Proposal to limit slack of the safety-belt buckle in rear seats to improve occupant safety.
14. The expert from Japan outlined (with GRSP-73-29) the development of his proposal (GRSP-73-28-Rev.1 superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/3) to limit the slack of the safety-belt buckle in rear seats to improve occupant safety. He said that the group of interested experts had met twice and had agreed to further testing of: (a) the test method of the buckle strap assembly and of (b) the test of the effect of the pre-tensioner on the forward movement of the rear seat occupant. GRSP agreed to resume discussion at its December 2023 session based on a revised document. GRSP experts were requested to provide comments to the expert from Japan on GRSP-73-28-Rev.1, who would submit a revised official proposal by the deadline.
18. The expert from Japan introduced GRSP-74-24-Rev.5 amending ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/32 to prevent the negative effects of slack from the buckle of the safety belt on vehicle occupants. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/32 as amended by annex IV of the session report. However, since the work on splitting the UN Regulation was on hold, the secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as the draft 10 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 to the next appropriate WP.29 and AC.1 sessions, indicated by the group of experts on restructuring the UN Regulation.
18. The expert from Japan introduced GRSP-74-24-Rev.5 amending ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/32 to prevent the negative effects of slack from the buckle of the safety belt on vehicle occupants. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/32 as amended by annex IV of the session report. However, since the work on splitting the UN Regulation was on hold, the secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as the draft 10 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 to the next appropriate WP.29 and AC.1 sessions, indicated by the group of experts on restructuring the UN Regulation.
13. The expert from the Republic of Korea, Chair of the ad-hoc group on seat-belt reminders (SBR), introduced GRSP-75-12 to explain that were different interpretations to be solved on SBR activation when the safety-belts was unfastened. The expert from Spain argued that current provisions in the UN Regulation need changes. Furthermore, the expert from the Republic of Korea introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/2 to clarify the text of the UN Regulation. GRSP also noted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/6, tabled by the expert from Germany to clarify the buckle-opening test. GRSP endorsed in principle this last proposal. GRSP finally agreed to resume consideration on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/2, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/6 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/32 (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/74, paragraph 19) at the December 2024 session of GRSP. The experts from Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea were requested to adapt their respective proposals to the new adopted UN Regulations and to the 10 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 (see paragraph 12 above).