21. The representative of Canada, on behalf of the GRE Chair, reported on the results of the sixty-seventh session of GRE (for details see the report of the session (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/67)). Specifically, he drew attention to the work on resolving the glare vs. night-time distance visibility issue and on a new approach to performance based regulatory requirements.

22. The representative of Canada announced the submission of a proposal for consideration at the November 2012 session of WP.29, for a definition of “manufacturer” to be added to R.E.3 and S.R.1.

23. Upon the invitation of the representative of Canada, the Chair of GTB introduced two informal documents. WP.29-157-11 outlined GTB’s approach to find a solution to the balance between good forward road illumination and glare to other road users. WP.29-157-12 introduced GTB’s plan to help GRE work on consolidating the UN Regulations on lighting and light-signalling focused on performance requirements rather than design and technical descriptions. The representative of the EU welcomed the proposal. The representative of Malaysia announced his intention to convey at the next GRE session concerns raised in his country regarding motorcycle headlamp glare. The World Forum agreed to refer WP.29-157-11 and WP.29-157-12 to the October 2012 session of GRE for consideration. Finally, WP.29 requested the secretariat to distribute WP.29-157-12 with an official symbol at its November 2012 session.

46. The expert from GTB introduced GRE-68-10, providing GTB’s initial response to the EU / Japanese initiative presented to WP.29 in June 2012 (see WP.29-157-12). The expert from GTB stated that his association was studying the feasibility of simplifying the current forty-one UN Lighting and Light-Signaling Regulations by grouping them. He also added that his association was also studying the feasibility of establishing GTR’s for Lighting and Signaling Devices and their Installation introducing performance based requirements but noted the difficulties in doing so. He concluded that specific light source regulations might remain largely unchanged because of the need for specific technical provisions. GRE agreed to resume consideration at its next session, noting that GTB volunteered to play an active role in the discussion that would take place on this subject at the November 2013 session of WP.29.

37. The representative of GTB introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2012/119 reflecting the new approach for to the UN Regulations on lighting and light-signalling. Taking advantage of the introduction of the Horizontal Reference Document (HRD) under discussion in GRE and the Database for the Exchange of Type Approvals (DETA) being developed by the DETA informal working group, GTB was studying the possibility of reducing the workload of GRE and WP.29. By consolidating several UN Regulations, GRE may be able to focus its work on only 11 UN Regulations instead of 41 to date. WP.29 endorsed the principles proposed by GTB. Following the discussion, WP.29 mandated GRE to move forward and focus on performance-oriented requirements. WP.29 asked GRE to develop a road map, taking into consideration the resources of GRE.