GRE/2019/11
UN R48: Proposal for a new series of amendments

Proposal to:

  1. update requirements for headlamps and daytime running lamps related to headlamp switching. In particular, the proposed 07 series of amendments aims to clarify electrical connection requirements, conditions for manual switching OFF of headlamps, and new definitions for switching ON/OFF and for activating/deactivating lamps;
  2. introduce technical parameters for speed and vehicle distance, allowing reduced intensity at speeds lower than 20 km/h, in order to encourage reduced glaring effects from rear signaling lamps;
  3. introduce references to the three new simplified lighting Regulations (Light-Signalling Devices (LSD), Road Illumination Devices (RID) and Retro-Reflective Devices (RRD)).
The proposal was prepared by a special interest group of GRE experts on the new 07 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48.
UNECE server
Excerpts from session reports
GRE | Session 81 | 15-18 Apr 2019

18. The expert from the GRE special interest group introduced a consolidated proposal for a new 07 series of amendments (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/11, GRE-81-09 and GRE-81-10). The expert from France proposed an additional modification (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/4). Following in-depth discussion, GRE agreed that, given the complexity of the proposal, further work should be pursued by means of a task force. The experts from the Netherlands and Finland volunteered to act as Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, while the expert from OICA agreed to become secretary. GRE noted that the next session of the special interest group/task force would be convened on 16 and 17 May 2019 at the OICA office in Paris (GRE-81-24). The expert from SAE invited the task force to also address the earlier proposal of SAE on side retro-reflectors (GRE-80-17). Finally, GRE agreed to continue consideration of proposals for a new 07 series of amendments at the next session.

GRE | Session 80 | 23-26 Oct 2018

23. The expert from GTB introduced amendment proposals with the aim to reduce discomfort glare from rear signalling lamps when viewed at close proximity in slow moving traffic (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/51). The expert from OICA suggested further improvements (GRE-80-20). Following an exchange of comments, GRE invited GTB, OICA and other interested parties to produce a revised document for consideration at the next session.

24. GRE considered a proposal for a new 07 series of amendments prepared by the former Co-Chairs of the Task Force on Headlamp Switching (TF HS), which updated the requirements for headlamps and daytime running lamps (DRL) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/44, GRE-80-09 and GRE-80-10). The experts from EC and Japan, Russian Federation, OICA and SAE commented on the proposal (respectively, GRE-80-22, GRE-80-29, GRE-80-18 and GRE-80-07). Separately, the expert from EC proposed a new requirement of mandatory presence of emergency stop signal (ESS) on all categories of motor vehicles and trailers (GRE-80-08) and the expert from SAE submitted an amendment proposal on side retro-reflectors (GRE-80-17).

25. Following a brief exchange of views on the above proposals, GRE noted that each of them would require a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 with its own transitional provisions. To avoid amending this UN Regulation too many times and practical complications, GRE was of the view that all proposals should be consolidated into a single new 07 series of amendments. The expert from OICA offered to host in December 2018, at their premises in Paris, a special meeting of interested parties with a view to drafting a consolidated proposal for the next session of GRE.

GRE | Session 78 | 24-27 Oct 2017

24. Due to lack of time, GRE could not consider ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/23, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/24, GRE-77-25 and GRE-78-05.

GRE | Session 79 | 24-27 Apr 2018

27. The expert from Czechia proposed to correct and clarify the requirements for DRLs in conjunction with rear position lamps (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/23). GRE invited the Co-Chairs of TF HS to take these proposals into account when preparing a consolidated document.

GRE | Session 82 | 22-25 Oct 2019

30. On behalf of SIG, the expert from OICA introduced a proposal for a new series of amendments which clarifies the definitions of “switching” and “activation” and introduces the mandatory use of Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/29, GRE-82-06 and GRE-82-11). The experts from EC and OICA suggested modified transitional provisions (GRE-82-23, GRE-82-34 and GRE-82-44-Rev.1). Finally, GRE adopted the proposal, as amended by Annex IV, and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their March 2020 sessions as draft 07 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48.

WP.29 | Session 179 | 12-14 Nov 2019

54. In particular, he informed WP.29 about the adopted draft new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 that introduces the mandatory use of Emergency Stop Signal (ESS). He further mentioned that GRE agreed to correct few mistakes and omissions in the new simplified UN Regulations Nos. [148], [149] and [150]. He recalled that, according to the WP.29 mandate, the requirements in the original series of the three new UN Regulations should be totally identical to the requirements in the device UN Regulations which had been frozen in the course of the simplification process. Therefore, GRE was of the view that eventual discrepancies should be corrected by means of supplements or corrigenda to the original series of the new UN Regulations, while substantial changes should only be introduced by the 01 series of amendments and its supplements.