1. The Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP) held its seventy-first session virtually from 9 to 13 May 2022 in Geneva. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Martin Koubek (United States of America). Experts from the following countries participated in the work following Rule 1(a) of the Rules of Procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/690/Rev.1): Australia, Canada, China, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. The European Commission (EC) participated. Experts from the following non-governmental organizations participated: American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC), Consumers International (CI), EuroMed Transport Support Project, European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA), Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP), International Association of the Body and Trailer Building Industry (CLCCR), International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA), International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA), International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), International Towards Zero Foundation, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and World Bicycle Industry Association (WBIA).

2. Annex I of the session report lists the informal documents distributed during the session.

3. GRSP considered and adopted the agenda (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/1) proposed for the seventy-first session, the running order (GRSP-71-01-Rev.3) and the annotations (GRSP-71-14). GRSP informal working groups are listed in annex IV of this report.

GRSP-71-01/Rev.3 | GRSP 71 Running order of the provisional agenda

GRSP-71-14 | GRSP 71 Annotated provisional agenda

GRSP/2022/1 | GRSP: Annotated Provisional Agenda for the 71st (May 2022) session

4. GRSP considered the issue of UN GTR No. 9 Amendment 3 (Headform test) but concluded that since there was no new information made available to the experts, it was not possible to restart the discussions on Amendment 3. GRSP recalled the recommendation in the report of WP.29 (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1157, paragraphs 148 to 150) that in the interim, GRSP conclude its discussions on Amendment 4 on the Deployable Pedestrian Protection Systems (DPPS), which then be re-numbered as the new Amendment 3. The experts had agreed that when new information becomes available, experts from Germany, Netherlands, United States, other contracting parties and interested stakeholders would seek to reengage the discussion on the headform test as the new Amendment 4.

WP.29/2021/53 | GTR 9: Proposal for Amendment 3 Proposal to clarify provisions of the headform tests of UN GTR No. 9.

WP.29/2021/54 | GTR 9: Final progress report on the development of Amendment 3 Review of the work behind the proposal to clarify GTR 9, in particular concerning the definition of the headform testing/contact area for measurement purposes.

5. The expert from the Republic of Korea introduced GRSP-71-26, which is the progress report of IWG-Deployable Pedestrian Protection Systems (DPPS). He confirmed that the Phase 1 IWG would include: (a) detection area definition, (b) rationales and justifications for this phase to be included in the preamble, (c) deployed position and test method, (d) optional dynamic test, (e) numerical simulation for Head Impact Time (HIT) against Wrap Around Distance (WAD) information, (f) linear regression/optional linear regression, (g) head test area marking with un-deployed or with DPPS and original equipment manufacturers choice. He also added that a clear position from all contracting parties would be required as soon as possible. Moreover, he introduced the proposal of amendments (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/2) and he suggested an extension of the IWG mandate for one year to complete the planned work. Finally, he informed GRSP that the final report of IWG would be submitted to the December 2022 session of GRSP.

6. GRSP agreed to seek endorsement from WP.29 at its June 2022 session to extend the mandate of the UN GTR 9, IWG DPPS until November 2023.

GRSP-71-26 | UN GTR 9 : Informal Working Group on Deployable Pedestrian Protection Systems (IWG-DPPS) status report Presentation on the development of an amendment

GRSP/2022/2 | GTR 9: Proposal for Deployable Pedestrian Protection Systems provisions Proposal from the DPPS informal group to introduce specifications for deployable pedestrian protection systems. Proposal includes tentative bracketed text pending further informal group discussions.

7. The IWG Chair, on behalf of the co-sponsors (Japan, Republic of Korea, United States of America and European Commission) informed GRSP about an overview of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCV) on UN GTR No. 13, Phase 2 by referring to GRSP-71-21. Finally, he introduced the proposal of amendments (GRSP-71-09). GRSP requested experts to provide comments to the Chair and to the secretary of the Informal Working Group on Phase 2 of UN GTR No. 13 (HFCV) concerning the draft proposal of amendments (GRSP-71-09) by the end of May 2022, to provide a thorough official proposal to be discussed at the December 2022 session of GRSP.

8. He also informed GRSP that the Phase II of the UN GTR would aim to extend to commercial vehicles and that this last aspect would be of interest of the working group on transport of dangerous goods (WP.15). He informed GRSP about his intention to provide feedback of discussion with WP.15 at the December 2022 session of GRSP.

GRSP-71-09 | UN GTR13: Proposal for amendment 1 Test prepared by the experts of the Informal Working Group (IWG) on hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles (HFCV), UN Global Technical Regulation No. 13, Phase 2 (GTR13-PH2) and proposes enhancement of the global harmonisation of the technical requirements of compressed hydrogen storage systems and vehicles equipped with them.

GRSP-71-21 | UN GTR13: Overview of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Phase 2 Project

9. The IWG Chair, on behalf of the co-sponsors (China, Japan, United States of America and the European Commission) and all members of IWG GTR No. 20, Phase 2 reported on the progress of the IWG meeting by referring to GRSP-71-24. He also informed GRSP about his presentation to a Task Force of the Working Party on Transport of Perishable Foodstuffs (WP.11) on 5 May 2022 informing the group in response to their concern with possible emanation of gases from batteries that could contaminate food.

10. GRSP experts had the opportunity to follow the presentation organized by WP.15 in the parking lot of the Palais des Nations of an electric commercial vehicle.

GRSP-71-24 | EVS informal group status report on GTR 20-Phase 2

11. GRSP agreed to defer discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/20 on the updating of drawings of fixtures for booster seats, to its December 2022 session, awaiting more evidence of crash situations with real vehicles, of side impact and offset configurations.

GRSP/2021/20 | UN R16: Proposal for Supplement 4 to the 08 series of amendments Proposal to update the drawings of the child restraint booster seat volumes to allow the possibility of a support leg.

12. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/25 (UN Regulation No.16), on the extension of the support-leg, at its December 2022 session requesting more evidence of real crash situations.

GRSP/2021/25 | UN R16: Proposal for Supplement 4 to the 08 series of amendments Proposal to amend the current support leg volume to improve the compatibility between the support leg volume and the Child Restraint Fixtures used for assessing the external dimensions of an ECRS.

13. The expert from Japan informed GRSP that ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/3 on the safety-belts of seat positions equipped with the lower ISOFIX anchorages had been shared with a group of interested experts on 8 April 2022. He clarified also that agreement had not been reached in that meeting. GRSP agreed to defer discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/3 to its December 2022 session awaiting the follow-up of the group of interested parties meeting (that would be held in autumn 2022) coordinated by the expert from Japan.

GRSP/2022/3 | UN R16: Proposal for the 09 series of amendments Proposal to introduce new requirements for safety-belts of seat positions equipped with the lower ISOFIX anchorage to address safety-belt slippage up to the neck and submarining in ISOFIX-attached child booster seats.

14. GRSP resumed discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2019/15, superseded by GRSP-71-11-Rev.2, tabled by the expert from OICA on rearward faced CRS in rear seats in combination with a frontal airbag. The proposal aims to add a third alternative to the already existing airbag switch off or the automatic detection of a rearward faced CRS. This third alternative foresees that the frontal airbag remains activated in the case of specific CRS only when tested together with the frontal airbag. This concept was agreed during the December 2021 session of GRSP by the expert from EC and further agreed on during this May 2022 session by the experts from Germany, the Netherlands and CI. However, the experts from Italy and Sweden raised a study reservation. Therefore, GRSP requested the secretariat to distribute GRSP-71-11-Rev.2 with an official symbol at its December 2022 session.

GRSP-66-14 | UN R16: Proposal to amend document GRSP/2019/15 (Supplement 6 to the 07 series and Supplement 1 to 08 series of amendments) Proposal to clarify the test procedures and the different ECRS to be tested for the assessment of the system.

GRSP-71-11/Rev. 2 | UN R16: Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 07 series of amendments and for Supplement 4 to 08 series of amendments The proposal aims to introduce an optional (on the choice of the manufacturer) test procedure for frontal airbags in combination with rearward facing child restraint systems in the rear seat to demonstrate that no deactivation of the airbag is needed. The aim of the proposal is to promote new airbag technologies.

GRSP/2019/15 | UN R16: Proposal for Supplement 6 to the 07 series of amendments and for Supplement 1 to 08 series of amendments Proposal to introduce an optional (on the choice of the manufacturer) test procedure for frontal airbags in combination with rearward facing child restraint systems in the rear seat to demonstrate that no deactivation of the airbag is needed.

15. GRSP resumed discussion on the mandatory fitting of 3-point safety-belts on buses and coaches. The expert from Finland introduced a presentation (GRSP-71-07) justifying the introduction of 3-point safety-belts on buses and proposing an official document for the December 2022 session of GRSP to remove the lap belt derogations from the UN Regulations Nos. 14 (Safety-belt anchorages) and 16. He clarified that his intention was not to amend UN Regulation No. 80 but to amend UN Regulations Nos. 14 and 16. The expert from OICA underlined that it was relevant to investigate what the driver should do in situations when a passenger was not wearing a safety-belt. He suggested that the issue be addressed to the expert of the International Road Union on the consequences of driver’s operators. He also recalled to GRSP the cost benefit analysis introduced by the expert from Finland (GRSP-70-07) at the December 2021 session of GRSP. He argued that analysis was the result of a low number of vehicles and data, and he requested more data from accidents. The expert from United Kingdom proposed data from his country. GRSP agreed to resume discussion at its December 2022 session on the basis of a proposal tabled by the expert from Finland, concerning the mandatory fitment of 3-point safety-belts on buses and coaches. GRSP also agreed that the proposal would be supported with statistical data on accidents linked to this subject, provided by the contracting parties to show evidence of the safety issue addressed by the expert from Finland.

GRSP-70-06 | Three-point safety belts in buses and coaches

GRSP-70-07 | Estimate of the cost and impact of three-point seat belts in buses in Finland

GRSP-71-07 | UN R16: Update on the use of three-point safety-belts in buses and coaches

16. The expert from France introduced GRSP-71-13 on clarification of how to assess the connection of the safety-belt reminder system in the case of removable seats. A study reservation came from several experts, so GRSP agreed to resume discussion on GRSP-71-13 at its December 2022 session and requested the secretariat to distribute the proposal with an official symbol at that session.

GRSP-71-13 | UN R16: Proposal for Supplement 4 to the 08 series of amendments and Supplement 8 to the 07 series of amendments Text to clarify how the assessment of the connection of the Safety-belt reminder system in case of removable seats has to be done.

17. GRSP agreed to suspend consideration of GRSP-70-27 at its next sessions, which proposed to amend the test of devices to protect occupants against displacement of luggage, due to the lack of additional data and interest by GRSP experts on this subject and to remove this item from the agenda of its next sessions for the time being.

GRSP-70-27 | UN R17: Proposal for the 11 series of amendments Proposal to introduce requirements to position test dummies in the rear seating positions, including a 50th percentile male ATD in the middle position, under the dynamic test.

18. The expert from the Netherlands introduced GRSP-71-17 to GRSP which decided to collect more information on the barriers that have been used for type approval testing of lateral impact and on their compliance or not with UN Regulation No. 95. For the time being, GRSP agreed to resume discussion at the December 2022 session until more information would be made available to make sure that barriers used for type approval testing are fully compliant.

GRSP-70-29 | UN R95: Front Plate Elongation Requirement Review

GRSP-71-17 | UN R95: Current status on non-compliance of side-impact barrier

19. GRSP agreed to resume discussion at its December 2022 session on GRSP-71-05 (tabled by the expert from France) on the interpretation of “mechanical integrity” when testing electric batteries, in the follow-up to the study reservations from several of its experts.

GRSP-71-05 | UN R100: Request for interpretation and guidance on the way of testing the battery in 02 series of amendment

20. GRSP discussed a proposal of amendment to UN Regulation No. 100, tabled by the expert from CLCCR that would introduce provisions for a type of electric axle in a trailer (GRSP-71-06). Following a study reservation from a number of experts, GRSP agreed to resume discussion on GRSP-71-06 at its December 2022 session and requested the secretariat to distribute the proposal with an official symbol at that session.

GRSP-69-30 | Advanced axles in trailers

GRSP-71-06 | UN R100: Proposal for Supplement 3 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal aimed at developing measures/technologies by trailer manufacturers for a reduction of CO2 emissions.

21. The expert from Japan introduced GRSP-71-04 on facilitating the administration of the two-stage requirements introduced in the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 127. GRSP adopted GRSP-71-04, as reproduced in annex II to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 127 (Pedestrian safety) for consideration and vote at the November 2022 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

GRSP-71-04 | UN R127: Proposal for Supplement 1 to 03 series of amendments Proposed text to facilitate the administrative control of two-stage requirements introduced in the 03 series of amendment. The two levels of stringency in terms of the wrap around distance (WAD) boundary of the bonnet top test area will be approved and that may be identified only by the notice of approval in accordance with Annex 1, part 2.

22. The expert from Germany introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/24, on new provisions to cope with the Adjustable Ride Height Suspension System (ARHSS). GRSP also considered GRSP-71-15-Rev.3 amending ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/24. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/4 as amended by annex II (GRSP-71-15-Rev.3) to the report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as the draft 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 127 (Pedestrian Safety) for consideration and vote at the November 2022 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1. Moreover, GRSP agreed that the GRSP Chair would seek guidance at the WP.29 June 2022 session, highlighting the May 2022 session of GRSP, concerning the interpretation of the acceptance of type approvals to the preceding series of amendments (singular or plural) to be mentioned in transitional provisions of UN Regulations in general. In the meantime, GRSP agreed that the expert of Japan (Ambassador of IWVTA to GRSP) would inform the meeting of IWVTA IWG about this issue prior to the June 2022 session of WP.29.

GRSP-71-15/Rev. 3 | UN R127: Proposal for the 04 series of amendments Proposal to amend document GRSP/2022/4 concerning provisions for Adjustable Ride Height Suspension Systems (ARHSS). This proposal supersedes the previous proposals in documents GRSP-67-07, GRSP-68-18 and GRSP-70-17.

GRSP/2022/4 | UN R127: Proposal for the 04 series of amendments Proposal to introduce new requirements to address vehicles equipped with Adjustable Ride Height Suspension Systems (ARHSS).

23. The experts from France and OICA presented GRSP-71-20-Rev.1, a proposal of amendment (GRSP-71-16-Rev.1) to clarify the definitions of the cowl monitoring and windscreen areas, as well as of the jerk area. However, the experts from Germany and the Netherlands suggested establishing an ad hoc group to solve other issues with the proposal. GRSP agreed to establish an ad hoc group to develop an amendment based on GRSP-71-16-Rev.1 that would be submitted as official document to the December 2022 session of GRSP. GRSP also noted that the experts from France (Ms. A. Garo: contact) and OICA (Ms. I. Dausse: contact) would be nominated as focal points of the ad hoc group.

GRSP-71-16/Rev. 1 | UN R127: Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments The proposed test makes a few minor adaptations and clarifications to the existing requirements.

GRSP-71-20/Rev. 1 | UN R127: Presentation on the proposal for Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments

24. Referring to the decision taken under agenda item 5 (see paragraph 12 above) on a parallel proposal submitted by the expert from CLEPA, GRSP agreed to resume discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/26, on the extension of the support-leg, at its December 2022 session based on more evidence of real crash data.

GRSP/2021/26 | UN R129: Proposal for Supplement 7 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal to amend the current support leg volume to improve the compatibility between the support leg volume and the Child Restraint Fixtures used for assessing the external dimensions of an Enhanced Child Restraint System (ECRS).

25. The expert from CLEPA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/5, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/6 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/7 to correct previous editing mistakes. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/5, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/6 both not amended and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/7 as amended by annex III to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposals as draft Supplement 9 to the 01 series of amendments, Supplement 8 to the 02 and as Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 129 (Enhanced child Restraint Systems (ECRS)) for consideration and vote at the November 2022 sessions of WP.29 and to the AC.1.

GRSP/2022/5 | UN R129: Proposal for Supplement 9 to the 01 series of amendments Proposal to correct editorial mistakes in the adopted text of the Regulation.

GRSP/2022/6 | UN R129: Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 02 series of amendments Proposal to correct editorial errors in the adopted text of the Regulation.

GRSP/2022/7 | UN R129: Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal to correct editorial errors in the adopted text of the Regulation.

26. The expert from the Netherlands, on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/8 aiming at clarifying the requirements for monitoring the chest deflection of the Q10 dummy as well as the correct measurement of the location of the thoracic spine. He also introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/9, complemented by GRSP-71-02, on behalf of the Ad-Hoc group on annex 25 (Spain, Germany, Netherlands, TSG, CLEPA) to amend the existing procedure of measuring the prescriptions of the minimum sitting height for booster cushions. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/8 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/9 not amended (to be combined with ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/7). In the meantime, GRSP-71-02 was adopted for the sole purpose of helping the calculation of the minimum stature height (without any mandatory legal basis) as prescribed by ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/9, and therefore GRSP-71-02 would not be submitted to WP.29 and AC.1 for adoption. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposals as part of (see para. 25 above) draft Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 129 (Enhanced child Restraint Systems) for consideration and vote at the November 2022 sessions of WP.29 and to the AC.1. Moreover, it was agreed that a new webpage under “reference material” on the website of WP.29 would be on the above-mentioned calculator (GRSP-71-02).

GRSP-71-02 | UN R129: Proposal for amendment to the smallest stature calculator

GRSP/2022/8 | UN R129: Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal to clarify the requirements for monitoring the chest deflection of the Q10 dummy and for the correct measurement of the location of the thoracic spine.

GRSP/2022/9 | UN R129: Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 03 series of amendments Proposal to amend the existing procedure that measures the prescriptions of the minimum sitting height for booster cushions.

27. GRSP considered GRSP-71-19 under agenda item 14 (see para. 31 below).

GRSP-71-19 | UN R129: Presentation on legislation issues

28. GRSP agreed to keep the current definitions of “Fire” and “Explosion” in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/71 unchanged (submitted for consideration and vote at the June 2022 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1). GRSP also agreed that these definitions would be first discussed by the informal working group on UN GTR No. 20, Phase 2 of EVS and that feedback from that discussion would be presented at its December 2022 session.

WP.29/2022/71 | UN R135: Proposal for the 02 series of amendments Proposal to align UN R135 with the provisions of GTR 20 on post-crash electrical safety and the administrative provisions of Revision 3 to the 1958 Agreement. The proposed amendments only relate to vehicles with an electric power train operating at high voltage.

29. GRSP resumed discussion on the approval of the replacement units of removable Rechargeable Electric Energy Storage System (REESS), on the basis of feedback from contracting parties and from the informal working group on UN GTR No. 20 (Electric Vehicle Safety). GRSP expected information from contracting parties on whether the approval of removable REESS also covers the replacement units. Moreover, GRSP expected an analysis coordinated by the experts from Italy, IMMA and other stakeholders on verifying the need for a separate UN Regulation specifically dedicated to REESS replacement units.

30. New information was not submitted on the inclusion of L7 category of vehicles into the scope of the UN Regulation No. 137, although GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this agenda item while awaiting feedback on the consultations among concerned parties.

31. The expert from the Netherland introduced a presentation (GRSP-71-19), highlighting the lack of definition of “lower strap anchorages” or “lower tether anchorages”, as well as of specific strength requirements for the straps, the tethers and possible retractors used. GRSP agreed to discussion at its December 2022 session on a proposal of amendments on lower strap anchorages by an ad hoc group led by the expert from the Netherlands.

GRSP-71-19 | UN R129: Presentation on legislation issues

32. GRSP agreed to defer discussion of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2021/29 to its December 2022 session.

GRSP/2021/29 | UN R153: Proposal for Supplement 2 Proposal to clarify the conditions under which variations of a vehicle can be covered under a single vehicle type without having to apply for a separate approval for another type. The proposal amends certain current provisions that explicitly state that differences will only cause a new type of vehicle if the differences affect the results of the impact test and clarifies the application of this principle across the regulation.

33. GRSP noted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/10 on the comments and questions received by the expert from the United Kingdom for the follow-up to the adoption of the Addendum 1 to Mutual Resolution No. 1 (Specifications for the Construction, Preparation and Certification of the 50th percentile male Biofidelic Rear Impact Dummy, anthropomorphic test Device (BioRID-II UN)) by WP.29 at its 185th session. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2022/10 not amended. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft Amendment 3, Addendum 1 to Mutual Resolution No. 1 for consideration and vote at the November 2022 sessions of WP.29 and the Executive Committee of the 1998 Agreement (AC.3).

GRSP/2022/10 | MR 1: Proposal for Addendum 1 Proposal for specifications for the Construction, Preparation and Certification of the 50th percentile male Biofidelic Rear Impact Dummy (BioRID-II UN) anthropomorphic test Device.

34. GRSP considered GRSP-71-23, tabled by the expert from Sweden on the informal evaluation by the ad hoc group of experts (on Equitable Occupant Protection) on the technical merits of a study from Sweden on female occupants. GRSP endorsed the approach of the ad hoc group to continue reviews of existing and pending research, and share ongoing research on safety diversity of gender, stature and mass of all occupants, in recognition of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 16, in particular. It was also agreed to seek guidance at the WP.29 June 2022 session on the possible cooperation of WP.6 – Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (ECE Trade Division) on developing gender responsive standards, as suggested by the expert from Sweden. Finally, GRSP was informed by the experts from the United Kingdom and the United States of the International Conference on Enhanced Safety of Vehicles, planned for May 2023 in Yokohoma, Japan, during which a panel devoted to road safety equality issues would convene.

35. The expert from Spain, Chair of the informal working group on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP about the progress (GRSP-71-03). She confirmed that the group was developing a first phase assessing: (a) buses and coaches M2 and M3 categories, excluding those which have areas for standing passengers if they can host ECRS (i.e. Class I and A) and (b) built-in systems. Phase 2, she added, would assess ECRS in combination with the 2-point belt and other classes of buses. At the request of the Chair, GRSP agreed to seek endorsement of WP.29 at its June 2022 session to extend the IWG mandate until March 2024.

GRSP-71-03 | Informal Working Group on Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches (IWG-STCBC): Status report

36. At the request of WP.29 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1164, paragraphs 27 to 30), a majority of GRSP experts agreed to establish a task force with Germany as coordinator and OICA as secretariat, that would in Autumn 2022, start to screen the UN Regulations and UN GTRs under its responsibility. Screening would be related to drivers, to accommodate for autonomous driving. The task force would include experts from China, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Spain, United States, EC, CLEPA and OICA for the time being.

37. No new information was provided under this agenda item. The representative of OICA however welcomed the ITC recommendations for enhancing national road safety systems, in particular on the role that authorities can play to ensure adequate safety of vehicles placed on their markets by introducing the necessary vehicle legislation. He stressed that such mandatory legislation also safeguards fair, free and open competition and strongly promoted the widespread implementation of legislation developed under the UN framework.

38. No new information was provided under this agenda item.

39. The expert from Japan, ambassador of IWVTA, informed GRSP that the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 0 adopted at the November 2022 session of WP.29, had been supplemented with transitional provisions, which were adopted at the March 2022 session of WP.29. He also added that IWVTA IWG continued working on a proposal for the 05 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 0. He explained that the 05 series amends annex 4, which lists the UN Regulations that apply to UN Regulation No. 0 as well as the series of amendments to UN Regulations, e.g. the latest series of UN Regulations Nos. 94, 95, 100 and 137 (under GRSP) which had entered into force in June 2021. Moreover, he informed GRSP that currently, stakeholders were reviewing the possible updating of each UN Regulations listed in annex 4. Finally, he informed GRSP that IWVTA IWG had scheduled a discussion for the meeting of 17 June 2022, and expected to submit an informal document to the June session of WP.29.

40. The expert from Finland, on behalf of the informal working group on Database for Exchange of Approval documentation (DETA) introduced the proposal for extension of DETA to improve the use of the Unique Identifier (UI) for UN Regulations (GRSP-71-22). GRSP agreed to request the expert from CLEPA to prepare a document listing the current marking requirements in the UN Regulations under GRSP, for submission to its December 2022 session which would then be used to determine which UN Regulations could be allowed to use UI and how it could be done. Moreover, it was agreed to determine the UN Regulations where the UI would not provide any added value.

GRSP-71-22 | UN R0: Proposal for extension of DETA to improve the use of the Unique Identifier for UN Regulations

41. The Secretary reported on the highlights (GRSP-71-10) of the 186th session of WP.29 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1164).

GRSP-71-10 | Highlights of WP29 March 2022 session

42. The expert from the Netherlands introduced a presentation (GRSP-71-08) on the background history of the work on harmonizing the three-dimensional H-point machine (3D H-point machine) that had ended. He urged that the work resume as soon as possible since the setting of the H-point stature was unclear and not consistent. He explained that Technical Services and laboratories accredited to ISO 17025, had met problems accrediting their test procedures, since the 3D H-point machines available on the market do not meet or cannot be calibrated according to the old specifications. GRSP agreed to restart the discussion on the lack of harmonization of the 3D H-point machine so as to reach a common understanding and solutions with the support of GRSP.

GRSP-71-08 | Three-dimensional H-point machine : Current state of play

43. No new information was provided under this agenda item.

44. GRSP noted the results of discussions on this subject at the recent session of the Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP) and of the Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling (GRE). GRSP agreed to closely follow discussions and follow-up from GRBP and GRE on the subject of children left in cars, and be ready to coordinate the efforts (either IWG or task force) of the experts of these working parties, if requested by WP.29.

45. The expert from France introduced GRSP-71-12, to clarify the procedure and the characteristics of the measuring device used in the compliance test for the vehicle exhaust system. GRSP endorsed in principle GRSP-71-12 and requested the secretariat to distribute it with an official symbol at its December 2022 session.

GRSP-71-12 | UN R134: Proposal for Supplement 5 to the original version and Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments Text to clarify the procedure and the characteristics of the measuring device used for the compliance test for the vehicle exhaust system.

46. The expert from the Netherlands gave a presentation (GRSP-71-18) to introduce a future proposal of amendments to UN Regulation No. 134, considering the background of UN Regulations Nos. 12, 94 and 95 to have a consistent approach in all crash test configurations. He added that all UN Regulations on vehicle impact concern vehicle categories M1 and N1 against a passenger car (M1) and are not intended to cover the impact of a truck or bus against another vehicle. Impact tests were not required for N2, N3, M2 and M3 category of vehicles. The expert from OICA further proposed to establish a task force to align UN Regulation No. 134 with UN GTR No. 13, Phase 2. GRSP agreed to establish the task force with the Netherlands as coordinator and OICA (Ms. A. Schuessling, contact) as secretariat, which would start transposing UN GTR No. 13, Phase 2 into UN Regulation No. 134. Participants would include the experts from France, Japan, EC, CLEPA and other stakeholders for the time being. The task force would be expected to encompass GRSP-71-12 into the solutions provided for the issues highlighted in GRSP-71-18 and submit at least an informal document to the December 2022 session of GRSP.

GRSP-71-12 | UN R134: Proposal for Supplement 5 to the original version and Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments Text to clarify the procedure and the characteristics of the measuring device used for the compliance test for the vehicle exhaust system.

GRSP-71-18 | UN R134: Presentation on practical issues

47. GRSP agreed that all GRSP experts should check if a text (allowing tolerances on the vehicle mass and simplified testing) that was deleted intentionally by the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 94 (among others), as shown in GRSP-71-25. As a follow-up to this check by GRSP experts, Germany would prepare a proposal to re-introduce the text into UN Regulations for Nos. 94, 95, 135 and 137.

GRSP-71-25 | UN R94: Proposal for amendments Collective amendments to UN R94 (Frontal collision), UN R95 (Lateral collision) and UN R137 (Frontal Impact with focus on restraint systems). Aim of this document is, to clarify, if it was the intention of Informal Document GRSP-66-32 to delete paragraph 7.1.2.1. to 7.1.2.2.2. If it was the intention to delete these paragraphs, do we still need the simplified test described in Annex 7 of the Regulation?

48. GRSP agreed on the main list of decisions in GRSP-71-28-Rev.1, as reproduced in annex V to this report, taken during the session for approval under the silence procedure of 72 hours by the participating delegations to the session, as part of the special procedures established for the COVID-19 pandemic period (ECE/EX/2020/L.12).

GRSP-71-28/Rev. 1 | GRSP 71: Decisions submitted to silence procedure

49. The experts of the European Commission on behalf of the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America each read statements on their country’s position in the Russian Federation/Ukraine crisis. The statements are reproduced in annex VI of the session report.

50. The intervention of an expert of the Russian Federation highlighted the use of WP.29, the ECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, for political statements as not in line with the terms of reference of WP.29. The statement of the Russian Federation is reproduced in annex VI of the session report.

51. GRSP took note that Messrs. F. Bendjellal (CLEPA) and P. Broertjes (European Commission) would no longer attend the sessions. GRSP commended their commitment to the work and their continued contributions during their years of participation in the sessions. GRSP wished Messrs. F. Bendjellal and P. Broertjes all the best in their future activities and recognized their commitments with a long applause.

52. GRSP noted that its seventy-second session was scheduled to be held in Geneva from 5 December (2.30 p.m.) to 9 December (12.30 p.m.) 2022. GRSP noted that the deadline for the submission of official documents to the secretariat is 12 September 2022, twelve weeks prior to the session. GRSP is expected to follow a proposal (GRSP-71-29) for the provisional agenda.

GRSP-71-29 | GRSP-72: Annotated provisional agenda for the December 2022 session