Latest developments from the GTR 7 informal group to implement the Phase 2 development of the GTR. Phase 2 addresses a new measurement procedure for the effective height of the head restraint and introduction of the Biofidelic Rear Impact Device (BioRID).

4. The expert from Germany introduced GRSP-64-38, to present the proposed Amendment 2 (GRSP-64-39-Rev.1 superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2018/27) to UN GTR No. 7 (Phase 2 of the UN GTR on head restraints), jointly prepared with the experts from Japan and the Netherlands. He explained that the proposal still has several items, in several square brackets, to be solved. However, he added that the draft amendment would introduced five main changes to the UN GTR:

1. Procedure for establishing the height of the head restraint base on the head contact rather than at its absolute height;
2. Height measurement test procedure;
3. Deletion of the backset measurement test procedure using the H-point machine method;
4. Introduction of the backset measurement test procedure using the R-point method; and
5. Introduction of the dynamic performance test procedure, by using the Biomechanical Rear Impact Dummy (BioRID) and empirical criteria instead of biomechanical (due to the absence of an absolute medical definition of whiplash) to establish seat performance.

Proposal to specify a head restraint height between 720 mm and 830 mm including a new method for measuring the effective height of head restraints, use of the Biofidelic Rear Impact Device (BioRID II) test dummy, and to improve the overall text. This proposal also eliminates the backset measurement test procedure using the HRMD method.

4. The expert from Germany introduced GRSP-65-32, to present the proposed Amendment 2 (GRSP-65-24 superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2019/5) to UN GTR No. 7 (Phase 2 of the UN GTR on head restraints), jointly prepared with the experts from Japan and the Netherlands. He explained that the proposal has removed several square brackets and therefore solving the main issues. He added that the draft amendment would introduce: (a) injury criteria focusing on Neck Injury Criteria (NIC) namely upper and lower neck flexion and extension, (b) BioRID as an option for contracting parties to Hybrid III still and © procedure for establishing the height of the head restraint based on the head contact rather than at its absolute height. He clarified that the proposal that would need still some changes, will be complemented by a proposal of Addendum 1 to the Mutual Resolution No. 1 to insert drawings and specifications of the BioRID, to be presented at the December 2019 session of GRSP. Moreover, the experts from France and Russian Federation announced that they would not need the translation of the BioRID manual or other dummy specification and can be dealt with in English only. GRSP noted that all these specifications, when they would be submitted, shall need a disclaimer letter from the dummy manufacturer concerning copyright claims and that they might be upload on the M.R.1 website without any copyright infringements.

5. [At] the same time, the expert from Japan introduced the ninth status report of the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Head Restraints (GRSP-65-31). The expert from CLEPA withdrew ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2019/8 and introduced GRSP-65-30 superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2019/10 amending the static options of the proposal.

6. Finally, GRSP experts were invited to provide comments to GRSP-65-24 to the expert from Japan by 13 September 2019. Moreover, GRSP requested the secretariat to distribute GRSP-65-30 and GRSP-65-31 with an official symbol and agreed to seek consent of WP.29 and AC.3 to extend the mandate of the IWG until June 2020.