26. GRSP resumed discussion on including L7 categories of vehicles into the scope of UN Regulation No. 137. The expert from IMMA recalled his presentation introduced at the December 2019 session of GRSP (GRSP-66-20) which proposed a three-steps approach for the harmonization of (passive) safety requirements of bodied, heavy quadricycles (L7), and in which the third step involved a proposal to update UN Regulation No. 137. He explained that in line with the first step, IMMA had introduced a proposal (GRSG-118-18) at the July 2020 session of the Working Party on General Safety (GRSG) with a clear definition of bodied L7-vehicles in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.), and which had been positively received. Moreover, he added that his organization hoped to conclude the first step with an official document for the October 2020 session of GRSG. He concluded that further discussion on, with regards to the interest of contracting parties to develop a proposal for inclusion of L7 categories in UN Regulation No. 137 was found to be premature pending conclusion of the first (and second) steps.
47. The expert from IMMA introduced GRSP-66-20 to explain the three-step approach for harmonization of (passive) safety requirements of bodied, heavy quadricycles (L7). He added that the L7 category of vehicles was too broad and suggested that a clear definition be established in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3). He explained that some L7 category of vehicles are very “car-like” in that they are equipped with a body and certain car features. He stated that his organization supports the proposal to include bodied heavy passenger L7-category vehicles into UN Regulation No. 137. However, he asked that as a first step, the existing, applicable legislation for bodied L7 vehicles be harmonized worldwide (e.g. India, Republic of Korea, EU) to clarify key differences in the M1 category of vehicles. Finally, GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its May 2020 session.