Presentation to explain the rational behind the proposal of a new Annex 8 to the R55 introduced in the working document GRRF/2017/03.

18. The Secretary of the IWG on Regulation No. 55 presented (GRRF-83-06) a consolidated proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2017/3) based on the proposals presented at the previous session of GRRF and addressing the comments received.

19. GRRF adopted the proposal [after correcting an equation in Annex 8, para. 3.4., Clevis Coupling D formulae] and requested the secretariat to submit it as part of the draft Supplement 7 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 55 (Mechanical coupling) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2017 sessions.

Proposed addition, based on document GRRF/2016/32, to the package of amendments developed by the informal working group on UN R55 (document GRRF/2017/3). The proposal aims to make clear to Technical Services and Authorities that in cases where no values for the maximum permissible towing vehicle and trailer masses and the maximum permissible static vertical imposed load on the tow ball are declared by a vehicle manufacturer or where the declared maximum vertical value is zero, approval shall be refused.

20. The Chair of GRRF recalled the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2016/32, aimed at imposing a new general constraint for granting component type-approval for mechanical coupling devices dedicated to category M1 vehicles only if the vehicle type is designed to tow trailers. An ad hoc group of experts proposed an alternative wording, in GRRF-83-25-Rev.1.

21. GRRF adopted the proposal as reproduced in Annex III and requested the secretariat to submit it as part of the Supplement 7 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 55 (Mechanical coupling) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2017 sessions.

Addition, based on document GRRF/2016/32, to the package of amendments developed by the informal working group on UN R55 (document GRRF/2017/3). The proposal aims to make clear to Technical Services and Authorities that in cases where no values for the maximum permissible towing vehicle and trailer masses and the maximum permissible static vertical imposed load on the tow device are declared by a vehicle manufacturer or where the declared maximum vertical value is zero, approval shall be refused.

20. The Chair of GRRF recalled the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2016/32, aimed at imposing a new general constraint for granting component type-approval for mechanical coupling devices dedicated to category M1 vehicles only if the vehicle type is designed to tow trailers. An ad hoc group of experts proposed an alternative wording, in GRRF-83-25-Rev.1.

21. GRRF adopted the proposal as reproduced in Annex III and requested the secretariat to submit it as part of the Supplement 7 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 55 (Mechanical coupling) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2017 sessions.

Proposal to restrict component type-approval for mechanical coupling devices dedicated to category M1 vehicles to use only on such M1 vehicles as are designed to tow trailers.

21. The expert from Poland introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2016/32 proposing to introduce requirements in Regulation No. 55 imposing that a coupling device can only be installed on an M1 vehicle which was designed for its installation. The intention of the proposal received a general support. The expert from Denmark proposed that it should also apply to vehicles of category N1. The experts from the Netherlands and Spain noted that the text of the Regulation already contained provisions in that sense (a list with such provisions is available in the IWG working paper R55-07-06). GRRF supported the idea proposed and agreed to revisit this item at its January 2017 session on the basis of a revised proposal that the experts from Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain volunteered to prepare.

20. The Chair of GRRF recalled the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2016/32, aimed at imposing a new general constraint for granting component type-approval for mechanical coupling devices dedicated to category M1 vehicles only if the vehicle type is designed to tow trailers. An ad hoc group of experts proposed an alternative wording, in GRRF-83-25-Rev.1.

21. GRRF adopted the proposal as reproduced in Annex III and requested the secretariat to submit it as part of the Supplement 7 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 55 (Mechanical coupling) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2017 sessions.

UN R55 informal group proposal for:

1. An amendment for the separation of the procedures to verify towable mass from the procedure of setting and certifying performance values;
2. An amendment that adds procedures to verify towable mass for vehicle combinations that have hitherto not been accounted for in the Regulation;
3. Amendments that adds integrated fixing points for secondary couplings;
4. An amendment that clarifies the procedure to identify worst cases for certification testing;
5. Amendments that removes typos in the current Regulation.

18. The Secretary of the IWG on Regulation No. 55 presented (GRRF-83-06) a consolidated proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2017/3) based on the proposals presented at the previous session of GRRF and addressing the comments received.

19. GRRF adopted the proposal [after correcting an equation in Annex 8, para. 3.4., Clevis Coupling D formulae] and requested the secretariat to submit it as part of the draft Supplement 7 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 55 (Mechanical coupling) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2017 sessions.