9. Taking into account the recent GTB study (GRE-71-32), the expert from France proposed to delete a design restrictive requirement for an automatic levelling device for all headlamps with LED light sources, irrespective of their luminous flux (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2014/34). GRE agreed that this proposal should be tackled at the next session, in conjunction with the GTB proposals on visibility and glare issues (see para. 14 below).

50. The representative of France proposed to delete a design restrictive requirement in Regulation No. 48 for auto-levelling of headlamps equipped with any Light Emitting Diodes (LED) light sources (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2015/21, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/73 and WP.29-166-23). The representative explained that, if LED were treated the same way as other lights sources, more LED headlamps would be fitted on new vehicles, and thus improving road safety and reducing CO2 emissions. WP.29 noted that recent studies indicate that the type of light source does not seem to be a major factor of headlamp glare, and that GRE had established an IWG to review all levelling requirements in Regulation No. 48 (para. 25 above). The EU representative stressed that also for this subject OLA should be involved to provide their analysis and preferred option.

51. WP.29 stressed that, in line with the text and spirit of the 1958 Agreement, Regulations should be technologically neutral and performance based. Therefore, WP.29 advocated the French proposal and invited GRE to adopt it and to submit it to WP.29 for consideration. WP.29 also pointed out the importance of the newly established IWG for finding a general solution for glare and visibility issues. WP.29 also instructed IWG and GRE to verify, as a matter of priority, that LED headlamps do not produce more glare compared to other light sources, to review all levelling requirements and to report back to WP.29.

20. The expert from France proposed to delete a design restrictive requirement in Regulation No. 48 for an auto-levelling device for low beam produced by any LED light sources, while for other light sources this requirement exists only if their reference luminous flux exceeds 2,000 Lm (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2015/21 and GRE-73-25). According to the expert, should LED be treated in the same way as other lights sources, this would lead to more LED headlamps fitted on new vehicles, thus improving road safety and reducing CO2 emissions. The experts from Belgium, Germany, Japan and UK were of the view that this issue should be first referred to IWG VGL and be considered in one package with other proposals regarding levelling (see paras. 17 and 18 above), upon the understanding that a final solution developed by IWG VGL should be technology neutral. The experts from Italy, Spain, EC, CLEPA and OICA not only supported the French proposal as removing discrimination between various technologies of light sources, but also called for its adoption without delay, irrespective of the IWG activities. GRE agreed that the Chair would submit this issue to the June 2015 session of WP.29 for guidance and to report back to GRE at its next session.

14. GRE reverted to the proposal by the expert from France to delete a design restrictive requirement in Regulation No. 48 for an auto-levelling device for low beam produced by light emitting diodes (LED) light sources (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2015/21 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/73, para. 20). The secretariat informed GRE about the discussion on this issue at the June 2015 session of WP.29. The World Forum had stressed that Regulations should be technologically neutral and invited GRE to adopt the French proposal and to submit it to WP.29 for consideration (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1116, paras. 50 and 51).

15. GRE was not in a position to reach a consensus on this matter. The experts from Germany and Japan did not support the French proposal and suggested that it first be referred to the Informal Working Group on Visibility, Glare and Levelling (IWG VGL) and considered in one package with various other proposals. The experts from Belgium, Italy, Finland, France, Spain, EC, CLEPA and OICA supported the French proposal and called for its adoption independently from the IWG VGL activities. The experts from Austria and Poland reserved their positions. Finally, in view of the WP.29 guidance, GRE agreed to adopt the proposal in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2015/21 and to submit it to the March 2016 session of WP.29 for a final decision. The Chair was also requested to brief WP.29 on the different views expressed by experts in GRE.