Australia wishes to accept the new full-width rigid barrier crash test regulation (expected as UN R137) as an alternative to its ADR 69/00; however, Australia wishes to avoid possible confusion over the use of an airbag deactivation device (such as used to turn off an airbag when a child seat is used in the front seat). Therefore, Australia proposes to clarify the provisions of UN R16 to avoid misunderstandings or misuse of such devices along the lines of requirements found in Euro NCAP and US FMVSS 208.
24. The expert from Australia introduced GRSP-58-14 proposing to introduce a provision on airbag de-activation switches; this would be in line with EuroNCAP requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its May 2016 session and experts were recommended to provide comments on GRSP-58-14 to the expert from Australia before the end of January 2016 to allow the submission of a revised official proposal.
23. Finally, GRSP agreed to defer discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2016/13 to its December 2016 session due to lack of time.
16. The expert from Australia introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2016/13 aimed at introducing provisions for airbag deactivation devices (where fitted). The expert from France argued that the proposed requirements should provide the right information for airbag deactivation and avoid [erroneous] reactivation of the airbag when e.g. a rearward-facing CRS is installed on the front passenger seat. Finally, he required data rationales to justify the proposal. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its May 2017 session and requested experts to provide their comments on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2016/13 to the expert from Australia.
19. GRSP resumed discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2016/13 which aims at introducing provisions for airbag deactivation devices (where fitted). The expert from Australia requested that more statistical data was needed to support the proposal and reiterated his invitation to experts to provide information, otherwise he would withdraw the proposal at the December 2017 session of GRSP.
16. Finally, the expert from Australia, withdrew ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2016/13.