1. The Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling (GRE) held its eighty-fourth session from 26 to 30 April 2021 in Geneva. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Timo Kärkkäinen (Finland). Experts from the following countries participated in the work according to Rule 1 (a) of the Rules of Procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) (TRANS/WP.29/690, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/690/Amends. 1 and 2): Australia, China, Cyprus, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. An expert from the European Commission (EC) participated. Experts from the following non governmental organizations also took part in the session: European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA), International Association of Body and Trailer Building Industry (CLCCR), European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), International Automobile Federation (FIA), International Automotive Lighting and Light Signalling Expert Group (GTB), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA), International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

2. GRE considered and adopted the agenda (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/1), as reproduced in GRE-84-01 together with the informal documents distributed during the session. GRE also noted the running order proposed by the Chair (GRE-84-21) and the virtual meeting participation guidelines (GRE-84-31).

GRE-84-01 | Updated agenda for the 84th (April 2021) GRE session

GRE-84-21 | Running order of the agenda for the 84th (April 2021) GRE session

GRE-84-31 | Secretariat: Virtual meeting participation guidelines (Webex)

GRE/2021/1 | GRE-84: Annotated provisional agenda for the April 2021 session

3. The list of informal documents is contained in Annex I to the session report. The list of GRE informal groups is reproduced in Annex III to this report.

4. GRE took note of the highlights of the November 2020 and March 2021 sessions of WP.29 (GRE-84-23).

GRE-84-23 | General Information and WP.29 highlights

5. The secretariat drew the attention of GRE to the stricter UNECE policy on copyright/intellectual property issues according to which the submitter of a document (including a presentation) would be invited to confirm that publication of the document on the UNECE website and further use would not violate any copyright/intellectual property rights and that the submitter would agree to hold UNECE harmless of any copyright/intellectual property claims concerning this document (GRE-84-23).

GRE-84-23 | General Information and WP.29 highlights

6. The Chair recalled that, subject to decisions of policy-making bodies (see para. 39 below), light-signalling functions of automated/autonomous vehicles might become a subject of a new UN GTR.

7. No proposals were considered under this item.

8. GRE took note of the progress report of the Informal Working Group “Simplification of the Lighting and Light-Signalling Regulations” (IWG SLR) (GRE-84-20).

9. The expert from IWG SLR introduced a draft new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 148 (GRE-84-13 and GRE-84-14). Following a brief discussion, GRE invited all experts to provide comments to IWG SLR and requested IWG SLR to finalize the proposal as a working document for the next GRE session.

GRE-84-13 | UN R148: Presentation to support the proposal for a new series of amendments Presentation by IWG SLR on the proposal

GRE-84-14 | UN R148: Proposal for 01 series of amendments Proposal by IWG SLR to improve the readability of the document, this proposal is presented as “clean” text.

10. The expert from IWG SLR proposed inserting in UN Regulation No. 45 a missing reference to UN Regulation No. 149 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/7). GRE adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2021 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 12 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 45.

GRE/2021/7 | UN R45: Proposal for Supplement [12] to the 01 series of amendments Proposal from the SLR informal group to insert in UN Regulation No. 45 missing references to UN Regulation No. 149.

11. The expert from IWG SLR presented a draft new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149 (GRE-84-15 and GRE-84-16). The expert from Poland pointed out that the proposed photometric requirements were design-oriented and expressed other concerns (GRE-84-28). GRE invited its experts to provide feedback to IWG SLR and requested IWG SLR to consider these comments, finalize the proposal and to submit it as a working document to the next GRE session.

GRE-84-15 | UN R149: Presentation to support the proposal for 01 series of amendments Presentation by IWG SLR to support the proposal

GRE-84-16 | UN R149: Proposal for 01 series of amendments IWG SLR proposal is presented as “clean” text in order to improve the readability of the document

GRE-84-28 | UN R149: Comments on the proposal for 01 series os amendments

12. The expert of IWG SLR introduced a proposal with the aim to re-align the requirements of the UN Regulation No. 150 with those of the frozen UN Regulations No. 3, 27, 69, 70 and 104 (GRE-84-04). GRE adopted the proposal and mandated the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2021 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 4 to UN Regulation No. 150.

GRE-84-04 | UN R150: Proposal for Supplement 4 to original series of amendments Prepared by IWG SLR with the aim to re-align the requirements with those of the frozen UN Regulations No. 3, 27, 69, 70 and 104.

13. The expert from IWG SLR presented a draft new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 150 (GRE-84-17 and GRE-84-18). GRE invited experts to provide comments to IWG SLR and requested IWG SLR to finalize the proposal and to submit it as a working document to the next GRE session.

GRE-84-17 | UN R150: Presentation to to support the proposal for 01 series of amendments Presentation by IWG SLR to support proposal

GRE-84-18 | UN R150: Proposal for 01 series of amendments

14. The expert from IWG SLR tabled a revised proposal for a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 that introduces new requirements for headlamp levelling and allows manual levelling only for off-road vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/8/Rev.2). The expert from Poland suggested amendments for the initial downward inclination (GRE-84-37). The experts from France and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland made further comments.

15. GRE noted diverging positions on the proposed aiming diagram and manual levelling for off-road vehicles. GRE remained optimistic that a consensus could be reached and requested IWG SLR to convene 1-2 additional separate meetings with the aim to reconcile the different positions and to prepare a revised proposal for the next session.

GRE-84-37 | UN R48: Proposal for a new series of amendment

GRE/2020/8/Rev.2 | UN R48: Revised proposal for a new series of amendments Proposal from the SLR informal group to introduce new requirements for headlamp levelling, in particular on the vertical inclination in relation to the dipped-beam headlamp mounting height, and to allow manual levelling only for off-road vehicles.

16. The experts of IWG presented draft proposals for Supplements to different series of amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86 (GRE-84-05, GRE-84-06, GRE-84-07, GRE-84-08, GRE-84-09, GRE-84-10). Following a brief exchange of views, GRE invited all experts to provide comments to IWG SLR and requested IWG SLR to finalize the proposals as working documents for the next GRE session.

GRE-84-05 | UN R48: Proposal for Supplement tp 06 and 07 series of amendments Proposal by IWG SLR to introduce references to the headlamp Classes in the 01 series of amendments in UN R149. Additionally, a performance-oriented criterion has been introduced in order to evaluate the visibility of red light to the front and white light to the rear of the vehicle

GRE-84-06 | UN R48: Proposal for Supplement to the 03, 04 and 05 series of amendments Prepared by IWG SLR with the aim to introduce references to the headlamp Classes in the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149. Additionally, a performance-oriented criterion has been introduced in order to evaluate the visibility of red light to the front and white light to the rear of the vehicle

GRE-84-07 | UN R53: Proposal for Supplement to 01 series of amendments Prepared by IWG SLR with the aim to introduce references to the headlamp Classes in the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149.

GRE-84-08 | UN R53: Proposal for Supplement to 02 and 03 series of amendments Prepared by IWG SLR with the aim to introduce references to the headlamp Classes in the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149.

GRE-84-09 | UN R74: Proposal for Supplement to the 01 and 02 series of amendments Prepared by IWG SLR with the aim to introduce references to the headlamp Classes in the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149.

GRE-84-10 | UN R86: Proposal for a Supplement to the 01 series Prepared by IWG SLR with the aim to introduce references to the headlamp Classes in the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149.

17. GRE took note of the progress report of the Task Force on Substitutes and Retrofits (TF SR) (GRE-84-12).

GRE-84-12 | TF S/R (LED Substitutes/Retrofits): Status Report

18. The expert from TF SR introduced an updated set of proposals for amendments to the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (R.E.5) and to UN Regulations Nos. 37 and 128 which introduce Light Emitting Diode (LED) replacement light sources (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/15/Rev.1 as amended by GRE-84-32, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/16/Rev.1 as amended by GRE-84-32, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/17 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/3). GRE also noted equivalence criteria (GRE-83-15), a study on introducing LED replacement light sources into UN Regulation No. 37 (GRE-84-02) and an equivalence report for the C5W light source category (GRE-84-03).

19. Several experts supported the proposed package and posed clarifying questions. The expert from France pointed out that, in case the package was adopted, the Type Approval Authorities and Technical Services would not be in a position to verify compliance of LED replacement light sources without vehicle compatibility listings. The expert of FIA urged the Contracting Parties to adopt the proposals and pointed out their benefits for the consumers, environment, economy, and traffic safety (GRE-84-35).

20. Subject to abstention of France, GRE adopted the above proposals and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2021 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 48 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 37, draft Supplement 11 to UN Regulation No. 128 and draft amendment 7 to the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (R.E.5). GRE also requested the secretariat to publish GRE-83-15 on the UNECE website as a reference document.

GRE-83-15 | Equivalence Criteria: Guide for specifying LED replacement light source categories

GRE-84-02 | UN R37: Study on introduction of LED replacement light sources Submitted by the Task Force on Substitutes/Retrofits (TF S/R).

GRE-84-03 | R.E.5: Presentation supporting proposal for amendment on the common specification of light source LEDr C5W Proposal by TF Substitutes/Retrofits provides supporting material for LEDr light sources equivalence report for C5W

GRE-84-32 | UN R37: Proposal for Supplement 48 to original version A general reference to the definitions in R.E.5 is inserted in 2.1 and a specific reference to the definition of the “AE device” in R.E.5 is inserted in 2.2.2.2.2.b., in order to explain the term “AE device” where it first appears in the body text.

GRE-84-35 | UN R128: Position paper on automotive LED replacement light sources

GRE/2020/15/Rev.1 | UN R37: Proposal for Supplement [48] Proposal from the Task Force on Substitutes and Retrofits (TF SR) to introduce Light Emitting Diode replacement light sources (LEDr) into UN R37.

GRE/2020/16/Rev.1 | RE5: Proposal for amendment to the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories Proposal from the Task Force on Substitutes and Retrofits (TF SR) to introduce a new light emitting diode (LED) replacement light source category H11.

GRE/2020/17 | UN R128: Proposal for Supplement 11 Proposal to exclude light-emitting diode replacement light sources (LEDr) from approvals under UN Regulation No. 128.

GRE/2021/3 | RE5: Proposal for amendment Proposal from the Task Force on Substitutes and Retrofits (TF SR) to introduce a new light emitting diode replacement light source (LEDr) category C5W.

21. The expert of GTB introduced revised proposals for amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 48 and 149 on road projections of driver assistance symbols as well as supporting material (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/4/Rev.1, GRE-84-24, GRE-84-25, GRE-84-26, GRE-84-27 and GRE-84-38-Rev.1). During an in-depth discussion, experts from Contracting Parties generally supported the concept but expressed several concerns over the proposed technical requirements. The expert from Japan presented their list of outstanding issues (GRE-84-36).

22. GRE requested GTB and OICA to liaise with all experts concerned with the aim to submit a revised proposal to the next session. GRE also invited other experts from Contracting Parties to send their comments to GTB and OICA and to take part in preparatory online meetings to be organized by GTB.

GRE-84-24 | UN R48: Revised proposal to GRE/2020/4 Rev 1

GRE-84-25 | Article on road projections as a new and intuitively understandable human-machine interface

GRE-84-26 | Article on Investigation on Headlights with High-resolution Projection Modules

GRE-84-27 | Article on real driving benefits and research findings with digital light functions

GRE-84-38/Rev1 | UN R 48: Proposal for Supplement to 06 and 07 series of amendments

GRE/2020/4/Rev.1 | Proposal for Supplements to UN R149 and to the 06 and 07 series of amendments to UN R48 Proposal to allow driver assistance projections on the road ahead of the vehicle as part of the Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB).

23. GRE noted that the revised proposal that allows the use of manufacturer logos inside the illuminant surface of a signalling lamps (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/5/Rev.1) would be postponed to the next session, due to the ongoing work on the proposal. In the interim, GRE reiterated its request to type approval authorities to refrain from granting type approvals to lamps with such logos.

GRE/2020/5/Rev.1 | Proposal for Supplements to UN Regulations Nos. 48 and 148 Proposal to allow the use of manufacturer logos inside the illuminant surface of a signalling lamp.

24. The expert of GTB proposed to clarify the determination of the apparent surface (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/5). GRE adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2021 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 7 to the 03 series, draft Supplement 20 to the 04 series, draft Supplement 15 to the 05 series, draft Supplement 15 to the 06 series, draft Supplement 2 to the 07 series and as part of the future 08 (see para. 27 below) series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48.

GRE/2021/5 | UN R48: Proposal for Supplement [16] to the 06 series and Supplement [02] to the 07 series of amendments Proposal to clarify determination of the apparent surface.

25. The expert from Germany proposed to clarify the installation requirements of the foremost side-marker lamps (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/8). GRE adopted this proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2021 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 15 to the 06 series, draft Supplement 2 to the 07 series and as part the future 08 (see para. 27 below) series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48.

GRE/2021/8 | UN R48: Proposal for an amendment to the 06, 07 and 08 series of amendments Proposal to clarify the requirements for the installation of the foremost side-marker lamp of 3 m from the front, which cannot always be achieved in case of semi-trailers.

26. The expert from the Special Interest Group tabled a proposal for a new series of amendments that defines the switching conditions of various lamps and the variable intensity of rear lamps in conjunction with traffic conditions (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/4 and GRE-84-22).

27. GRE agreed to remove the square brackets in the document and to keep the text inside. GRE adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2021 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as a new 08 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48. Following the adoption, the expert from OICA expressed the view that the adopted transitional provisions were too short for the industry.

GRE-84-22 | UN R 48: Proposal for 08 series of amendments Presentation to support the proposal

GRE/2021/4 | UN R48: Proposal for a new 08 series of amendments Proposal from the GRE Special Interest Group to define the switching conditions of dipped beam and daytime running lamps (DRL) and the variable intensity of rear lamps in conjunction with traffic conditions.

28. The expert from Japan presented a draft new series of amendments that introduces park conditions and an answer-back signal in the scope of UN Regulation No. 48 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/2, GRE-84-29 and GRE-84-30). The expert from OICA posed questions on the proposal (GRE-84-33) and the experts from Japan provided their replies (GRE-84-34). Several experts made further remarks on the functionalities of answer-back signals and the proposed selection of lamps for such signals.

29. The Chair concluded that the proposal would need fine-tuning. To make progress and prepare a revised proposal for the next session, GRE agreed to establish a Special Interest Group (SIG) on these topics, which would be co-chaired by the experts from Finland and the Netherlands while OICA would act as Secretary. GRE noted that the first meeting of SIG was planned to take place on 7 June 2021.

GRE-84-29 | UN R48: Proposal for 08 series of amendment Proposal to amend document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/2 proposal for 08 series of amendments

GRE-84-30 | UN R48: proposal for 08 series of amendments Proposal to amend document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/2

GRE-84-33 | UN R48: Proposal for new series of amendments

GRE-84-34 | UN R48: Response to questions on proposal to for a new series of amendment

GRE/2021/2 | UN R48: Proposal for a new [08] series of amendments Proposal to define the parking condition in the scope of UN R48 and to minimize hazards such as glare and distraction to other road users.

30. GRE addressed a revised proposal for a new series of amendments by the experts from CEMA that improved lateral lighting on vehicles, which were longer than 4.6 m, and took into account asymmetric vehicles designs. Subject to deletion of “between” in paragraph 6.12.1., GRE adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/7/Rev.1 and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2021 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as a new 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 86.

GRE/2020/7/Rev.1 | UN R86: Revised proposal for a draft amendment Proposal to improve lateral lighting on vehicles of more than 4.6 m, address asymmetric vehicle designs, make editorial corrections and to harmonize certain requirements with UN R48.

31. The expert of GTB proposed to insert missing text (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/6). GRE adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2021 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 4 to UN Regulation No. 149.

GRE/2021/6 | UN R149: Proposal for Supplement [4] Proposal to insert a new paragraph 3.2.5. corresponding to paragraph 4.4. in UN R119 which was unintentionally omitted from the original text of UN R149.

32. GRE was informed about the status of the International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA) and noted that the latest 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 0 on IWVTA had comprised UN Regulations Nos. 148, 149 and 150.

GRE-84-20 | IWG SLR: Status Report

33. The expert of IWG SLR and the secretariat briefed GRE on the progress of the electronic Database for the Exchange of Type Approval documentation (DETA) and that WP.29 had invited IWG SLR and IWG DETA to develop a proposal related to the use of DETA in the context of Unique Identifier (GRE-84-20 and GRE-84-23).

GRE-84-20 | IWG SLR: Status Report

GRE-84-23 | General Information and WP.29 highlights

34. GRE was informed about the considerations of the Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) at its recent session (March 2021) on the GRE/WP.1 common issues, including optical and/or audible signals of autonomous vehicles.

35. GRE also noted that the Inland Transport Committee (ITC), at its recent session in February 2021, had approved the WP.1 decision to establish a new Group of Experts tasked with drafting a new legal instrument on the use of automated vehicles in road traffic.

36. The expert from the Netherlands sought GRE guidance on the issue of old, possibly obsolete transitional provisions in former series of amendments to UN Regulations (GRE-80-06). GRE considered different approaches and decided to keep such old provisions in later series for the sake of record. GRE noted that, according to the revised 1958 Agreement, each series of amendments and Supplements to it constitute “a version of a UN Regulation” and that Contracting Parties may opt for application of former versions. Thus, different series of amendments to the same UN Regulation may be considered independent from each other and Supplements to the latest series do not automatically apply to previous series.

GRE-80-06 | Lighting regulations; Obsolete transitional provisions

37. Based on GRE-84-39-Rev.2, GRE adopted a list of main decisions (Annex II of the session report) in accordance with silence procedure. (The “silence procedure” has been instituted for virtual sessions and provides a period during which Contracting Parties may signal disagreement with a decision taken during the session. The decisions are deemed formally adopted if no objections are received after the session.)

38. The Chairman recalled that the following GRE priorities had been included in the draft WP.29 Programme of Work (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2021/1):

1. Stage 2 of the simplification of lighting and light-signalling UN Regulations with the aim to become future proof and technology neutral, with performance-based and objective test requirements.
2. Further development of the installation UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86.
3. improvements and clarifications including visibility and glare (headlamps, headlamp levelling, direction indicators, daytime running lamps, rear position lamps, etc.).
4. Further development of EMC requirements (UN Regulation No. 10).
5. Suitable application of the ‘Unique Identifier’ (‘UI’) for the lighting UN Regulations.

WP.29/2020/1 | WP.29 Programme of work

39. The expert from the Task Force on Autonomous Vehicle Signalling Requirements (TF AVSR) reported on their progress (GRE-84-19). He also mentioned a recent EC study on the effects of automation on road user behaviour and performance. GRE noted that a policy decision on the signalling requirements of autonomous vehicles fell in the scope of the Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) and its Informal Working Group on Functional Requirements of Automated/Autonomous Vehicles (IWG FRAV). GRE invited its Chair to contact the GRVA and IWG FRAV Chairs and to seek guidance on light-signalling requirements for autonomous vehicles. GRE agreed that the activities of TF AVSR would be put on hold until such guidance was received.

GRE-84-19 | TF AVSR (Autonomous Vehicle Signalling Requirements): Status Report

40. GRE was informed that the Task Force (TF) on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) resumed its activities. GRE took note of the TF EMC status report (GRE-84-11), including the additional input from the expert from the Netherlands, and recalled that UN Regulation No. 10 was included in the list of GRE priorities. GRE experts were invited to participate in the TF EMC activities.

GRE-84-11 | EMC task force status report to GRE

41. GRE noted that the next session had been scheduled for the week from 26 to 29 October 2021 and that the deadline for submission of working documents would be on 3 August 2021. GRE agreed to keep the same structure of the provisional agenda, subject to adding a new item on UN Regulation No. 10, deleting item 8 © “Obsolete transitional provisions” and moving item 9 to become a sub-item of item 8 “Other business”.