World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations | Session 178 | 24-28 Jun 2019
Geneva
Agenda Item 7.
1997 Agreement (Periodical Technical Inspections)

104. The representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of IWG on Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI), presented the results of the fourteenth meeting of the group to the World Forum (Brussels, 28 May 2019). He recalled the IWG priorities and the timeline of activities, as well as the elements of coordination with other WP.29 activities, and emphasised those on in-service performance of vehicles including automated/autonomous vehicles.

105. The Co-Chair of IWG on PTI stated that the group had begun to discuss the structure of the general framework of in-service compliance assessment of vehicles and their components. The basic elements of the document could include in-service compliance assessment principles, a risk-analysis approach, and safety aspects. He indicated that the general view of the group was that vehicle self-diagnosis might play a role in continuous compliance, provided it is trustable [sic] and impartial, and that it would be necessary that UN Regulations consider the concept of continuous compliance.

105. The Co-Chair of IWG on PTI stated that the group had begun to discuss the structure of the general framework of in-service compliance assessment of vehicles and their components. The basic elements of the document could include in-service compliance assessment principles, a risk-analysis approach, and safety aspects. He indicated that the general view of the group was that vehicle self-diagnosis might play a role in continuous compliance, provided it is trustable and impartial, and that it would be necessary that UN Regulations consider the concept of continuous compliance.

106. He explained that further priorities of IWG on PTI included measures aimed at detecting tampering and malfunctions, e.g. in particle traps (PN measurement method) and that activities in this field were being developed in cooperation with GRPE. Among the IWG activities in innovative technologies, he stated that the Russian Federation had distributed a draft proposal for a new UN Rule devoted to uniform provisions for periodical technical inspections of accident emergency call systems (AECS), that would be discussed at its next meeting.

107. He reported that, as part of its activities to ensure consistency between the provisions of the 1968 Vienna Convention and the technical provisions for vehicles with the rules in the framework of the 1997 Agreement, IWG had recommended that in the 1968 Vienna Convention, the general framework of in-service compliance assessment of the vehicles and their components be updated.

108. The Co-Chair of IWG on PTI informed WP.29 about proceedings of the CITA International Conference (2–4 April 2019, Seoul) and its main outcome, the shift of the aim of the association, from periodical inspection to whole-life vehicle compliance. He concluded by stating that the next meeting of IWG on PTI would be held in September 2019 in the Netherlands.

109. The representative of the Netherlands, Chair of the GRPE, stated that in-service compliance was a topic of increasing priority in the GRPE agenda. He informed WP.29 that GRPE had invited the Co-Chair of IWG on PTI to the January 2020 session of the group to report on their activities. In addition, he stated that two documents prepared for IWG on PTI (by CITA), on potential improvements to UN Regulation No. 83, would be discussed at the upcoming GRPE session.

110. The representative of OICA questioned the use of the term “in-use compliance” in a context where the object of compliance is not defined.

111. The representative of CITA explained that continuous compliance is defined in the ToR of IWG on PTI, and that the terminology would be further expanded.

112. The representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of IWG on PTI, thanked the representative of OICA for his comments and the organization’s active participation and contribution to the work of IWG on PTI. He stated that further work would be developed to analyse the links and synergies between type approval and periodic technical inspections.

113. The representative of Sweden welcomed the work performed by IWG on PTI and also supported the development of PTI relevant provisions under the 1958 Agreement which are consistent with the provisions of the 1997 Agreement. He highlighted the current challenge of identifying what the vehicle should self-monitor to insure continuous roadworthiness. He highlighted the need to, within the work of GRs, explore the feasibility of introducing provisions, relevant for in-use requirements for vehicles, into the relevant UN Regulations.