Proposal to permit the use of a software identification system that differs from the RxSWIN established under UN R156 on software updates. (This proposal corresponds with a proposal to amend UN R156).

Proposal to clarify requirements applicable to alternatives software identifications systems differing from the Regulation No. X Software Identification Number (RxSWIN) defined in the Regulation.

24. The experts from France and Germany introduced a revised proposal for amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 48 and 148 that regulates the use of manufacturer logos inside the illuminant surface of a lamp (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/5 and GRE-83-50). The experts from the Russian Federation and OICA commented on the proposal (GRE-83-36 and GRE-83-46). Taking into account concerns expressed by the experts from EC and the Russian Federation, GRE invited the authors to liaise with those experts and to prepare an updated text for the next session. In the interim, GRE reiterated its request to type approval authorities to refrain from granting type approvals to lamps with such logos.

UN R39 allows for odometer units in miles. This proposal would clarify requirements for systems that can switch the odometer units between kilometers and miles to ensure that only one unit of measurement for total distance is used at a time.

80. The expert from France introduced the proposal for an amendment to UN Regulation No. 39 (GRSP-119-12) on speedometer and odometer. GRSG considered the proposal and recommended its further development based on discussions among experts, requesting the secretariat to submit a revised version of the proposal as an official document for consideration at the April 2021 session of GRSG.

12. GRVA agreed to postpone the review of GRVA-07-38, a presentation on virtual testing prepared by the expert from France, at its next session.

17. The expert from Germany presented GRVA-07-63, introducing ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/32 with a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] (ALKS), aimed at increasing the maximum speed (from 60 km/h to 130 km/h) for ALKS. She also introduced a second proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/33) aimed at introducing provisions for ALKS performing lane changes. The experts from Austria, China, Denmark, European Commission, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic or Korea, Sweden and UK were rather supportive. They provided ideas and technical comments to improve the proposals. The expert from Switzerland opposed to the proposed speed increase (up to 130 km/h), stating that it would be counterproductive and as Switzerland was reviewing traffic rules based on the adopted 60 km/h. The experts from Japan, Canada and USA did not support the proposals and referred to FDAV as the reference document guiding the work of GRVA on automation. The expert from SAFE stated the need for a clear roadmap, mentioned the challenges for the Technical Services and the Approval Authorities with regards to Level 3 technologies and supported the comments from the European Commission regarding the need for a Regulation addressing Automation on motorways.

18. It was recalled that the expert from UK was working on a proposal for provisions for lane change during the minimum risk manoeuvre.

19. The expert from OICA presented GRVA-07-26, introducing a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] (GRVA-07-31), aimed at extending the scope of the Regulation to heavy vehicles. They recalled that these vehicle categories were already in the scope of the activities of the former IWG on Automatically Commanded Steering Function (ACSF), which drafted UN Regulation No. [157].

20. GRVA noted that its work priorities on automation were defined by WP.29 in the FDAV. GRVA also noted that a number of Contracting Parties were willing to work on amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] and therefore decided to consult the Administrative Committee for the coordination of work (AC.2).

21. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRVA-07-07, highlighting some inconsistencies between the different parts of UN Regulation No. [157]. He mentioned discrepancies on the use of the term “system”. He questioned the need for Appendix 3 to Annex 4. He then introduced amendment proposal GRVA-07-06 on behalf of the European Commission and the Russian Federation. The expert from OICA responded to the proposal (GRVA-07-59). He also briefly introduced GRVA-07-30, proposing editorial changes to the Regulation and GRVA-07-21 with substantial amendments to the Regulations.

22. The Chair mentioned other informal documents (GRVA-07-27, GRVA-07-45, GRVA-07-56, GRVA-07-62 and GRVA-07-66), proposing amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] and invited the stakeholders to prepare a consolidated document with amendment proposals that could generate consensus at GRVA. Interested parties developed GRVA-07-69-Rev.1.

23. GRVA adopted the amendment proposals marked in green and yellow in GRVA-07-69-Rev.1 (see Annex III of the session report). GRVA requested the secretariat to correct the abbreviations, as appropriate, and to submit it without the text in read as supplement to UN Regulation No. [157], for consideration and vote by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) its Administrative Committee for the 1958 Agreement (AC.1) at their March 2021 sessions.

24. Following the interpretation request by the expert from France (GRVA-07-39), GRVA agreed that ALKS should in principle detect “approaching emergency vehicles” as per traffic rules, noting that a definition of approaching emergency vehicles as well as other clarifications should be developed as soon as possible.

Under the initial ALKS regulation and its reference to the new cyber security requlation, manufacturers are permitted to use an alternative software identification system instead of the proposed RxSWIN format. This proposal seeks to clarify the use of such alternative identifications in the approval process.

35. The expert from France introduced GRVA-07-37, aimed to clarify the requirements for manufacturers using an alternative software numbering system differing from the Regulation No. x Software Identification Number (RxSWIN) one. GRVA welcomed the proposal.

36. GRVA agreed to resume discussion on GRVA-07-37 on the basis of a revised document, distributed with an official symbol at its February 2021 session.

11. The expert from France proposed a new definition of “radial tyre” (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2020/21 and GRBP-72-22), which was amended by the expert from EC (GRBP-72-24). The expert from Japan held the view that the proposal was not sufficiently clear. The expert of ETRTO pointed out that his organization would need technical justification to support the proposal. The Chair invited all experts concerned to internally re-discuss the proposal and to submit an updated document to the next session.

Accidentology study & efficiency calculation for solutions evaluation to decrease fatal injuries in bus and coach evacuation after accident

Proposal to extend specifications for defrosting/demisting conductors outside zone A where applicable.

57. The expert from France presented the proposal for Supplement 3 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 125 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/32), containing proposed amendments to UN Regulation No. 125 concerning specifications for defrosting/demisting conductors also outside zone A.

58. GRSG adopted document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2020/32, and agreed to submit it for consideration and vote at the March 2021 session of WP.29/AC.1.

Proposal to amend the transitional provisions: Extensions can be granted to CRS of group 2/3 and group 2 until 1 September 2023 according to paragraph 17.19. However, according to paragraph 17.21, no extensions shall be granted to CRS other than Group 3. In order to align these paragraphs and avoid misinterpretation, the document proposes that the date in paragraph 17.21 should be amended to 1 September 2023.

30. The expert from Poland requested deferral of discussion on the belt-guide, that was type approved by the authority of her country, to the December 2020 session of GRSP due to the research test results on the belt-guide, which had not yet been made available by the expert of EC. The experts from the Netherlands and ANEC/CI argued that discussion was needed on this subject since they considered this type of CRS as dangerous. The expert from the Netherlands introduced GRSP-67-05 explaining that the belt-guide was not in the scope of the UN Regulation and could not be type approved; as such, the type approval should be withdrawn. Finally, with reference to the procedure of the 1958 Agreement, Revision 3, Articles 4.2., 10.4 and Schedule 6 (paragraphs 2 and 3), he stated that through GRSP-67-05 he sought support from other contracting parties and cooperation from the expert of Poland to avoid starting the arbitration process – according to Schedule 6 of the 1958 Agreement. The expert from ANEC/CI, introduced GRSP-67-10 and GRSP-67-36 showing the high risk of abdominal injuries in both cases due to severe submarining. In anticipation of the above-mentioned test results, the expert from Poland introduced GRSP-67-32, showing some results of tests demonstrating the performance of this belt-guide type under laboratory conditions. She also clarified that the belt-guide was type approved according to Supplement 10 to the 04 series of amendments. However, she added that according to some stakeholder opinions, this belt-guide type should had been tested according to Supplement 11, thus making the device subject to different criteria. However, she stated that in her opinion there was a clear legal basis which demonstrated that the type approval granted under Supplement 10 was the correct one. The expert of the Netherlands responded by stating that, apart from the fact that this device does not comply with several requirements of UN Regulation No. 44, a supplement only clarifies existing requirements or test procedures and does not introduce new requirements. Even when Supplement 10 was in force, it was evident that a belt guide could not be approved as a child restraint.

31. The expert from EC recalled to GRSP, that the group had agreed to his former proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2019/28) to amend the scope of UN Regulation No 44 (Child Restraint Systems) with clarification that a belt-guide cannot be approved under Regulation 44 without being part of a child restraint system (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/66, paragraphs 27 and 28). However, he explained that EC had reconsidered the document submission to WP.29, since the interpretation that a “guide strap” and similar devices cannot be separately approved as a child restraint system, had already been endorsed by WP.29 at its March 2012 session (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1095, paragraph 35). Therefore, he introduced GRSP-67-31, that was only on the phase out of UN Regulation No. 44.

32. The Chair of GRSP referred to Schedule 6 of the 1958 Agreement, and stressed full consideration of the different opinions of the Type Approval Authorities of the concerned contracting parties, and of contracting parties applying UN Regulation No. 44. Therefore, the experts from France, Germany, Italy, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom explicitly endorsed the request of the expert from the Netherlands to withdraw the type approval granted by Poland on the belt-guide, while none of the other present delegates indicated abstention or disagreement. The experts also noted that the Chair encouraged the expert of the Netherlands to continue discussions with the Type Approval Authority of Poland to seek cooperation with Poland in the aim to avoid the arbitration process according to Schedule 6 of the 1958 Agreement, which would start in the November 2020 session of WP.29.

33. GRSP also considered GRSP-67-14, tabled by the expert from France to correct a date in transitional provisions. Finally, GRSP adopted GRSP-67-14 and GRSP-67-31, as reproduced in Annex V to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the two proposals as draft Supplement 18 to the 04 series of amendment to UN Regulation No. 44, for consideration and vote at the November 2020 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

47. The expert from France presented document GRSG-118-17, containing proposed amendments to UN Regulation No. 125 concerning specifications for defrosting/demisting conductors also outside zone A.

48. GRSG considered GRSG-118-17 and requested its submission as an official document for consideration at the October 2020 session of GRSG.

Revised safety considerations for activities other than driving undertaken by the driver in a vehicle when its automated driving system is engaged.

Proposal to clarify the provisions in Annex 3, para. 1.5.3.1. in the case where the batteries have been recharged or replaced with a charged set between the hot performance and recovery procedure such that the linings temperature is no longer at the requisite temperature.

64. The expert from France introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/20, aimed at clarifying the provisions in Annex 3, para. 1.5.3.1., in case the batteries have been recharged or replaced with a charged set, between the hot performance and recovery procedure, when the linings temperature is no longer at the temperature. GRVA adopted it and requested the secretariat to submit it as supplement to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 13-H for consideration and vote by WP.29 and AC.1 at their March 2021 sessions.

Proposal to expand and improve the current definition of a radial structure while ensuring the radial tyres key features (mechanical decoupling between the tread and the bead).

11. The expert from France proposed a new definition of “radial tyre” (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2020/21 and GRBP-72-22), which was amended by the expert from EC (GRBP-72-24). The expert from Japan held the view that the proposal was not sufficiently clear. The expert of ETRTO pointed out that his organization would need technical justification to support the proposal. The Chair invited all experts concerned to internally re-discuss the proposal and to submit an updated document to the next session.

Proposal to address electronic breaking devices for emergency windows and escape hatches and emergency control.

Proposal to allow for virtual testing of AEBS.