1. The Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling (GRE) held its eighty-eighth session from 25 to 28 April 2023 in Geneva. The meeting was chaired by Mr. T. 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) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/690/Rev.2): Australia, Canada, China, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. An expert from the European Commission (EC) participated. Experts from the following non governmental organizations also took part in the session: American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC), European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA), European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), International Association of the Body and Trailer Building Industry (CLCCR), International Automotive Lighting and Light Signalling Expert Group (GTB), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA), 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/2023/1), as reproduced in GRE-88-01 together with the informal documents distributed during the session. GRE also noted the running order proposed by the Chair (GRE-88-06).

GRE-88-01 | GRE: Updated agenda for the 88th (April 2023) session

GRE-88-06 | GRE-88: Running order of the agenda for the April 2023 session

GRE/2023/1 | GRE: Annotated provisional agenda for the 88th (April 2023) session

GRE/2023/1 | GRE: Annotated provisional agenda for the 88th (April 2023) session

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

4. GRE noted the highlights of the November 2022 and March 2023 sessions of WP.29 (GRE-88-12-Rev.1).

GRE-88-12/Rev.1 | GRE-88: General information and WP.29 highlights

5. No information was reported under this item.

6. GRE recalled that, at its eighty-sixth session, it had supported the concept on vehicle whole-life compliance that had been prepared by the Informal Working Group on Periodical Technical Inspections (IWG PTI) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/145). GRE noted that a revised version of this document was expected to be presented at the June 2023 session of WP.29.

GRE-86-04 | Proposal for a Framework Document on Vehicle Whole-Life Compliance

WP.29/2022/145 | Framework Document on Vehicle Whole-Life Compliance Proposal from the PTI informal group to provide guidance for use across WP.29 bodies to coordinate the different stages of the legal life of vehicles, equipment and parts.

7. GRE noted the progress of the Informal Working Group “Simplification of the Lighting and Light-Signalling Regulations” (IWG SLR) and issues for consideration under step 2 of stage 2 of the simplification process (GRE-88-07), in particular:

• Simplifying and improving the definition of an apparent surface.
• Objective assessment of the actual functions as installed on the vehicle.
• Where possible, harmonizing requirements with other regions.
• Consistency among similar requirements and definitions in installation regulations.

GRE-88-07 | SLR informal group: Progress report

8. The experts of IWG SLR presented an updated proposal for a new 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 that introduced revised requirements for headlamp levelling (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/8/Rev.3). GRE adopted the technical provisions of the proposal. In view of other proposals on the agenda that could become part of the new 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48, GRE agreed to address the transitional provisions for the new series under agenda item 6 (a).

GRE/2020/8/Rev.3 | UN R48: Proposal for a new [09] 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.

9. The experts of IWG SLR introduced proposals for amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86 that enabled a phasing out of the installation of older lamps/devices (respectively, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/3, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/4, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/5 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/6).

GRE-88-27 | UN R48: Proposal for a 09 series of amendments Revision of text in document GRE/2023/3 from the SLR informal group to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps and devices following the measures undertaken pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

GRE/2023/3 | UN R48: Proposal for a new [09] series of amendments Proposal to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps and devices following the measures undertaken pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

GRE/2023/4 | UN R53: Proposal for a new [04] series of amendments Proposal to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps and devices pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

GRE/2023/5 | UN R74: Proposal for a new [03] series of amendments Proposal to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps/devices pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

GRE/2023/6 | UN R86: Proposal for a new [03] series of amendments Proposal to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps/devices pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

10. Subject to removal of the square brackets and keeping the text inside, GRE adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/4, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/5 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/6 and requested the secretariat to submit them for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and the Administrative Committee (AC.1) as a new 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 53, a new 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 74 and a new 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 86.

GRE/2023/4 | UN R53: Proposal for a new [04] series of amendments Proposal to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps and devices pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

GRE/2023/5 | UN R74: Proposal for a new [03] series of amendments Proposal to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps/devices pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

GRE/2023/6 | UN R86: Proposal for a new [03] series of amendments Proposal to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps/devices pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

11. GRE adopted GRE-88-27 as a replacement of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/3 and decided to include it in a new 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 (see paragraph 21 below).

GRE-88-27 | UN R48: Proposal for a 09 series of amendments Revision of text in document GRE/2023/3 from the SLR informal group to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps and devices following the measures undertaken pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

GRE/2023/3 | UN R48: Proposal for a new [09] series of amendments Proposal to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps and devices following the measures undertaken pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

12. GRE noted a request of the Informal Working Group for Electronic Database for the Exchange of Type Approval documentation (IWG DETA) to provide clarity on the UN Regulations for which the Unique Identifier (UI) markings may be applied (GRE-88-02-Rev.1 and GRE-88-03-Rev.1). The expert from the International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA) recalled its previous position on the need for additional markings in case of UI, to ensure the availability of sufficient information on the device for periodic and roadside inspections (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2022/13, GRE-87-07). Some experts pointed out that additional markings would run counter the very idea of UI.

13. To review UN Regulations under its purview for the purposes of UI (GRE-88-26), GRE made the following classifications:

1. Obsolete device UN Regulations that had been frozen in the course of two freezing exercises;
2. New simplified device UN Regulations Nos. 148, 149 and 150;
3. Installation UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86;
4. Light sources UN Regulations Nos. 37, 99 and 128; and
5. Standalone UN Regulations Nos. 10, 45 and 65.

14. GRE agreed that UI could be used for the group (b) above, but definitely not for (a) and probably not for (c) and (d). For the group (e), GRE invited IWG SLR and the Informal Working Group on Electromagnetic Compatibility (IWG EMC) to prepare recommendations. Finally, GRE decided to revert to this topic at the next session, including the issue of additional markings.

GRE-87-07 | Unique Identifier – the impact in periodic and roadside inspection

GRE-88-02/Rev.1 | DETA: Unique Identifier-Proposed actions

GRE-88-03/Rev.1 | DETA: UN Regulations and application of Unique Identifier

GRE-88-26 | DETA: Unique Identifier Review of UN Regulations under the purview of GRE

GRE/2022/13 | Proposal for amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 148, 149 and 150 Proposal to ensure the availability of sufficient information on the lighting device for periodic and roadside inspections.

15. The expert of the Task Force on Substitutes and Retrofits (TF SR) informed GRE about their activities (GRE-88-13) and announced the next meeting of TF SR on 14 June 2023. He reported that TF SR was considering two approaches for including high power light-emitting diode replacement (LEDr) light sources in UN Regulation No. 37 and in the Consolidated Resolution on the Common Specification of Light Source Categories (R.E.5), namely “intelligent equivalence” on the light source level and “application-level equivalence”. The experts from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom supported the first approach.

GRE-88-13 | LED Substitutes/Retrofits task force status report

16. The expert from CLCCR tabled a revised proposal that increases the number of manoeuvring lamps on trailers according to the length of the trailer (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2022/25/Rev.1 and GRE-88-24). Following an in-depth discussion, GRE adopted the proposal as contained in GRE-88-24, subject to the replacement of “must” with “shall” in paragraph 6.26.2. and decided to include in a new 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48.

GRE-88-24 | UN R48: Revised proposal for a new series of amendments Revised proposal to increase the number of manoeuvring lamps on trailers according to the length of the trailer.

GRE/2022/25/Rev.1 | UN R48: Proposal for a new series of amendments Proposal to increase the number of manoeuvring lamps on trailers according to the length of the trailer.

17. The expert from OICA proposed aligning the requirement for the visibility of red light towards the front and/or white light toward the rear of the vehicle in various series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 with the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulations Nos.148 and 149 (GRE-88-17 and GRE-88-18).

18. GRE adopted GRE-88-18 and decided to include it in a new 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48. GRE also adopted GRE-88-17 as a Supplement to the series of amendments from 03 to 08 of UN Regulation No. 48. GRE requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 19 to the 06 series of amendments, draft Supplement 6 to the 07 series of amendments and draft Supplement 4 to the 08 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48. GRE decided to postpone the submission of these amendments for the 03, 04 and 05 series of amendments, in order to combine them with future amendment proposals to the same series of amendments.

GRE-88-17 | UN R48: Proposal for Supplements to the 03 through 08 series of amendments Proposal to align UN R48 from the 03 to the 08 series of amendments with 01 series of amendments to UN Regulations Nos.148 and 149.

GRE-88-18 | UN R48: Proposal for a Supplement to 09 series of amendments Proposal to align the draft 09 series of amendments of UN R48 with 01 series of amendments to UN R148 and R149.

19. The expert from the Special Interest Group (SIG) on the 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 reported on their activities (GRE-88-15-Rev.1) and presented their new proposal that add the park condition of a vehicle in the scope of UN Regulation No. 48 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/2). Following an in-depth consideration, GRE adopted the technical content as laid down in GRE-88-16-Rev.3.

GRE-88-15/Rev.1 | UN R48 09 series special interest group status report to GRE

GRE-88-16/Rev.3 | UN R48: Proposal for a 09 series of amendments Proposal to add the park condition of a vehicle in the scope of UN R48 and to minimise hazards, such as glare and distraction, to other road users. This document supersedes the proposal in document GRE/2023/2.

GRE/2023/2 | UN R48: Proposal for a new series of amendments Proposal from the Special Interest Group (SIG) on the 09 series of amendments to add parked conditions of a vehicle in the scope of UN R48 and to minimise hazards, such as glare and distraction, to other road users.

20. The expert from OICA proposed to prolong the transitional provisions for the 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 (GRE-88-22-Rev.3 and GRE-88-23-Rev.2). As a compromise, GRE adopted the transitional provisions as contained in annex II to the session report.

GRE-88-22/Rev.3 | UN R48: Proposal for Transitional Provisions for the draft 09 series of amendments

GRE-88-23/Rev.2 | 1958 Agreement: Overview of transitional provisions

21. The Chair summarized that the following draft amendments were adopted at this session and would become part of the draft 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48:

1. Headlamp levelling (paragraph 8 above);
2. Device transition (paragraph 11);
3. Park condition (paragraph 19);
4. Manoeuvring lamps on trailers (paragraph 16);
5. Visibility of red light towards the front and/or white light toward the rear (paragraph 18); and
6. Transitional provisions (paragraph 20).

22. GRE decided to submit the above proposals for consideration and vote at the March 2024 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as a new 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48. At its next session in October 2023, GRE agreed to editorially confirm these proposals without modifying their substantial content and requirements. To this end, GRE suggested that a consolidated text of the draft 09 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48 be prepared.

GRE-88-16/Rev.3 | UN R48: Proposal for a 09 series of amendments Proposal to add the park condition of a vehicle in the scope of UN R48 and to minimise hazards, such as glare and distraction, to other road users. This document supersedes the proposal in document GRE/2023/2.

GRE-88-17 | UN R48: Proposal for Supplements to the 03 through 08 series of amendments Proposal to align UN R48 from the 03 to the 08 series of amendments with 01 series of amendments to UN Regulations Nos.148 and 149.

GRE-88-18 | UN R48: Proposal for a Supplement to 09 series of amendments Proposal to align the draft 09 series of amendments of UN R48 with 01 series of amendments to UN R148 and R149.

GRE-88-22/Rev.3 | UN R48: Proposal for Transitional Provisions for the draft 09 series of amendments

GRE-88-23/Rev.2 | 1958 Agreement: Overview of transitional provisions

GRE-88-24 | UN R48: Revised proposal for a new series of amendments Revised proposal to increase the number of manoeuvring lamps on trailers according to the length of the trailer.

GRE-88-27 | UN R48: Proposal for a 09 series of amendments Revision of text in document GRE/2023/3 from the SLR informal group to enable the phasing out of the installation of older lamps and devices following the measures undertaken pursuant to the simplification of lighting regulations under GRE.

GRE/2020/8/Rev.3 | UN R48: Proposal for a new [09] 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.

23. The expert from OICA proposed to allow logos smaller than 5 cm2 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/10). A number of experts from contracting parties delivered critical remarks and were not in a position to support the proposal.

GRE/2023/10 | UN R48: Proposal for a Supplement to the 06, 07 and 08 series of amendments Proposal to allow logos smaller than 5 cm² on the surface of lighting devices.

24. The expert from GTB introduced a proposal that allows a road projection pattern for predicted trajectory (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/7). The expert from France proposed modifying the speed limit, in conjunction with ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/8 (see the next paragraph). The expert from Japan sought a proof that this pattern would not negatively affect other road users. The Chair invited GTB to liaise with Japan on this matter.

25. The expert from GTB proposed amendments that extend the possibility to project driver assistance symbols and patterns to the passing-beam headlamps of adaptive front-lighting systems (AFS). These amendments were accompanied by a corresponding amendment to UN Regulation No. 149 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/8 and GRE-88-25-Rev.1). GRE adopted the proposals, as laid down in GRE-88-25-Rev.1, and requested the secretariat to submit them for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149, part of draft Supplement 19 to the 06 series of amendments, part of draft Supplement 6 to the 07 series of amendments and part of draft Supplement 4 to the 08 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 48.

GRE/2023/7 | UN R48: Proposal for a Supplement to the 06, 07 and 08 series of amendments Proposal to allow the projection of a pattern for predicted trajectory.

GRE/2023/8 | Proposal for a Supplement to the 06, 07 and 08 series of UN R48 and the 01 series of UN R149 Proposal to extend to AFS passing-beam headlamps the possibility to project driver assistance symbols and patterns

26. The expert of the Task Force on Autonomous Vehicle Signalling Requirements (TF AVSR) submitted draft amendments that aimed to introduce vehicles with automated driving features or an Automated Driving System (ADS) in UN Regulation No. 48 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/9). Experts pointed out a number of issues that would need further consideration, in particular the introduction of two new definitions (in square brackets). GRE requested TF AVSR to present the proposals to the Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) with a view to ensuring compatibility of definitions.

GRE/2023/9 | UN R48: Proposal for a Supplement Proposal from the task force on Automated Vehicle Signalling Requirements to introduce provisions for vehicles with a driving system controlling its operation or operated by driver-support features, automated driving features, or an Automated Driving System and provide lighting requirements adapted to such vehicles and operating modes.

27. The expert from Australia wondered whether or not UN Regulation No. 48 allows for the fitment of lamps other than those that are listed as mandatory or optional in the Regulation, or that meet the definition of an external status indicator, for example, low intensity lamps, lamps for emergency service vehicles, and/or other types of status indicators (GRE-88-14). The expert from the Netherlands expressed the view that the fitment of such lamps should not be allowed (“not mentioned, not fitted”). The Chair recalled that UN Regulation No. 48 does not contain provisions on some lamps for which installation requirements falls within the competence of national legislation of contracting parties, for example, special warning lamps under UN Regulation No. 65. The expert from Australia pointed out that he would continue off-line consultations on this issue.

GRE-88-14 | UN R48: Questions on interpretation This paper has been submitted by the expert from Australia to clarify with the GRE if/where lamps other than those defined/specified in UN Regulation No. 48, including external optical signals to indicate the operating status of a trailer system, can be fitted to vehicles in conformity with this Regulation.

28. The expert from CEMA presented amendment proposals to UN Regulation No. 86 (GRE-88-04 and GRE-88-19) that aimed to introduce:

• Wider vehicles of categories R, S and T.
• Reflective materials as an alternative to retroreflectors and side-marker lamps.
• Amber special warning devices to inform of slow vehicles on the road.
• Use of manufacturer logos.

29. Following a brief exchange of view, GRE held the view that the special warning lamps should remain in the scope of UN Regulation No. 65 only. GRE also raised doubts about the replacement of retroreflectors and side-marker lamps with reflective materials. The Chair invited CEMA to update their proposals and submit them as a working document to the next session.

GRE-88-04 | UN R86: Proposal for a draft amendment Proposal to:<ol class="alpha"><li>take into account vehicles of categories R or T with a width greater than 2,55 m and category S vehicles with a width greater than 3 m;</li><li>use reflective materials as an alternative to retro-reflectors and side-marker lamps;</li><li>use amber special warning devices to inform of slow vehicles on the road;</li><li>introduce the use of manufacturer logos.</li></ol>

GRE-88-19 | UN R86: Discussion of amendments

30. The expert from GTB introduced a concept to improve the failure provisions in the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149, including “high definition” headlamps (GRE-88-10). The experts from Germany and the United Kingdom made preliminary comments on the proposal and pointed out the need to study it further. The Chair invited GRE experts to send their inputs to GTB.

GRE-88-10 | UN R149: 01 series-Improved failure provisions, including "high definition" headlamps

31. The expert from Germany proposed to indicate in the communication form in Annex 1 of UN Regulation No. 149 if headlamps may be able to produce driver assistance projection according to UN Regulation No. 48 (GRE-88-09). GRE adopted this proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as part of draft Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149.

GRE-88-09 | UN R149: Proposal for a Supplement to the 01 series of amendments Headlamps may produce Driver Assistance Projections under UN R48 if the pertinent requirements of UN R149 are fulfilled. In order to have a clear statement whether the approval of the headlamp include this ability or not it is proposed to integrate this information in the communication form in Annex 1 of UN R149.

32. The expert from IWG EMC presented their status report and the outstanding issues (GRE-88-20). GRE took note of the current working draft the 07 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 10 (GRE-88-21) and noted that a final draft would be submitted as a working document to the next session of GRE. Furthermore, GRE agreed that a first step to address the issue of “normal conditions of use” should already be undertaken in the 07 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 10.