14. The expert from France introduced amendment proposals that included work lamps in the scope of UN Regulation No. 48 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2024/12, GRE-91-18-Rev.1). A number of GRE experts made comments on the proposals. GRE was not in a position to reach a consensus on the issue and decided to revert to it at the next session on the basis of a revised document to be prepared by France.

15. The expert from France introduced a revised amendment proposal on work lamps (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2024/12/Rev.1, GRE-92-11-Rev.2). GRE experts commented on the colour of work lamps, vehicle categories, speed limits/thresholds for activation/deactivation and the footnote that national regulations could prohibit the presence of work lamps. For the latter, some experts pointed out that such a footnote might be seen as contradictory to the principle of mutual recognition of type approvals, being a cornerstone of the 1958 Agreement. Following an in-depth discussion, GRE agreed to postpone the discussion to the next session and invited experts, who made comments, to submit their suggestions to France.

15. The expert from France presented a revised proposal on optional work lamps (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2024/12/Rev.2, GRE-93-28-Rev.1). He clarified that vehicle categories M1 and N1 were not included in the proposal and that national regulations remained applicable. The expert from OICA provided arguments why, in his view, this proposal should be made in the form of a new series of amendments with transitional provisions. He also pointed out a link to the “prohibited if not allowed” discussion (see para. 8 above). The secretariat recalled that a supplement could also be accompanied with a transitional provision.

16. The experts from Japan, while not in a position to comment on the provisions for unadopted categories, reserved their position regarding this proposal and noted the following two points of concern:

• Though originally intended to be deleted, allowing the work lamp to automatically activate again at 10 km/h was not appropriate.
• The possibility that works lamp could illuminate white light to the backward contradicts the fundamental requirement of UN Regulation No. 48 establishing rear red light.

17. Following an in-depth discussion, GRE agreed on the technical requirements in the French proposal and decided to continue consideration of transitional provisions only. To make progress, GRE invited France, in cooperation with OICA, to prepare a new document on transitional provisions for the next session.