34. GRVA noted the information provided by the Secretary concerning the recommendations of AC.2 and the corresponding decisions of WP.29 concerning external signalling for automated vehicles provided under agenda item 2.

35. GRVA discussed details on ways to organize the review of UN Regulations and UN GTRs with regards to ADS in response to WP.29 request (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1164, para. 30).

36. The expert from OICA offered considerations as well as a template (in GRVA-13-18) that could be used to perform this review.

37. The expert from France volunteered to lead and coordinate the work regarding the screening of UN Regulations, UN Global Technical Regulations and UN Rules of relevance for Automated Driving Systems, supported by China, who stated their willingness for active involvement and contribution.

38. GRVA agreed to share the draft roadmap on Automated Driving proposed by OICA and CLEPA, contained in GRVA-13-18, with AC.2 and WP.29, as it could inform the discussion on the mandates’ extensions for FRAV and VMAD.

39. The expert from OICA presented GRVA-13-18. He explained that the technological development was such that Automated Driving Systems were now close to market introduction. He mentioned on the one hand the ongoing national activities being a possibility for trials, in order to gain experience with ADS but also, on the other hand, the risk for disharmonization. He called for the establishment of a certification scheme for ADS. He mentioned that the lack of legal certainty would result in delays in market introduction. He proposed that GRVA targeted end of 2025 as the date by which a global ADS certification scheme would be available. He explained the benefits of developing harmonized requirements at the United Nations level and mentioned the importance of developing a strategy, in order to avoid regulatory fragmentation.

40. The expert from Canada asked OICA if the objective proposed (end of 2025) was a consensus amongst its members, or if it was only proposed by a few members from a specific region.

41. The expert from OICA recalled that OICA had 37 members on all continents and confirmed that the objective proposed was a consensus position of all its members around the world. He proposed to present this objective to WP.29 and to anchor this target.

42. GRVA concluded that AC.2 would be informed during the June 2022 session about the proposal tabled by OICA and CLEPA for a future schedule and that this would be reflected during the discussion of the updated of the FDAV.

43. The expert from ISO provided copies of two of their standards (GRVA-13-07 as well as GRVA-13-11, GRVA-13-12, GRVA-13-13 and GRVA-13-14 submitted under agenda item 5(c)) at the request of some GRVA delegates. GRVA thanked ISO for this effort in keeping GRVA up to date, regarding their activities.

35. The representative of OICA presented document WP.29-187-24, Automated Driving Road Map – Main messages from GRVA-13-18, which highlighted the aim of the industry to have a certification scheme for ADS to support the automated driving deployment.

36. The representative of the United States of America, Co-Chair of the IWG on FRAV noted that the group requested to GRVA an extension of the mandate of the IWG until 2024, however, it was not envisioned that the group would engage in rule-making activities at the end of this mandate as requested by OICA. He highlighted that the documents produced during this mandated period would not be mature enough to be converted into a legal document.

37. The representative from Canada, Co-Chair of the IWG on VMAD supported the statements of the Co-Chair of FRAV and expressed concerns related to the requirement to produce a regulation within the timeframe suggested by the industry. Further, he reiterated the importance of conducting the work with agreement neutrality (deliverables can be used for the purpose of the 1958 and 1998 Agreements).

38. The representative of France queried whether the industry was looking for the legal framework to cover ADS as it relates to a specific type of vehicle (Passenger versus Freight or Heavy versus Light vehicles).

39. The representative of the Netherlands, Co-Chair of the IWG on VMAD agreed with the need for regulation but also expressed that there was more work to be done. He explained that his country would prefer to gather more experience through tests and trials before engaging in such activities.

40. The representative of OICA, noted that from the industry perspective, and as agreed at GRVA in May 2022, the extension of the FRAV and VMAD mandates would involve work being done in the first year to finish the global requirements and then the second year would be putting this work into practice through a UN Global Technical Regulation or a UN Regulation. He also noted that the views of all types of vehicles manufacturers were represented in the presentation. and therefore, their request was not limited to a certain category of vehicles.

41. The representative of CLEPA, co-author of the document WP.29-187-24, noted that their concern was not only the items mentioned but also that certain regions initiated legislative activities; and this proposal would support global harmonization.

42. The representative of OICA confirmed the targeted date end of the year 2025 which from his perspective would be realistic. He stated that the pace of the IWGs on FRAV and VMAD should not be the limiting factor for the introduction of ADS on the market.

43. WP.29 agreed to extend the mandates of FRAV and VMAD by two years.