Proposal to clarify the text of UN R14. The current text has produced differing interpretations among Technical Services with regard to which requirements apply to central seating positions in rear rows of category M1 and N1 vehicles and the minimum distance between two effective lower belt anchorages (L1 and L2). The proposed amendments clarify that a reduced minimum distance of 240 mm is only allowed in the case where there is only one central seating position (i.e. in a row of 3 seating positions). Rear seat rows with an even number of seats always shall have a distance of at least 350 mm. Given that it entails new requirements, the proposal is presented as a new series of amendments with transitional provisions (proposed through 2025).
79. The World Forum considered the draft amendments under agenda items 4.6.1 to 4.6.8, and recommended their submission to AC.1 for voting.
80. The Chair of GRSP presented proposals on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/44 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/45 under agenda items 4.6.9 and 4.6.10, to amend UN Regulations No. 14 and No. 129, in the spirit of providing the highest level of safety for children.
81. The proposal on amendments to UN Regulation No. 129 was commended by CI as the last phase for a full replacement of UN Regulation No. 44, which had not been designed to fully avoid the wrong use of child restraint systems. He recalled that the shortcomings of UN Regulation No. 44, had been raised by consumer groups ten years ago which had led to the decision to stop further developing UN Regulation No. 44 and to start a new UN Regulation. He declared that his organization and ANEC were satisfied by UN Regulations No. 129 that entails not only better protection of children, but makes Child Restraint Systems (CRS) easier to use. He expressed his thank to all the stakeholders involved, and in particular Mr. P. Castaing, Chair of the IWG, for their contributions to this result. He recommended the phasing out of UN Regulation No. 44 as early as possible to avoid confusion among consumers and allow only UN Regulation No. 129 that offers the highest level of protection. He clarified that since 1 September 2017, integral ISOFIX CRS were no longer approved under UN Regulation No. 44, and this would be the case also for non-integral Group 2 and Group 2/3 seats from 1 September 2019. Finally, he announced that for belted integral systems his organization would submit a proposal at the GRSP 2018 December session to stop type approvals according to UN Regulation No. 44.
13. The expert from Germany introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2017/23 on the minimum distance between the two effective lower belt anchorages L1 and L2, which aims to clarify that rear seat rows could only have one central seating position with a reduced minimum distance of 240 mm and 350 mm for the other rear seats. GRSP adopted the proposal, not amended. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 14, for consideration and vote at the June 2018 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.
15. The expert from Germany also introduced GRSP-61-18, aimed at clarifying that rear seat rows can only have one central seating position with a reduced minimum distance of 240 mm and 350 mm for the other rear seats. The expert from EC raised a time reservation and suggested inserting transitional provisions as well. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its December 2017 session and requested the secretariat to distribute GRSP-61-18 with an official symbol.
| GRSP-61-18 | |
| WP.29/2018/44 |