132. The Chair of the IWG on PTI introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/89, a proposal for a Framework Document on Vehicle Whole-Life Compliance, aimed at providing guidance to WP.29 and its GRs to coordinate the evaluation of harmonised conditions for the assessment of performances of vehicles, equipment and parts along different stages of their legal life.

133. The representative of Sweden raised her concerns with regards to:

(i) Compliance, related to PTI provisions added to UN Regulations and the follow up process,
(ii) The impact of this framework document on the relation between manufacturers and the inspections bodies as well as on the possibility for inspection bodies to act independently.

134. The Chair of the IWG on PTI clarified that this document was intended to be a reference document for the methodologies of drafting rules that would be applied by all GRs and IWGs when preparing relevant proposals, and that it would not propose a change in the work of the technical authorities. The representative of the Netherlands supported this clarification and highlighted the possibility to modify the document in the future.

135. The representative of Sweden agreed that this document could be adopted since it was not binding and understood as a living document. She stressed that more work and discussions need to take place before it could be implemented.

136. WP.29 endorsed the document as a reference document and agreed to keep it as a living document.

94. The Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI informed the World Forum on the consultations of WP.29 subsidiary bodies on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/145. He noted that the representative of CLEPA submitted informal document WP.29-188-24, proposing amendments to the official document.

95. The representative of Sweden mentioned main principles included in the document. He inquired about the practical implications in terms of implementation of these principles and way to operationalize them.

96. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland noted the potential implications of the document. He sought clarification on the purpose of the document, in particular whether it related to those undertaking PTI or to vehicle owners/users. He recommended to clarify who would be addressed by the document.

97. The representative of France supported the views expressed by the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He mentioned the WP.29 deliverables already addressing different phases of vehicle lifecycles. He emphasised the importance clarifying methodologies with this regard.

98. The representative of the European Union proposed to postpone the vote on this document to facilitate coordination among the Member States of the European Union and allow for verification of the implications.

99. The representative of CLEPA introduced WP.29-188-24, proposing to insert a subparagraph under paragraph 8 of the official document considered under this item and highlighted some other principles.

100. The representative of the Netherlands proposed that IWG on PTI should review the proposal tabled by the representative of CLEPA and bring the outcome of the discussion back to WP.29 in March 2023. He continued that all comments provided during the session were true, that many WP.29 deliverables already addressed different phases of the vehicle lifecycles. He highlighted the merit of the proposal for a Vehicle Whole Life Compliance framework to streamline contracting parties’ efforts with this regard. He supported the proposal of the representative of the European Union.

101. The representative of OICA confirmed that the draft framework document continues to raise questions as to its implications and supported the statements by UK and France.

102. The representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, recalled that the document had been reviewed by all the WP.29 subsidiary bodies and that he did not see any new matter that had not been previously discussed by the IWG on PTI. He recommended the adoption of the document. He gave a positive initial assessment of the proposal tabled by the representative of CLEPA and suggested further review of it.

103. WP.29 recommended the IWG on PTI to consider the input received, to review WP.29-188-24 and agreed to resume consideration of this agenda item at its March 2023 session.

107. The World Forum noted that the proposal for a framework document on vehicle whole-life compliance was still under review by GRs, which was deemed to be finalized before the WP.29 March 2022 session.