Proposal to clarify the requirements for the location of ISOFIX systems in case the vehicle type is equipped with rearward facing seats.

Proposal to align UN R58 with EU Regulation 1230/2012 with regard to access ramps.

35. The expert from the Netherlands presented a proposal for an amendment of Part II and III of a type of rear underrun protective device (RUPD) pursuant to UN Regulation No. 58 (GRSG-119-15), addressing platform lift systems and access ramps in M, N1, N2 category vehicles.

36. GRSG decided to continue consideration of document GRSG-119-15 at the April 2021 meeting of the group, based on a revised version pending further consultations on its content.

Proposal to adapt to technological progress and align UN R110 with ISO 15500 and NGV 3.1.

44. The expert from the Netherlands introduced document GRSG-119-16, containing a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. 110, proposing the introduction of requirements related to the state-of-the-art test requirements and harmonization with ISO 15500 and NGV 3.1 components used in LNG/CNG systems.

45. GRSG considered document GRSG-119-16 and requested its submission as an official document for consideration at the April 2021 session of GRSG.

Proposal to align UN R134 with UN R67 and UN R110 with regard to labelling requirements and to assist emergency services in determining appropriate responses in case of fire.

Proposal to update the draft 01 series proposal (GRSP/2020/10) to include recommendations with regard to place and dimensions of the labels on vehicles.

24. GRSP resumed consideration on a proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2020/10 and amendment GRSP-67-12) tabled by the expert from the Netherlands aimed at identifying hydrogen-fuelled buses which would be consistent with already existing regulated identification for Liquid Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas and Liquid Natural Gas fuelled buses. The expert from OICA introduced GRSP-67-29 amending, among others, the proposed transitional provisions. GRSP agreed to resume discussion of this subject at its December 2020 session based on a revised proposal tabled by the expert from the Netherlands in cooperation with the expert from OICA.

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.

VMAD co-chairs’ orientation presentation for the 7th session teleconference.