11. The expert from OICA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2020/12 to clarify the test procedure for the height of head restraints in the case of vehicles having a low roof construction. He added that the current provisions were design restrictive and that the proposal was addressing only integrated head restraints. However, the expert from Japan expressed the following concerns through a presentation (GRSP-68-31-Rev.1) to the proposal:
- The range of exempted vehicles addressed exemption applicable to bucket-type seats. However, considerations from the expert from Japan shows that this exemption could be applied to any integrated headrest seat. Therefore, not only sport-vehicles but also vehicles with high hoods and low roofs (e.g., low roof sedans, high and/or long hood vehicles and SUVs) would be exempted at manufacturer’s choice.
- Safety risk to tall occupants. Specifically, in the case of an occupant taller than the average, the safety level of the occupant in the event of a collision would likely decrease.
12. The expert from OICA further argued that the proposal would guarantee safety performances since all other static requirements would remain in place and by foreseeing dynamic tests in case of application of this exemption provision. He reminded GRSP that the current provisions required a lower limit of the head restraint height to guarantee the safety performance of taller passengers. The expert from the Netherlands and Germany requested a time reservation to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2020/12. Finally, GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its May 2021 session.
15. The expert from Japan reiterated his concerns to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2020/12, tabled by the expert from OICA, to clarify the test procedure for the height of head restraints in the case of vehicles having a low roof construction (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/68, para. 11). He finally requested time for further analysis. In the same time, the expert from CLEPA requested to be involved in the consultation. GRSP agreed to defer consideration of the proposal at its December 2021 session.
15. The expert from OICA withdrew ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2020/12 and GRSP agreed to remove this subject (height of head restraints/low roof construction) from the agenda of the next sessions.