OICA raises a number of concerns over the direction of the AECS discussions including implications for all “connectivity” technologies. OICA stresses need for AECS to establish true harmonization through performance (rather than design) requirements and for mutual recognition under the 1958 Agreement as well as to maintain the focus on vehicles (as opposed to unwarranted digressions into broader infrastructure, telecommunications systems, bandwidth, etc.).

78. The representative of OICA presented WP.29-163-12, reporting on difficulties faced by the IWG on AECS in the process of developing new provisions and wondered whether communication network protocols could be regulated under the 1958 Agreement. How this issue may be resolved may become a basis for future vehicle connectivity regulatory work and, therefore, needs to be carefully addressed. He concluded his intervention by asking WP.29 representatives to review these issues at the November 2014 session to prepare guidance for the future work of the IWG. The representative of the Russian Federation agreed that this subject was a new challenge and proposed to continue consideration of these issues within the IWG. The representative of ITU recalled the recently agreed collaboration between WP.29 and ITU for addressing these types of issues. He also recalled the scope of activities of his organization, producing recommendations on satellite, navigation and communication that can be implemented in regulations and proposed to strengthen the collaboration on this matter. WP.29 agreed to follow up on this issue and requested the secretariat to keep this item on the agenda of its November 2014 session.