Proposal to expand the scope of the regulation by deleting paragraph 1.2.2. which allows for the exclusion of “vehicles designed and constructed for special purposes where it is not possible, for practical reasons, to fit lateral protection devices” from the text. The UK submits that paragraphs 13 and 16 of the regulation provide specific provisions that address this situation whereas the exclusion clause allows for a broader interpretation that unnecessarily limits the use of lateral protection devices. Moreover, exemptions may still be accorded at the national level.
27. The expert from CLCCR introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/18 amending the scope of the Regulation to ensure that as many vehicles as possible were fitted with a lateral protection device and preferred to insert derogations for some niche products (GRSG-110-20-Rev.1). The expert from the United Kingdom raised concerns and preferred to keep the amendments as proposed in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/2 which allows Contracting Parties to object or accept such lateral protection devices. GRSG noted a number of comments on and general support for ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/18.
28. Finally, GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/18 and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their March 2017 sessions, as draft Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 73.
27. The expert from UK reminded GRSG about the purpose of document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/2 (based on GRSG-109-17) amending the scope of the Regulation to ensure that as many vehicles as possible were fitted with a lateral protection device. The expert from CLCCR supported the proposal in principle, but preferred to insert derogations for some niche products (GRSG-110-20-Rev.1). GRSG noted a number of comments.
28. GRSG agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session and requested the secretariat to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/2 and GRSG-110-20-Rev.1 on the agenda as reference documents. Thus, the expert from UK volunteered to prepare a revised document for a final review at the forthcoming GRSG session, taking into account the comments received.
30. Recalling the purpose of GRSG-108-32 presented at the previous session of GRSG as well as the discussion of GRSG under agenda item 7 (para. 24 above) on UN Regulation No. 58, the expert from UK introduced GRSG-109-17 proposing to delete paragraph 1.2.2. from the scope of the Regulation to ensure that as many vehicles as possible were fitted with a lateral protection device. The proposal received general support on the principles. However, a number of experts raised concerns on the application of a number of exemptions for special purpose vehicles listed in the Regulation. GRSG noted that such vehicles could be exempted by national/regional legislation.
31. GRSG agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session and requested the secretariat to circulate GRSG-109-17 with an official symbol.
| GRSG-109-17 | |
| GRSG-110-20 | |
| GRSG/2016/18 |