1. The Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling (GRE) held its seventy-seventh session from 4 to 7 April 2017 in Geneva, under the chairmanship of Mr. M. Loccufier (Belgium). Experts from the following countries participated in the work according to Rule 1 (a) of the Rules of Procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) (TRANS/WP.29/690, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/690/Amends. 1 and 2): Austria; China; Czech Republic; Finland; France; Germany; Hungary; India; Italy; Japan; Latvia; Luxemburg; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Republic of Korea; Russian Federation; Spain; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) and Viet Nam. An expert from the European Commission (EC) participated. Experts from the following non‑governmental organizations also took part in the session: European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA); International Automotive Lighting and Light Signalling Expert Group (GTB); International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA); International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA); Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

2. GRE considered and adopted the agenda proposed for the seventy-seventh session (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/1), as reproduced in GRE-77-01 together with the informal documents distributed during the session.

3. The list of informal documents is contained in Annex I to the session report. The list of GRE informal groups is reproduced in Annex VI to the report.

4. GRE took note of the highlights of the November 2016 and March 2017 sessions of WP.29 and the official document submission deadline of 28 July 2017 for the October 2017 session of GRE (GRE-77-18).

5. The expert of GTB pointed out the growing interest in harmonization of lighting and light-signalling norms among countries which are not Contracting Parties to the 1958 Agreement, in particular, China, India and the United States of America. According to him, Stage 2 of the ongoing process for simplification of the lighting and light-signalling Regulations could also trigger development of a new Global Technical Regulation (GTR), for example, on the adaptive driving beam. The experts from EC and SAE supported this view and called for cooperation with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

6. No new information was reported under this agenda item.

7. On behalf of the Informal Working Group ‘Simplification of the Lighting and Light-Signalling Regulations’ (IWG SLR), the expert from GTB reported on the progress and schedule of IWG SLR (GRE-77-32). GRE noted that the three new draft Regulations on Light-Signalling Devices (LSD), Road Illumination Devices (RID) and Retro-Reflective Devices (RRD) would be officially submitted to the next session of GRE. The expert of EC urged GRE experts to study these comprehensive documents and to provide their comments and contributions to IWG SLR without delay, so as to have a smooth adoption of the draft Regulations at the next session.

8. GRE took note of a first draft LSD Regulation prepared by IWG SLR (GRE-77-05). GRE commended IWG SLR on the quality of this document and delivered some preliminary remarks on its content. In particular, GRE requested additional explanations on how the amendment process, including new series of amendments and approval markings, would work for the new LSD Regulation which covers many different devices.

9. GTB invited GRE to provide guidance on how to treat the GTB proposals submitted to the previous session of GRE and deferred to the present session for final decision, in the context of drafting the three new Regulations (GRE-77-07). These proposals included the introduction of light emitting diode (LED) substitute light sources in the LSD Regulation (see para. 13 below), introduction of LED light sources in the RID Regulation (para. 15 below) and simplification of the conformity of production (CoP) requirements for adaptive front-lighting systems (AFS) (para. 28 below). GRE agreed to introduce the proposals, if adopted, into the drafts of the new RID and LSD Regulations so that the whole package would be formally submitted to the next session of GRE.

10. The expert from GTB briefly presented his views on Stage 2 of the SLR process and pointed out that it would provide a unique opportunity for China to harmonize their ongoing national simplification process with the SLR requirements.

11. GRE took note that WP.29, at its November 2016 session, adopted the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/111) and assigned it number R.E.5. This Resolution would enter into force in June 2017, simultaneously with the corresponding amendments to Regulations Nos. 37, 99 and 128.

12. The expert from GTB presented proposals for amendments to Regulation No. 128 and to the Consolidated Resolution (R.E.5) which introduce requirements and test specifications for light emitting diode (LED) substitute light sources as well as several new LED substitute light source categories (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/2, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/3, GRE-77-02, GRE-77-03, GRE-77-15, GRE-77-22). These proposals were accompanied by collective amendments to Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74, 86 with the requirements for LED substitute light sources (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/4). The expert from GTB explained that the proposed approach was based on the following principles:

• Lamps may be approved with a filament light source and its corresponding LED substitute light source, when fitting in the same holder, and providing an equivalent photometric performance;
• Lamps equipped with LED substitute light sources should be tested with both the filament lamp and the LED substitute light source.

13. GRE also noted the proposal by GTB to introduce requirements for the use of LED substitute light sources in the new LSD Regulation (GRE-77-15).

14. The expert of Germany commented on the GTB proposals (GRE-77-29). GRE generally advocated the idea of allowing for LED substitute lights sources, given their high energy efficiency. At the same time, the experts from France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and UK pointed out the risks associated with the improper use of aftermarket LED products in lamps, which were not approved for such light sources, and called for developing a set of preventive measures, including raising public awareness and giving warnings to consumers. Several technical issues were also questioned, in particular, the proposed G-marking for LEDs with a correlated colour temperature below 3,000 K. GRE invited GTB to address the comments received and agreed to continue the consideration of this issue at the next session on the basis of revised documents to be prepared by GTB.

15. The expert from GTB presented proposals for amendments to Regulation No. 128 and to the Consolidated Resolution (R.E.5) that introduce a new LED light source category for forward lighting applications (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/5, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/6, GRE-77-04, GRE-77-12, GRE-77-13). He explained that GTB had abandoned the concept of “thermal grade” and instead proposed the introduction of a maximum test temperature to ensure interchangeability between approved light sources from different manufacturers. GRE also noted the proposal by GTB to incorporate LED light sources into the new RID Regulation (GRE-77-14).

16. The expert from UK requested more time to study the proposals. The expert of Germany proposed modifications to the notion of “maximum test temperature”. GRE decided to revert to this issue at the next session and invited GRE experts to study the proposals and to send their comments to GTB and IWG SLR.

17. The expert from GTB proposed to clarify inconsistencies and to correct the terminology in the 05 and 06 series of amendments to Regulation No. 48 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2016/24). GRE generally supported the proposals, but requested GTB, in cooperation with OICA, to extend them also to the 03 and 04 series of amendments and to submit a revised document for consideration at the next session.

18. The expert from OICA introduced a revised proposal with a view to defining and describing the operation of the external status indicators for vehicle alarm systems, alarm systems and immobilizers, as contained in Regulations Nos. 97 and 116 (GRE-77-25). Several experts reiterated their concerns that the proposed text, on the one hand, stated that such indicators were not considered lamps within the scope of Regulation No. 48, but, on the other hand, introduced requirements for the indicators. In the absence of a consensus on the issue, the Chair decided to postpone its consideration to the next session.

19. The experts from the Czech Republic, Italy and Japan proposed amendments to the provisions on automatic switching between daytime running lamps (DRL) and headlamps in the 06 series of amendments to Regulation No. 48 (GRE-77-06-Rev.1 and GRE-77-10-Rev.1). The proposals received comments from the expert of the Russian Federation (GRE-77-23 and GRE-77-24). GRE realized that the proposed amendments addressed two different issues: (i) deletion of several subparagraphs that were transitional provisions only for the 05 series of amendments, but were kept by mistake in the 06 series of amendments as well, and (ii) clarification of the requirements for automatic switching from DRL to headlamps. With regard to (i), GRE adopted the proposals for amendments, as contained in Annex II, and requested the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their November 2017 sessions. Concerning (ii), GRE agreed to establish a task force to consider this issue in detail. The experts from the Netherlands and OICA volunteered to act as, respectively, Chair and Secretary of the task force.

20. The expert from GTB proposed to clarify the requirements for tell-tales indicating a failure of different lamps (GRE-77-16). The expert from OICA introduced a proposal to update paragraph 6.9.8. with the common current technologies, where the instrument panel remains permanently illuminated whenever the engine is running (GRE-77-20). The experts from Italy, Netherlands and UK indicated their support to GRE-77-16, but were of the view that the wording in GRE-77-20 would need improvement. The experts of Germany and SAE pointed out that both proposals had a link to Regulation No. 121 and that the Working Party on General Safety (GRSG), dealing with this Regulation, should be informed. Finally, GRE invited GTB and OICA to take account of the above comments and to submit an official document to the next session.

21. The expert from Poland, in his capacity of Chair of the Informal Working Group on Visibility, Glare and Levelling (IWG VGL), reported on the IWG activities (GRE-77-27). GRE noted that, at its next session, it should take a decision to extend the mandate of IWG VGL.

22. GRE recalled its previous considerations of the amendment proposals to Regulations Nos. 6 and 50 concerning direction indicators with sequential activation (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/76, para. 22 and Annex IV) and resumed the discussion on whether or not these proposals would require a new series of amendments and/or transitional provisions. The expert from OICA pointed out that the proposed amendments included also installation requirements which should be moved to Regulation No. 48. To this end, he introduced draft amendments to Regulation No. 48 as well as revised proposals for amendments to Regulations Nos. 6 and 50, including a new series of amendments and transitional provisions for Regulation No. 6 (GRE-76-26-Rev.1). Following an extensive discussion, GRE was of the view that a new series of amendments was not necessary, as the proposed amendments were of clarification nature and did not introduce new requirements. At the same time, GRE agreed that the industry would need a transition period to take into account, in the design process, the amended provisions and decided to introduce them by means of a Supplement with transitional provisions. GRE adopted the proposals for amendments to Regulations Nos. 6, 48 (05 and 06 series of amendments) and 50, as contained in Annex III, and requested the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2017 sessions.

23. On behalf of the Task Force on Electromagnetic Compatibility (TF EMC), the expert from OICA reported on the activities of TF EMC (GRE-77-21). GRE took note of the latest working draft of Regulation No. 10 (GRE-77-28) and noted that it would be officially submitted to the next session of GRE in October 2017 as a draft Supplement to the 05 series of amendments. The expert pointed out that TF EMC had identified two major changes which would require the consent of GRE: (i) change of the narrow band limit to make it consistent with the CISPR 12 Standard; and (ii) deletion of paragraph 3.1.9. The Chair invited GRE experts to provide feedback on these issues until July 2017.

24. The expert from Japan provided additional explanations to their proposals for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 53 regarding a new requirement for automatic switching from DRL to the headlamp (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2016/35 and GRE-77-19). The experts from India and Italy commented on the proposals (GRE-77-09 and GRE-77-17).

25. The experts from Italy, Netherlands and IMMA requested more time to study the proposals and comments. The expert from EC recalled that this matter had already been considered at three consecutive sessions of GRE without a conclusion. He called for the establishment of a task force to tackle the issue. The experts from Japan, India, Italy, Netherlands and IMMA expressed their willingness to participate in the task force. GRE hoped that it would be able to finalize the consideration of the proposals at the next session without establishing a task force. To this end, the Chair urged all experts to study the proposals and provide their comments prior to the next session.

26. GRE agreed to postpone to the next session consideration of GRE-77-08 by the expert from India.

27. No issues were considered under this agenda item.

28. GRE reverted to a proposal by the expert from GTB which aligns the conformity of production procedures with the other headlamp Regulations and which simplifies the test methods and requirements relating to conformity of production (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2016/28, GRE-77-07). GRE agreed with the proposal and decided to forward it to IWG SLR for inclusion into the new RID Regulation (see paras. 7 and 9 above).

29. The secretariat informed GRE that the Working Party on Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) had continued discussing document ECE/TRANS/WP.1/2015/2/Rev.3 prepared by France, Italy and Laser Europe and containing amendment proposals to Article 32 and Chapter II of Annex 5 on lighting and light-signalling. At its next session in September 2017, WP.1 is expected to finalize its considerations of ECE/TRANS/WP.1/2015/2/Rev.3.

30. The secretariat informed GRE about various activities of UNECE and of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety (ECE/TRANS/270, paras. 52-61).

31. The secretariat briefed GRE on the recent activities of the WP.29 Subgroup on UN Regulation No. 0 (IWVTA) and about the budgetary issues related to the development of an electronic database for the exchange of type approval documentation (DETA). GRB also noted that, in December 2016, the European Union had formally transmitted Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement to the United Nations Office for Legal Affairs (OLA) and that its entry into force was scheduled for mid-September 2017.

32. GRE was informed that WP.29, at its November 2016 session, had requested GRE, in cooperation with IWG on IWVTA, to clarify the individual Regulations on lighting and light-signalling devices with a requirement that light sources in these devices should be type approved pursuant to Regulations Nos. 37, 99 or 128 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1126, para. 62). In line with this request, the expert from EC proposed collective amendments to device Regulations and to Regulation No. 48 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/7, Informal document GRE-77-30-Rev.1). Following an in-depth discussion, GRE adopted the proposals for amendments, as laid down in Annex IV, and requested the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2017 sessions.

33. The expert from EC reiterated the importance of the Unique Identifier (UI) and DETA for the simplified lighting and light-signalling Regulations (GRE-77-31). According to him, the grouping of a number of devices into a single Regulation is not compatible with the traditional approach of using one marking per series of amendments to the Regulation. Thus, he argued in favour of mandatory, rather than optional, use of UI. GRE concurred with his view, but noted that the use of UI is conditional upon the availability of DETA. The expert of GTB also pointed out the unclear interpretation of Schedule 5 to the Revised 1958 Agreement with regard to the obligatory use of UI and DETA.

34. No information was reported on this topic.

35. GRE took note that, at the March 2017 session of WP.29, the representative of EU expressed concerns (WP.29-171-04) about the legal form of amendments relating to the heat test cycle requirement in Regulation No. 113, as contained in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/39. WP.29 had decided to refer this document back to GRE for further consideration (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1129, para. 73). GRE agreed that the underlying proposals should be introduced as a new series of amendments and adopted a revised text, as contained in Annex V. The secretariat was requested to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2017 sessions.

36. GRE took note that Mr. Ad de Visser (IEC) would no longer attend its sessions, due to his approaching retirement. GRE thanked him for his extensive contributions to the GRE work over many years and wished him success in the future.

37. GRE noted that the status reports of the GTB Working Groups would be presented at the next session.

38. GRE decided to keep the same structure of the provisional agenda for the next session.