Mr. Puglisi introduced the revised timeline pointing out that it shows an optimistic scenario and that the final result will be determined by the commitment and active participation from CPs and NGOs. He explained that the target is to deliver the complete package (i.e. simplified Regulations and Resolution) for GRE-76 in October 2016 for adoption by WP.29 at its March 2017 session.

Mr. Puglisi clarified that the package for Light Sources (i.e. simplified R-37, R-99, R-128 and Resolution) is not part of this timeline as it was submitted already to GRE-74 and, if adopted by GRE, it is expected to be on the WP.29 agenda in March 2016.

Mr. Bauckhage asked whether it is possible to send the whole package of all simplified documents at once and what are the consequences in case just one document will not be adopted.
Mr. Loccufier will verify these aspects with the ECE secretariat.

Mr. Bauckhage furthermore pointed out that the date of entry into force of all documents (i.e. simplified Regulations and Resolution) shall be the same.

Mr. Rovers recalled that in case of an amendment to a Regulation, following the approval of WP.29, the proposal is still subject to formal adoption by AC.1 before being submitted to the UN Secretary-General in New York who shall give notification of this amendment to the CPs applying the Regulation. If within 6 months from the notification by the Secretary-General no more than 1/3 of the CPs will be in disagreement with the amendment, the amendment is adopted (see Art. 12 of the 1958 Agreement for further details).

With regards to the Resolution, Mr. Rovers informed that the text adopted by WP.29 does not need any further approval and can be used immediately. The management of this 7-9 months of difference in the process will require good cooperation between the Secretariat in Geneva and the UN in New York in order to synchronize the availability of the Resolution and the simplified Regulations.

Mr. Rovers observed that the first package, dealing with the simplified light sources Regulations and the associated Resolution, will be a good test case on how to proceed in the future with the rest of the simplified Regulations.

Concerning the date from when the text of a Resolution can be considered “in force”, Mr. Bauckhage asked for clarifications about the following options:
- The date when WP.29 takes the decision
- The date when the report of WP.29 is formally adopted and/or published on the ECE website
- The date when the Resolution is published on the ECE website
Mr. Loccufier will verify these aspects with the ECE secretariat.

Mr. Manz asked clarifications about the use of dynamic references and how to manage them from a legal point of view, and recommended to address this matter at GRE-74. Mr. Loccufier reported that the EC is not in favour to use dynamic references but agreed to discuss this subject within GRE. Mr. Bauckhage informed that, from the Secretariat’s point of view, it should be possible to manage dynamic references without problems.

Mr. Puglisi informed that the current schedule of work (see SLR-05-12) is no longer aligned with the adopted ToR as reproduced in Annex VIII to the GRE-72 Report (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/72). Moreover in the ToR it was foreseen the possibility to merge regulations containing similar or identical provisions but this informal group subsequently reached the conclusion that the merging of regulation might not necessarily be the best solution (see “Conclusion #6” taken at the 3rd meeting, doc. SLR-03-14). The meeting acknowledged the above diversions from the ToR but agreed for the time being not to request any amendment to the ToR.