112. The expert from IMMA recalled the presentation, at the 120th session of GRSG, of document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/33, containing a proposal for amendments R.E.3, with the objective to differentiate bodied quadricycles from the wide variety of vehicles of Category L7 covered by the definition in paragraph 2.1.7. of R.E.3, in view of enhancing the passive safety of bodied heavy quadricycles for the transport of passengers. He stated that a conference call had been organized thereafter with representatives of IMMA, Japan and the Republic of Korea, during which significant regional differences had been identified due to which specific elements of the proposal would need to be studied in detail before a revised proposal could be put forth to GRSG. He stated the IMMA, Japan and the Republic of Korea had agreed to request GRSG to postpone further discussions therefore on this amendment to the next session in October 2021.

113. GRSG took note of the information and agreed to postpone discussions and the consideration of the proposal for amendments to R.E.3 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/33) to the October 2021 session.

114. The expert from Japan thanked IMMA on coordinating activities concerning the proposed amendment to R.E.3, stating that as it contained passive safety requirements, those related elements should be considered within the scope of work of GRSP as well.

64. The expert from IMMA introduced document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/33, containing a proposal for amendments R.E.3, with the objective to differentiate bodied quadricycles from the wide variety of vehicles of Category L7 covered by the definition in paragraph 2.1.7. of R.E.3, in view of enhancing the passive safety of bodied heavy quadricycles for the transport of passengers.

65. The expert from the Republic of Korea welcomed the proposal from IMMA and expressed support for the L7 vehicle category specification, and the safety requirements stepwise approach, as proposed. The expert expressed concerns regarding the dimension criteria of L7 vehicle category. He recalled that, according to UN Regulations, category M1 vehicles are defined as vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat, and regardless of length, width and height. The expert explained that in the Republic of Korea, passenger vehicles are classified as small, medium and large size vehicles, according to the engine displacements, length, width and height. Additionally, he continued, L7 vehicle weight and battery weight, and power rates, are also relevant for vehicle classification in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, in some cases, the L7 vehicle dimensions as proposed in the draft amendments to R.E.3, as a result of which motorcycles may be larger than small size passenger motor vehicles, may cause confusion in terms of classifications as defined in the Republic of Korea. He explained that existing regulations on the classification of vehicles in the Republic of Korea are referenced in numerous laws and that their amending would have complex implications. He concluded by emphasizing that the Republic of Korea does not oppose the proposal from IMMA, but that implementing the specification of L7 vehicle category, as proposed in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/33, would be difficult in the market of the Republic of Korea.

66. The expert from Japan also expressed concern regarding the content of the proposal for amendments to R.E.3, in particular with regard to the proposed maximum speed of category L7 vehicles with an enclosed driving and passenger compartment accessible via maximum three sides, as it exceeded the maximum speed defined in several countries’ national legislations.

67. The expert from IMMA emphasized that the proposal contained in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/33 relates to the defining a specific group within the existing definition of L7, stating that the definition of L7 itself is not modified in the proposal. He stated that the proposal for dimensions and maximum speed was seen as an overarching framework, without intention to modify national and regional classification criteria, but rather to facilitate such requirements at regional level.

68. Based on the requests from Japan and the Republic of Korea, GRSG decided to continue consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/33, on amendments to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3), at its April 2021 session, and invited delegations to clarify their positions on this matter.

58. The expert from IMMA introduced document GRSG-118-11, the proposal for amendments to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3), and document GRSG-118-18, the proposal to introduce bodied L7 vehicles in R.E.3.

59. GRSG considered GRSG-118-11 and requested its submission as an official document for consideration at the October 2020 session of GRSG.