Comments from NGV Global on the proposals from Italy (GRSG-112-28) and Germany (GRSG-112-33) regarding the testing and inspection of CNG cylinders.

39. The expert from Germany introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 to improve the specifications for the installation and inspection of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders or of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks and their accessories. GRSG welcomed the proposal and noted that WP.29 and the Administrative Committee of the 1997 Agreement were expected to consider and adopt ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 on a new UN Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using CNG and/or LNG in their propulsion system. The proposal from Germany received a number of comments, especially on the need to align the recommendations for the periodical technical inspections of such vehicles with the specifications for the re-qualification of the CNG cylinders or LNG tanks. GRSG noted the comments received by the experts from NGV Global (GRSG-113-03) and OICA (GRSG-113-20).

Alternative solution from OICA to the German proposal GRSG/2017/16 regarding visibility/access requirements for PRV/PRD-related components in order to improve maintenance and reduce the risk of critical failures of pressure relief devices.

28. The expert from Germany presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 that amends the provisions of UN Regulation No. 67 to improve the specifications for the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connecting the pressure relief valve with the gaseous phase for multi-valve in the vehicle tanks and those for the installation and inspection of LPG containers and their accessories. The expert from OICA introduced GRSG-113-18 on modifications to the aging test requirements of some rubber materials and on further transitional provisions. The expert from AEGPL endorsed the proposal to avoid a ban of some technologies and materials. Both proposals received a number of comments.

29. GRSG agreed on the need to revise the requirements on pipes for multivalves on LPG containers and to keep, at the same time, the testing provisions technology neutral. Thus, GRSG agreed to set up a Task Force under the leadership of Germany to find a compromise and to prepare a revised proposal for consideration at the next GRSG. It was also agreed to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 on the agenda as a reference document. The secretariat was requested, in the absence of a revised proposal by the task force, to circulate GRSG-113-18 with an official symbol.

Proposal to improve provisions for the visual inspection of CNG cylinders, LNG tanks, and their accessories. Germany has proposed (document GRSG-112-33) the prohibition of components or parts of protective housing which must be disassembled during inspection. Italy has proposed (document GRSG-112-28) that visual inspection of cylinders Include access inside any protective covers of the cylinders. Based upon field experience, OICA believes that corrosion damage between support straps, brackets, and pads and the cylinder can be readily identified during visual inspection. Such corrosion requires cylinder replacement. Therefore, OICA proposes clarifications to inspection procedures to address the German and Italian concerns.

39. The expert from Germany introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 to improve the specifications for the installation and inspection of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders or of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks and their accessories. GRSG welcomed the proposal and noted that WP.29 and the Administrative Committee of the 1997 Agreement were expected to consider and adopt ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 on a new UN Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using CNG and/or LNG in their propulsion system. The proposal from Germany received a number of comments, especially on the need to align the recommendations for the periodical technical inspections of such vehicles with the specifications for the re-qualification of the CNG cylinders or LNG tanks. GRSG noted the comments received by the experts from NGV Global (GRSG-113-03) and OICA (GRSG-113-20).

Proposal to improve the specifications for LPG multi-valves in response to an LPG vehicle fire that resulted in injuries to first responders. A German Type Approval Authority (KBA) analysis concluded that the hose connecting the PRV/PRD of the multi-valve to the gaseous phase was damaged and hose-fragments blocked both PRV and PRD such that pressure could not be adequately reduced. The PRV and PRD were activated, but the fragments considerably reduced the effective section of the relevant tubing and prevented the release of pressure. This proposal aims to prevent such occurrences.

38. The expert from OICA recalled the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/2 and informed GRSG that parts of the proposal had been adopted and that the remaining parts had recently been reviewed by TF on gas-fuelled vehicle regulations. The expert from Germany reported on the good TF work progress force. He presented GRSG-116-05 on the outcome of TF discussions on UN Regulation No. 67. The expert from LG Europe proposed to remove the requirements for the use of an odorant in n-pentane: such requirements were not necessary and not requested in any test in the UN Regulations or in international standards (GRSG-116-39). After discussion, GRSG agreed on the revised proposal GRSG-116-05-Rev.1 and adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/2 as reproduced in Annex III to this report. The secretariat was requested to submit the revised proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 2 to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 67 for consideration at their November 2019 sessions.

Proposals to amend or supersede the proposal in document GRSG-116-05. Liquid Gas Europe opposes the proposal to add an odorant in the n-pentane.

Proposal to improve the specifications for LPG multi-valves in response to an LPG vehicle fire that resulted in injuries to first responders. A German Type Approval Authority (KBA) analysis concluded that the hose connecting the PRV/PRD of the multi-valve to the gaseous phase was damaged and hose-fragments blocked both PRV and PRD such that pressure could not be adequately reduced. The PRV and PRD were activated, but the fragments considerably reduced the effective section of the relevant tubing and prevented the release of pressure. This proposal aims to prevent such occurrences.

28. The expert from Germany presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 that amends the provisions of UN Regulation No. 67 to improve the specifications for the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connecting the pressure relief valve with the gaseous phase for multi-valve in the vehicle tanks and those for the installation and inspection of LPG containers and their accessories. The expert from OICA introduced GRSG-113-18 on modifications to the aging test requirements of some rubber materials and on further transitional provisions. The expert from AEGPL endorsed the proposal to avoid a ban of some technologies and materials. Both proposals received a number of comments.

29. GRSG agreed on the need to revise the requirements on pipes for multivalves on LPG containers and to keep, at the same time, the testing provisions technology neutral. Thus, GRSG agreed to set up a Task Force under the leadership of Germany to find a compromise and to prepare a revised proposal for consideration at the next GRSG. It was also agreed to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 on the agenda as a reference document. The secretariat was requested, in the absence of a revised proposal by the task force, to circulate GRSG-113-18 with an official symbol.

25. The expert from Germany recalled the outcome of the task force (para. 23 above) on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 and presented GRSG-114-09 proposing amendments to the Regulation. GRSG noted general support and some comments. Finally, GRSG considered a revised proposal (GRSG-114-09-Rev.1) and adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/16 as reproduced in Annex V to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 67 for consideration at their November 2018 sessions.

Proposal for a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 110 to improve the specifications for the installation and inspection of CNG cylinders and of LNG tanks and their accessories. This proposal addresses incidents caused by cylinder corrosion. The proposal aims to reinforce the requirements for adequate cylinder protection and for sufficient access to the cylinder and its accessories to allow regular visual inspection.

39. The expert from Germany introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 to improve the specifications for the installation and inspection of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders or of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks and their accessories. GRSG welcomed the proposal and noted that WP.29 and the Administrative Committee of the 1997 Agreement were expected to consider and adopt ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 on a new UN Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using CNG and/or LNG in their propulsion system. The proposal from Germany received a number of comments, especially on the need to align the recommendations for the periodical technical inspections of such vehicles with the specifications for the re-qualification of the CNG cylinders or LNG tanks. GRSG noted the comments received by the experts from NGV Global (GRSG-113-03) and OICA (GRSG-113-20).

40. The expert from Italy proposed to amend in Annex 3A of the Regulation the test requirements for the periodic requalification of CNG cylinders to avoid structural failures during their service life (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29). The expert from the Netherlands raised his concern on the access by inspection centres to detailed provisions for the inspection of such cylinders. Thus, he underlined the need that cylinder manufacturers should make available cylinder inspection manuals. GRSG welcomed the offer by Germany to take the lead of a Task Force to review ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29. It was agreed to also involve the International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA) in the discussion and to resume consideration of this subject at its next GRSG session in April 2018.

28. The expert from Germany introduced GRSG-114-10 on the outcome of the task force on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 which was on improving the provisions for installing and inspecting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks and their accessories. The expert from Italy preferred a more accurate inspection of such containers without the removal of structural parts (GRSG-114-19). After discussion, GRSG agreed to add design requirements that allow easy periodical technical inspections. The expert from the Netherlands requested that container manufacturers provide more detailed recommendations for periodical technical inspections and for periodic requalification tests, and requested that these recommendations be stored and made available for all inspections.

30. Finally, GRSG considered a revised proposal (GRSG-114-10-Rev.1) and adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 as reproduced below. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 110 for consideration at their November 2018 sessions.

Insert a new paragraph 18.1.6.1., to read:

Proposal to require, in instances where ogive protective covers are fitted to a cylinder, that the covers be removed before conducting the impact damage (drop) test.

40. The expert from Italy proposed to amend in Annex 3A of the Regulation the test requirements for the periodic requalification of CNG cylinders to avoid structural failures during their service life (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29). The expert from the Netherlands raised his concern on the access by inspection centres to detailed provisions for the inspection of such cylinders. Thus, he underlined the need that cylinder manufacturers should make available cylinder inspection manuals. GRSG welcomed the offer by Germany to take the lead of a Task Force to review ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29. It was agreed to also involve the International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA) in the discussion and to resume consideration of this subject at its next GRSG session in April 2018.

31. The expert from Italy, in reference to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/29, proposed to amend Annex 3A of the Regulation, i.e. the test requirements for the periodic requalification of CNG cylinders to avoid structural failures during their service life (GRSG-114-32), including new provisions for a mandatory impact damage test for all cylinders without the use of shoulder pads. GRSG welcomed the specific test reports provided by Italy on CNG4 cylinders (GRSG-114-07, GRSG-114-14, GRSG-114-15). GRSG noted concerns and comments. Finally, GRSG agreed to refer it to the task force and to resume consideration of this subject at its next session on the basis of a revised official document.