103. The representative of Japan, Secretary of the IWG on electric vehicle safety (EVS), informed AC.3 about the outcome of the fourth meeting recently held in Beijing. He reported that the IWG had made progress in developing the outline of the UN GTR along with a draft UN GTR proposal submitted by the United States of America, Canada and Japan. During the technical discussion, the IWG had decided to establish seven task forces dedicated to specific issues to increase progress efficiency. He added that consolidated results were expected by the next IWG meeting. He also informed AC.3 that it had yet to decide on developing the UN GTR in either a single step or in two steps. He concluded that the IWG would provide a status report by the March or June 2014 session of AC.3 and that the fifth meeting of the group was scheduled in Washington D.C. in April 2014.

104. The representative of the United States of America confirmed his country’s commitment to the successful establishment of a UN GTR on electric vehicle safety. Although the IWG had made some good progress, the United States of America requested that the development of the UN GTR should be based on research evidence. He added that his administration was investing a considerable amount of money to develop a full research-based UN GTR and that a single-phase approach would only delay the work [by] 6-8 months over choosing a two-phase approach [that would first aim] to take into consideration the provisions of UN Regulation No. 100, which were considered by NHTSA as not evidence based. Therefore, he supported a one-phase approach only.

105. The representative of EU underlined the importance of the work of the IWG. He reminded AC.3 about the time needed for EU member States to adapt current EU regulations on electrical safety with the future requirements of the UN GTR. He volunteered to provide evidence that proceeding by phases in the development of a UN GTR leads to its more rapid development. Finally, AC.3 agreed to resume consideration on this subject in the case that consensus could not be reached in the IWG.