19. Referring to the discussion held under agenda item 7 (see para. 13 above), the expert from the Netherlands introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2015/14, calling for increased energy absorption capabilities on the rear part of seat backs, taking into account the increased forward displacement of the rear occupants restrained by new safety-belts equipped with improved load limiter devices. However, he proposed to defer the discussion at the December 2015 session of GRSP, since the proposal would involve a parallel amendment to UN Regulation No. 16 to extend contact requirements of occupants against rear seats backs. GRSP agreed to resume discussion at its next session on the basis of a new proposal as an outcome of an exchange of views among the experts from the Netherlands, CLEPA, OICA and other interested parties.

24. The expert from the Netherlands informed GRSP on the progress of work of the “Task Force on Energy Absorption of Seats” (former group of interested experts on new restraint system technology). He clarified that the group met recently in Paris and was still working to update ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2015/27. He added that the proposal would cover cases with more forward displacement of the restrained occupants in the fitment of new safety-belts equipped with load limiter devices. GRSP also noted that the task force would continue work as well on parallel amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 21, 25 and 80.

26. The expert from CLEPA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2015/18, aimed at clarifying the provisions for dynamic testing of the rear seat restraint systems. She explained that the proposal aimed at updating requirements that were originally designed for seating positions that did not yet require three-point safety-belts; she added that the situation had developed with the introduction of load limiters that allowed for further displacement of occupants. Comments from GRSP experts on the proposal were incorporated into GRSP-58-35 during discussion. The expert from the Netherlands introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2015/27 that was also linked to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2015/18 because the of displacement of occupants due to safety belt load limiters that were installed on seats other than front seats. He explained that the proposal needed corresponding amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 21, 25 and 80. The expert from OICA argued that the proposal should address just those seating positions that needed energy absorption requirements. The expert from CLEPA also underlined the need to focus the energy dissipation tests on the parts of back seats where actual impacts occur.

27. Finally, GRSP agreed to establish a group of interested experts, led by the expert from the Netherlands, on new restraint system technology to develop provisions on this matter for all the relevant UN Regulations. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its May 2016 session and to refer ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2015/18, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2015/27 and GRSP-58-35 to the group of interested experts.