31. The expert from OICA introduced the last draft UN Regulation on hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles (HFCV) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2014/8) prepared with the expert of EC and transposing UN GTR No. 13 (HFCV) into the 1958 Agreement. The expert from the Republic of Korea introduced GRSP-55-23, proposing the deletion of any reference to liquefied hydrogen that is not yet covered by the draft UN Regulation. The expert from OICA argued that UN GTR No. 13 also mentioned liquefied hydrogen technology, and that it could be kept as an optional basis for further development. However, he agreed to bring the technology back to the UN Regulation at a later stage when it was ready for regulation.

32. Moreover, the expert from Japan reminded GRSP that his country already legislated Hydrogen Fuelled Vehicles and requested further guidance. GRSP experts noted that Contracting Parties may continue to apply requirements that were in force at the time of accession to this UN Regulation on aspects not currently regulated by the UN Regulation: (i) the electrical safety of electric power train, (ii) the material compatibility and hydrogen embrittlement of the vehicle fuel system and (iii) the post-crash fuel system integrity in the event of full width frontal impact and rear impact. However, the expert from the Netherlands expressed concerns because UN Regulations Nos. 12, 94 and 95 were addressed in the draft UN Regulation to verify post-crash fuel tank integrity. Inversely, he noted that in UN Regulations Nos. 67 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas vehicles) and 110 (Compressed Natural Gases vehicles), reference was not made to such post-crash UN Regulations. Accordingly, it was agreed to insert a footnote in the draft UN Regulation to specify those aspects not yet regulated as a reminder for future development of the UN Regulation and seek further harmonization (GRSP-55-28-Rev.2). However, GRSP agreed to seek guidance from the Administrative Committee for the Coordination of Work (WP.29/AC.2) at its June 2014 session as the issue raised by the expert from Japan would affect a number of UN Regulations.

33. Finally, GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2014/8, as amended by Annex VI to the GRSP 55th session report. The secretariat was requested to submit ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2014/8 to WP.29 and AC.1, for consideration and vote at their November 2014 sessions, as draft UN Regulation on hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles.

31. The expert from OICA made a presentation (GRSP-54-01) to introduce a draft new UN Regulation on hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2013/22), transposing the UN GTR No. 13 into the 1958 Agreement on the same subject. He also presented GRSP-54-12, introducing some corrections to the proposal and GRSP-54-02 (for information only), highlighting the changes introduced with respect to the UN GTR. The expert from Japan made a presentation (GRSP-54-37) on the main objective of the proposal. He also suggested (GRSP-54-22) a separate UN Regulation, to address liquefied hydrogen storage systems and to allow Contracting Parties to apply impact tests already in use at the national level until the conclusion of Phase 2 of the UN GTR. He finally introduced some corrections (GRSP-54-21) to the text of the proposal. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its May 2014 session on the basis of a revised official proposal, voluntarily prepared by the experts from EC and OICA, incorporating comments received by interested parties. GRSP also agreed to keep GRSP-54-21 and GRSP-54-12 in the agenda of the next session for reference only.