51. The expert from Netherlands on behalf of IWG EDR/DSSAD introduced the status report (GRSG-123-20) of the group. He clarified that the group’s activities directly considered the following: (a) complete EDR common performance elements for the 1958/1998 Agreements, (b) EDR performance for Autonomous Driving systems and (c) finalize a new UN Regulation or amend UN Regulation No. 160 for common technical elements on EDR of heavy duty vehicles (trucks and buses). At the same time, he also explained the IWG subjects that were in cooperation with GRVA. He clarified that the timing indicated in GRSG-123-20 would be subject to the IWG programme plan. Furthermore, he introduced GRSG-123-21-Rev.1 that reviews the existing national/regional activities and proposes way forward for EDR at the global level.

52. GRSG agreed to send GRSG-123-21-Rev.1 as an informal document for information to the November 2022 session of WP.29. GRSG noted that a document on the Data Storage system for Automated Driving Vehicles (DSSAD) may be also sent to that session of WP.29, pending the outcome of discussions of GRVA.

53. Moreover, the expert from China introduced GRSG-123-27 that suggested the way forward for full harmonization of EDR. He underlined that the first step of the process of EDR Guidance for 1958 and 1998 had been finalized and that the IWG was moving forward to the second step. To accelerate step 2 in EDR IWG, he suggested listing the existing national EDR regulations/standards into the compendium of candidates. The expert from the United States of America informed GRSG that the Code of Federal Regulation 49, part 563 had been established 15 years ago and would be revised soon. Thus, she suggested that discussion at AC.3 was premature, and she invited experts and representatives of contracting parties to continue exchanges of view on experience and recent implementation of National Regulations. The expert from the Netherlands suggested working in parallel on step 2 and eventually review the deadline for its completion. The expert from Japan endorsed the comments from` the experts of the Netherlands and the United States of America. He valued the presentation from the expert from China, but he suggested continuing discussions within IWG. He further informed GRSG that his country had implemented UN Regulation No. 160 into its national legislation in September 2021 and was ready to incorporate the 01 series of amendments. However, he concluded that further harmonization would need time. The Chair of GRSG recapped that the expert from China might propose his National Standard in the Compendium of the 1998 Agreement. Conversely, other contracting parties to the 1998 Agreement considered this action premature.