7. The expert from the Informal Working Group Simplification of the Lighting and Light-Signalling Regulations" (IWG SLR) reported on their progress (GRE-82-39). He requested GRE to provide guidance on the future development of UN Regulation No. [149] concerning the light sources and reduction in the number of beams. GRE agreed with the approach envisaged by IWG SLR.

8. GRE was informed that the three new simplified UN Regulations Nos. [148] on Light-Signalling Devices (LSD), [149] on Road Illumination Devices (RID) and [150] on Retro-Reflective Devices (RRD) were expected to enter into force on 15 November 2019. GRE noted that IWG SLR had identified errors inadvertently introduced in the text of the new UN Regulation No. [149] and that a correction had been submitted to the WP.29 session in November 2019 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/125, GRE-82-02). GRE supported the correction.

9. The expert from IWG SLR introduced corrections of mistakes and omissions in the text of the new UN Regulations Nos. [148], [149] and [150] (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/24, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/25 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/26). GRE adopted the corrections and mandated the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and the Administrative Committee (AC.1) for consideration at their March 2020 sessions. GRE also requested the secretariat to verify with the United Nations Office for Legal Affairs (OLA) whether the adopted corrections could be introduced in the form of corrigenda to the original versions of the three new UN Regulations.

11. At the proposal to IWG SLR, GRE adopted further corrections to UN Regulation No. [148] (GRE-82-27, GRE-82-28, GRE-82-29 and Annex II) and requested the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their March 2020 sessions.

12. GRE also noted draft consolidated proposals for amendments to UN Regulation Nos. [148] and [150] (GRE-82-30 and GRE-82-26). The Chair invited GRE experts to review these documents and send their comments to IWG SLR.

13. The expert from Italy proposed to correct a wrong reference in UN Regulation No. [149] (GRE-82-33). GRE adopted the correction (Annex III) and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their March 2020 sessions.

14. GRE recalled that, according to the mandate of IWG SLR, the requirements in the original series of the three new UN Regulations should be totally identical to the requirements in the device UN Regulations which had been frozen in the course of the simplification process. Therefore, GRE was of the view that eventual discrepancies should be corrected by means of supplements or corrigenda to the original series of the new UN Regulations, while substantial changes should only be introduced by the 01 series of amendments and supplements therein.

15. The expert of IWG SLR recalled that, in the course of the SLR process, the device UN Regulation had been “frozen” by introducing new series of amendments which did not require changes in the approval number (TRANS/WP.29/815, para. 82). He requested the secretariat to include a corresponding footnote in the final consolidated versions of the device UN Regulations.

16. The experts from France and Germany presented an updated proposal for amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 48 and 148, which introduce conditions for the use of logos of the vehicle or body manufacturer inside the illuminating surface of a signalling lamp (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/28 and GRE-82-32). The expert from CLEPA proposed adding the logo of the lamp manufacturer (GRE-82-20). The expert from OICA suggested a modified definition of “manufacturer logo” (GRE-82-36).

17. Several experts expressed their preference to completely prohibit the use of logos inside the lamps on safety concerns, while some others pointed out that road safety would not be compromised, as the lamps should meet all requirements in the respective UN Regulations. Some experts wondered whether the use of letters inside the logos was allowed. Following an in-depth discussion, GRE agreed that the “manufacturer logo” definition would need further clarification and invited the experts from France and Germany to submit a revised proposal for consideration at the next session. Pending the outcome of this discussion, GRE invited type approval authorities to refrain from granting type approvals to signalling lamps with logos inside the illuminating surface.

18. The expert from Germany presented an updated proposal which introduces requirements for testing the sun load impact into UN Regulation No. [148] (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/22). He further indicated that these amendments should be introduced by a new 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. [148], together with transitional provisions. The proposal received comments from Japan (GRE-82-38). The experts from the United Kingdom, CLEPA and OICA requested justification for additional testing in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/22. Finally, GRE invited the expert from Germany, in cooperation with Japan, CLEPA and OICA, to complement the document with transitional provisions and research justification.

19. The expert from IWG SLR reported on the challenges of implementing the Unique Identifier (UI) in the new simplified UN Regulations (GRE-82-31) in the light of the progress of IWG on Database for the Exchange of Type Approval Documentation (DETA). GRE reiterated its view that for lighting and light-signalling devices, approval markings should be replaced by UI. At the same time, GRE noted that the access rights currently proposed by IWG DETA would not be sufficient for the efficient use of UI for the lighting and light-signalling UN Regulations. GRE mandated IWG SLR and the Chair to bring the specific GRE needs for the DETA access rights to the attention of IWG DETA and WP.29 at their forthcoming sessions in November 2019.