5. Recalling the discussion at the previous GRSG session on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/20, the expert from Switzerland presented GRSG-112-02-Rev.1 proposing to simplify the provisions of UN Regulation No. 107 by inserting references to parts 1 and 2 of the forthcoming updated European standards EN 16584:2015 on railway applications for persons with reduced mobility (GRSG-112-03 and GRSG-112-04). The expert from France preferred to leave these requirements out of the Regulation to avoid possible inconsistencies with existing national requirements. A number of experts preferred to keep some of the requirements proposed in GRSG-111-35 within the Regulation, but to improve the wording of the provisions concerned. Following the discussion, GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/20 as amended by GRSG-112-35 and agreed to submit it to WP.29 as a new 08 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 107. Thus, the expert from OICA volunteered to prepare, in due time, a revised official document for consideration and final adoption at the next GRSG session, including the proposed transitional provisions (i.e. June 2020 for new types of vehicles and June 2022 for all existing types).
5. The expert from Germany recalled the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/20 to improve the accommodation and accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility. He added that GRSG had adopted the document in principle at its previous session as reproduced in GRSG-112-35 subject to the insertion of transitional provisions. Thus, the expert from OICA introduced GRSG-113-15-Rev.1. The expert from Sweden underlined the need to delete the amendments to Annex 8, paragraph 3.2.4. GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/20 as reproduced in Annex V to the session report (based on GRSG-113-15-Rev.2) and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft 08 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 107 for consideration at their March 2018 sessions.
56. Upon the request of the World Forum and the IWG on IWVTA, GRSG considered the general guidelines for UN regulatory procedures and transitional provisions in UN Regulations (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/107, Add.1 and Corr.1). GRSG endorsed the guideline documents and recommended the IWG on IWVTA to consider further amendments as reflected in GRSG-113-40.
8. The expert from Germany proposed amendments to UN Regulation No. 107 to improve the accommodation and accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/20 and Corr.1) including new testing provisions to ensure visual contrast of some safety elements and the installation of loudspeakers. The expert from Japan introduced GRSG-111-28 on the efforts in his country to set up legal conditions for barrier-free public transport systems. He presented GRSG-111-36 which outlines the specifications for non-step buses. The expert from UITP welcomed all these efforts, but reminded GRSG of the necessity to avoid design restrictions and to limit such provisions only for certain vehicles of category M3. The expert from the United Kingdom endorsed the position. A number of experts were of the opinion that all aspects linked to the environment and health (such as hygienic conditions, colour specifications, visibility and contrast issues) should be regulated on a national/regional level. The expert from Belgium preferred to insert such provisions, if necessary, as only optional requirements.
9. GRSG noted the observations by IRU that the new amendments proposed by Germany might create an additional burden on road transport operators without increasing road safety (GRSG-111-16). The experts from CLCCR and OICA shared these concerns. The Chair invited all experts to send their written comments to the expert from Germany. GRSG agreed to resume consideration, at its next session in April 2017, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/20 as reflected in GRSG-111-35 on the basis of a revised document to be submitted by Germany.
18. The expert from OICA proposed to clarify the application of the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 138 (GRB-67-09). The experts from China, France, Germany, OICA and WBU commented on the proposal. The secretariat pointed out that it had already rectified the text of paragraph 6.2.6. which had been incorrectly reproduced in a revised consolidated version published on the WP.29 website (E/ECE/324/Rev.2/Add.137/Rev.1 – E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.2/Add.137/Rev.1). GRB invited OICA to take into account the comments received and to prepare an official document for consideration at the next session. GRB also requested that the earlier OICA proposals for transitional provisions (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2017/7) be included into this new document.
29. The experts from India (GRE-78-25) and the Netherlands commented on the technical part of the TF EMC proposals. GRE was of the view that new transitional provisions would have to be submitted as an official document and should be aligned with the Draft General Guidelines for United Nations regulatory procedures and transitional provisions in UN Regulations, which were expected to be adopted by WP.29 at its November 2017 session (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/107, see agenda item 9, para. 36). GRE requested TF EMC to take into account the above considerations and to submit to the next session a revised consolidated proposal, possibly as a new series of amendments to Regulation No. 10.
36. At the request of WP.29 at its June 2017 session, GRE reviewed the Draft General Guidelines for United Nations regulatory procedures and transitional provisions in UN Regulations (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/107). In particular, GRE experts expressed various views on para. 6.1. on the application of additional national provisions for vehicle characteristics that were not covered by the scope of a UN Regulation. The Chair invited GRE experts to consider the Draft Guidelines and to submit their further comments, if any, to the secretariat and/or to IWG IWVTA as soon as possible.
33. Upon the request of WP.29, GRB considered the Draft General Guidelines for United Nations regulatory procedures and transitional provisions in UN Regulations (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/107) prepared by IWG IWVTA. The expert from OICA pinpointed provision 6.1 (in square brackets) which stipulated that “a Contracting Party may apply additional national provisions for vehicle characteristics not covered by the scope of a UN Regulation”. According the expert, this provision seemed to be counterproductive for the harmonization of vehicle Regulations and should be clarified. The Chair invited GRB experts to consider the Draft Guidelines and to submit their comments, if any, to the secretariat and/or to IWG IWVTA by 20 October 2017.
49. GRSG noted the adoption by WP.29/AC.1 of UN Regulation No. 0 on IWVTA (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/108) and its expected date of entry into force on 19 July 2018. GRSG also noted the adoption by WP.29 of (i) the explanation document on UN Regulation No. 0 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/109), (ii) the general guidelines for UN regulatory procedures and transitional provisions in UN Regulations (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/107, Add.1 and Corr.1 as amended by para. 53 of the report ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1135) and (iii) the “Question&Answer” document on Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/131).
52. The representative of Japan, Chair of the IWG on IWVTA, presented the Draft General Guidelines for United Nation regulatory procedures and transitional provisions in UN Regulations (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/107, Corr.1 and Add.1). These guidelines aim to streamline future work in the subsidiary bodies, to clarify the procedures following Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement and to ensure “good regulatory practice” by providing clarifications to avoid divergence in the understanding of Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement and the application of UN Regulations. The World Forum noted the intention of the IWG on IWVTA to further consider a number of amendments recommended by Contracting Parties and by the Working Parties for consideration at the next sessions of WP.29.
53. WP.29 adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/107, Corr.1 and Add.1, as amended below:
“Paragraph 6.1., shall be deleted.
Remove all square brackets in the document, and keep the proposed text.”
53 bis. The representative of the Russian Federation noted that the proposal to delete item 6.1. would require additional elaboration verifying legal consequences, therefore the Russian Federation reserved its position on the issue.