World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations | Session 183 | 9-11 Mar 2021
Web conference
Agenda Item 7.1.
Status of the 1997 Agreement

103. WP.29 noted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1074/Rev.16 on the status of the agreement, including the status of the UN Rules annexed to the agreement, the list of the contracting parties to the agreement and of their administrative departments.

104. The representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI) reported to WP.29 on the activities of the IWG at its nineteenth and twentieth sessions, which took place on 4 February and 1 March, 2021, in a virtual format. He informed WP.29 that the work of the IWG had focused on the development of four draft documents: (a) the framework document on in-service compliance assessment of vehicles, including automated/autonomous vehicles and their components; (b) the draft UN Rule on Accident Emergency Call Systems (AECS); © guidance for road-side technical inspections and enforcement; (d) measures for detection of tampering. He explained that the framework document would be further developed by a subgroup of the IWG on PTI.

105. The Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI sought guidance from WP.29 on elements of its activities related to the framework document on in-service compliance which aimed to address market surveillance mechanisms for the robust verification of compliance of the automotive products. He also requested approval from WP.29 for the extension of the mandate of the IWG on PTI.

106. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland suggested editorial correction to the subparagraph (iii) on page 1 to avoid confusions on the possible performance level of a vehicle during its lifetime.

107. The representative of the Netherlands, Chair of GRPE, supported the views expressed on the importance of vehicle performance not only at the time of type approval or when the vehicle is new but also during its lifetime. He mentioned topics addressed by GRPE in that sense, such as durability, in service conformity, real driving emissions determination etc.

108. The representative of OICA confirmed the importance of Periodic Technical Inspection to ensure that vehicles, as long as they remain on the road, are as safe and clean as possible. He however could not agree with several statements in inf. doc. WP29-183-18 and sought guidance on the deliveries related to potential activities on in-service compliance. He mentioned that the document was confusing the role of Type Approval/Conformity of Production testing and PTI testing and considered that the activities of IWG-PTI should be focused on the development of requirements for PTI under the 1997 Agreement, without duplicating or contradicting the requirements of the 1958 Agreement. The expert from CITA, Secretary to the IWG on PTI, explained that some concepts presented to date were still in development and therefore not clearly defined, but that the group could deliver definition that would be valuable for WP.29 work.

109. The World Forum took note of the information provided by the Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI. WP.29 provided guidance for drafting the revised terms of reference of the group. WP.29 considered that the IWG on PTI would not be the primarily responsible group that would deliberate considerations related to market surveillance in relation with the 1958 Agreement and the general in-service compliance.

110. WP.29 approved the request for extension of the mandate of the IWG on PTI until March 2022 and invited the IWG to deliver revised Terms of Reference.

Documentation
WP.29-183-18 Report to WP.29 about results of the 19th and 20th meetings of the Informal Working Group on Periodical Technical Inspections