15. The expert from Japan presented GRSG-129-20 to reintroduce ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2024/38, amended by GRSG-129-21, that improves the effectiveness of Lateral Protection Device (LPD) in preventing left- and right-turn collisions. He underlined the benefits of low ground clearance making LPD more effective by summarizing accidentology data. The expert from the United Kingdom recommended a careful assessment of accidentology, since many of the vehicles still in circulation required exemptions on side guards. He then introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2025/3 and GRSG-129-41 amending it, which propose different transitional provisions. The expert from Italy introduced GRSG-129-47-Rev.2, to ensure the correct interpretation of the exemptions on the height of LPD by the Type Approval Authorities. The expert from CLCCR introduced GRSG-129-46 urging that the proposal be paused pending further review, since an impact assessment is needed to confirm costs versus expected benefits. He added that the correct method involves calculating the angle between two ramps using the tangent function based on ground clearance and wheelbase. Finally, GRSG adopted GRSG-129-21-Rev.5, superseding GRSG-129-22, which incorporates the proposals from the experts of the United Kingdom and GRSG-129-47-Rev.2; see annex V of this report. The secretariat was requested to submit the amendments as the proposal of the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 73, for consideration and vote at the November 2025 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

36. GRSG recalled the evolution study of UN Regulation No. 73 from the previous session (GRSG-113-11-Rev.1). The expert from France proposed to improve the performance level of Lateral Protection Devices (LPD) for a better protection of vulnerable road users (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/5). The expert from the Russian Federation raised concerns on the lack of detailed statistical data on fatalities in the event of a lateral impact and on the impact of these amendments for vehicles in regions with specific climate and/or road conditions. The expert from OICA endorsed the concerns raised by the Russian Federation. He noted that the proposed geometrical dimensions might result in other difficulties or risks. He concluded that some derogation would be necessary for special purpose vehicles.

37. Following a detailed consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/5, GRSG welcomed the offer by France to organize a dedicated meeting prior to the forthcoming GRSG session to further discuss and clarify the remaining issues.

38. GRSG agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session in October 2018 and requested the secretariat to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/5 and GRSG-113-11-Rev.1 on the agenda as reference documents.

43. The expert from France informed GRSG that the proposal to improve the performance level of lateral protection devices for a better protection of vulnerable road users was in progress and that more time was needed for investigations. GRSG agreed to remove, in the meantime, the item from the agenda of the next session.

44. The expert from France presented an evolution study of UN Regulation No. 73 on lateral protection devices and proposed to review the test requirements with respect to the geometric and loading/displacement criteria (GRSG-113-11-Rev.1). Thus, he introduced GRSG-113-12 amending the geometric criteria and GRSG-113-13 amending the static force. GRSG welcomed the research study and the proposed amendments. GRSG noted general support and agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session in April 2018. The secretariat was requested to circulate GRSG-113-12 and GRSG-113-13 with official symbols and to keep GRSG-113-11-Rev.1 as a reference document.

44. Recalling the discussion of GRSG at its previous meetings, the expert from France stated that more time was needed to find an agreement on the proposal to improve the performance level of LPD for a better protection of vulnerable road users (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/18). GRSG agreed to defer the discussion on this subject to its next session.