138. Following a request from AC.3 in its previous session, the representative of the Netherlands (Kingdom of the) delivered a presentation on the possibility of initiating work on a new UN GTR for child restraint systems (“ISOFIX 3.0”), which would seek worldwide harmonization, and requested guidance by AC.3.

139. OICA expressed some concerns regarding the need to balance priorities for work undertaken by WP.29 and its subsidiary bodies, but indicated their availability to contribute to any potential work on this area. Canada and the United Sates of America echoed the concerns on the workload of WP.29, suggested that it was premature to take a decision on potential worldwide harmonization and proposed that preliminary work should take place at GRSP level, rather than at WP.29. The representative of the United States further commented on the importance of taking the best of each of the three existing systems and offered to share their own data and findings. CLEPA was very supportive of the idea and highlighted the issues with the current regulatory divergence across regions in the world, including higher costs for manufacturers which results in lack of affordable child restraint systems in low- and middle-income countries. The representative of Australia was in favour of continuing the discussion and asked GRSP to take stock of existing regulations and standards in different countries requiring mandatory use of child restraint systems and the risks introduced in the transitional phase when a new system is enforced. This has the aim to encourage harmonization where convergence is more difficult. The representative of Spain and Vice-Chair of GRSP was in favour of initiating work on the topic and highlighted the benefits that worldwide harmonization would bring to countries that currently accept multiple incompatible standards. The representative of Sweden agreed that there were reasons for an update within this important topic, but thought it would be beneficial to wait for a new revision of the ISO standard before starting any regulatory work. The representative of Consumer International supported the idea and echoed many of the points which had already been made.

140. AC.3 recommended GRSP to add the topic to its agenda and to decide on its own how to balance work on this topic with its other priorities.