Document GRE/2016/10 proposed to refine the transitional provisions of UN R48 pursuant to possibilities for the application of the regulation within the International Whole Vehicle Type Approval system. Since IWVTA allows for approvals to earlier versions of current regulations, the possibility exists where optional installation of advanced equipment could entail mandatory compliance with the latest version of UN R48. However, UN R48 imposes broad requirements such that efforts to add certain safety equipment are hindered by concerns over compliance with a broad range of requirements under the latest version of UN R48 that raises the consumer price to prohibitive levels. Therefore, OICA supports the solution proposed by GTB (document GRE/2016/10).

Proposal to further refine the transitional provisions of UN R48. In 2014, the transitional provisions of UN R48 were changed in order to avoid having more than one series of amendments in force at the same time (via Supplement 3 to the 06 series of amendments). This change allows earlier series of amendments to be “frozen” and used under the International Whole Vehicle Type Approval system (IWVTA) as “versions” of UN R48. However, the possibility for the partial application of a series of amendments resulting from the installation of new equipment on a vehicle approved to an earlier series has been raised within the IWVTA. This proposal refines the transitional provisions in order to enable partial application of a series through an extension of the existing approval rather by requiring a new approval. At the same time, the proposal aims to ensure that the safety objectives of UN R48 are met.