17. The expert from Italy, Chair of the ad-hoc group on safety helmets introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/13, through a presentation (GRSP-69-19) to address the need of a text that can be enforced in a practical manner until specific requirements for the type approval of helmet accessories would be defined. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/13, as amended by (GRSP-69-17) Annex IV of the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal, as draft Supplement 1 to the 06 series of amendment to UN Regulation No. 22 (Protective helmets), for consideration and vote at the November 2021 session of WP.29 and to AC.1.

13. The expert from Israel, explaining the point of view of the “motorcycle helmet communication”, introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2020/19 through a presentation (GRSP-68-15), proposing a temporary solution to the 06 series of amendments to the UN Regulation. He also proposed at the same time a revised definition of accessories allowed to be fitted in type approved helmets. He clarified that this temporary solution should be followed by a new proposal delivered by the IWG and asked that IWG consider some examples for communication accessories requirements as well as for helmets in his presentation. The expert from Sweden introduced GRSP-68-09, amending ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2020/19. She expressed concerns that the issue was affecting the validity of type approval originally granted and she questioned who would bear this responsibility. The expert from the Netherland argued that the Israeli proposal was not acceptable because it was opened to any kind of accessories to be implemented on the helmet. The expert from Republic of Korea supported the proposal tabled by the expert from Israel. The expert from Germany stated that the proposal was a good basis to start discussion, but it was premature to draw specific conclusions. He explained that current requirements of the UN Regulation were aimed at limiting the use of aftermarket products, whose liability was not in the purview of helmet manufacturers. He suggested that GRSP experts engage in their discussions stakeholders from the helmet aftermarket industry (e.g: camera industry). The expert from Spain clarified that accessories should be intended to integrate the securing functionalities of the helmet (e.g.: tear-off films of inner visors, electronic devices and their support. The expert from Italy clarified that the IWG activities were suspended due to the lack of research results that would allow Phase 2 of the UN Regulation to begin and that this issue was not included in the scope of the IWG. Therefore, GRSP agreed to establish an ad hoc group of interested experts to discuss and devise at the earliest convenience a solution on this issue. The experts from France, Republic of Korea, The Netherlands, Israel, Italy, Germany, Spain and from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) stated their availability to participate to the activities of the ad-hoc group. GRSP, also agreed to resume discussion on this agenda item on the basis of the outcome of the ad-hoc group.