
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Approval number and multiple exhaust configurations (paras. 5.2.1. to 5.9.)

Former paragraphs 5.2. and 5.4. to 5.8. are now paragraphs 5.2.1. and 5.5. to 5.9. Paragraph 5.2.1. no longer bars a Contracting Party from giving the same number to the same motorcycle type with another exhaust or silencing system type. The same Contracting Party still may not assign the same number to another motorcycle type. New paragraph 5.2.2. says that multiple exhaust or silencing system configurations must be explicitly listed under the same type approval with their respective test results. New paragraph 5.4. says that the respective information for these configurations must be provided for in Annex 1. In paragraph 5.3., “motor cycle” is now “motorcycle”, and the A4 size is now written “210 × 297 mm”.

An approval number shall be assigned to each type approved. Its first two digits indicate the series of amendments incorporating the most recent major technical amendments made to the Regulation at the time of issue of the approval. The same Contracting Party may not assign the same number to the same motor cycle type equipped with another type of exhaust or silencing system, or to another motor cycle motorcycle type.
Multiple exhaust or silencing system configurations shall be explicitly listed under the same approval of a type of motorcycle with their respective test results.
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General conditions for the vehicles tested (Annex 3, para. 1.3.2.1.)

The vehicle(s) tested must be representative of vehicles to be put on the market under the vehicle type to be approved. The text adds “selected by the manufacturer in agreement with the Type Approval Authority”. Before, the vehicle had to be supplied as specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

The vehicle shall be supplied as specified by the vehicle manufacturer.The vehicle(s) tested shall be representative of vehicles to be put on the market under the vehicle type to be approved and selected by the manufacturer in agreement with the Type Approval Authority, to comply with the requirements of this Regulation.

Microphone position for several exhaust outlets (Annex 3, para. 2.4.1., and Appendix 2)

For outlets connected to a single silencer, the one-measurement rule now applies to a spacing of less than or equal to 0.3 m. Before, it applied to a spacing of less than 0.3 m. In this case, the 0.3 m measurement is to be made along a single plane perpendicular to the flow axis of the exhaust gases. A new paragraph requires only one measurement for outlets spaced less than or equal to 0.3 m apart and connected to separate silencers. For the purpose of roadside checking, the reference point may now be moved to “the outer side of the body” instead of “the outer surface of the vehicle body”. The figure in Appendix 2 to Annex 3 is changed.

If a vehicle has two or more exhaust outlets spaced less than or equal to 0.3 m apart and connected to a single silencer, only one measurement shall be made. The microphone shall be located relative to the outlet the farthest furthest from the vehicle's longitudinal centreline, or, when such outlet does not exist, to the outlet that is highest above the ground. The 0.3 m measurement is to be made along a single plane perpendicular to the flow axis of the exhaust gases.
If a vehicle has two or more exhaust outlets spaced less than or equal to 0.3 m apart and connected to separate silencers, only one measurement shall be made. The microphone shall be located relative to the outlet furthest from the vehicle's longitudinal centreline, or, when such outlet does not exist, to the outlet that is highest above the ground.
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Filling time of the compensating reservoir (Annex 5, Figure 1, note 3)

Note 3 to Figure 1 now gives the compensating reservoir a filling time of not less than 1 second. The maximum capacity of 40 litres does not change.

Compensating reservoir with a maximum capacity of 40 litres and a filling time of not less than 1 second.
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Q2Why it changed

Proposed by
Expert from the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association
Working party
GRBP, 71st session (January 2020)

Reasons

  • The proposal intends to minimize the proliferation of approval numbers from models with differences in vehicle exhaust and silencing systems. The proposal says that this change will reduce redundancy and minimize the chances for documentation errors.

    Sources (2)
    “The intention of this proposal is to minimize proliferation of approval numbers from models with differences in vehicle exhaust and silencing systems.”
    “This change will reduce redundancy and minimize the chances for documentation errors.”
  • The proposal says that the type definition language, in its strictest sense, does not allow multiple configurations to be listed on the same approval certificate. Examples of configurations are different exhausts, intakes or engine displacements. A separate approval number and document must be generated for each unique configuration. Approvals to UN Regulation No. 41 are used by more and more countries around the world. The proposal says that the increase in approval numbers and documentation burden can become unmanageable and burdensome for manufacturers and type approval authorities.

    Sources (4)
    “The current type definition language, in its strictest sense, does not allow for multiple configurations, such as different exhausts, intakes or engine displacements, to be listed on the same approval certificate.”
    “A separate approval number and document must be generated for each unique configuration.”
    “As approvals according to UN Regulation No. 41 are utilized by more and more countries around the world, the increase in approval numbers and documentation burden”
    “can grow to a point becoming unmanageable and burdensome for the manufacturers and type approval authorities.”
  • The proposal on the compensating reservoir intends to correct an omission, which requires conditioning by pulsation. The proposal says that this is in line with other noise UN Regulations Nos. 9, 51 and 63.

    Sources (2)
    “The intention of this proposal is to correct an omission, which requires conditioning by pulsation, in line with other noise UN Regulations Nos. 9, 51 and 63.”
    “Compensating reservoir with a maximum capacity of 40 litres and a filling time of”
  • Proposer's reason (informal document GRBP-71-10)

    The proposal is to align the stationary microphone positioning of UN R41-04 and ISO 5130. The reason is to prevent the regular misinterpretation that happens because of ambiguity in the language. This misinterpretation causes improper stationary noise measurements. These lead to customer satisfaction complaints, false reports of non-compliance and enforcement issues.

    Submitted by IMMA. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/69, para. 5.

    Sources (2)
    “The reason of proposing to align UN R41-04 and ISO 5130 stationary microphone positioning is to prevent the regular misinterpretation that happens because of ambiguity in the language.”
    GRBP-71-10II. Justification, Introduction
    “This causes improper stationary noise measurements leading to: customer satisfaction complaints, false reports of non-compliance and enforcement issues.”
    GRBP-71-10II. Justification, Introduction
  • Proposer's reason (informal document GRBP-71-10)

    Stationary noise measurements on a single sided dual exhaust system can vary by approximately 4 dB from the lower to the upper muffler. The proposal says that the text at that time did not address single sided dual exhaust systems with separate silencers. It also did not address systems spaced at 0.3 m, or how to measure the 0.3 m spacing.

    Submitted by IMMA. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/69, para. 5.

    Sources (2)
    “Stationary noise measurements on a single sided dual exhaust system can vary by approximately 4dB from the lower to upper muffler.”
    GRBP-71-10II. Justification
    “The current language does not address single sided dual exhaust systems which have separate silencers, does not address systems that are spaced at 0.3 m, and does not address how to measure the 0.3 m spacing.”
    GRBP-71-10II. Justification

Document trail

  1. 2019-06ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2019/24Proposal by IMMA on the compensating reservoir
  2. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/68Session report, para. 5: proposal adopted, submission postponed
  3. 2019-11RevisedECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2019/25/Rev.1Revised proposal by IMMA on approval numbers
  4. —ProposalGRBP-71-10Proposal by IMMA on the microphone position
  5. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/69Session report, paras. 3 and 5
  6. 2020-03Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2020/70Text that GRBP sent to WP.29 and AC.1
  7. 2020-06WP.29 adoptsAdopted at the 181st session
  8. 2021-01-03In forceC.N.22.2021.TREATIES-XI.B.16.41UN depositary notification

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

  • Make sure that the paragraph 3.2. documents are prepared for each exhaust or silencing system configuration, if multiple configurations apply.
  • Be ready to submit motorcycles representative of the type with all possible exhaust or silencing system configurations to be approved.
  • Select test vehicles representative of vehicles to be put on the market under the type, with Type Approval Authority agreement.

Component supplier

  • No direct action for this role.

Technical service / Approval authority

  • For outlets spaced less than or equal to 0.3 m apart on separate silencers, make only one measurement.
  • For a single silencer, measure the 0.3 m spacing along a single plane perpendicular to the exhaust gas flow axis.
  • Check that the Annex 5 compensating reservoir has a filling time of not less than 1 second.

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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.

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