The Government of Ecuador is facing substantial opposition to its proposed use of UN Regulations, Global Technical Regulations, and type-approval process to improve vehicle safety in its domestic market, including from automakers. Ecuador, therefore, is seeking written expressions of support for the use of these international standards from participants in WP.29, including OICA.

75. The secretariat introduced the letter from the Government of Ecuador requesting written support from WP.29 and vehicle manufacturers on the application of UN Regulations and UN GTRs listed in Ecuador’s future national legislation (WP.29-163-03).

76. The World Forum supported this action towards vehicle safety. WP.29 noted the great effort of Ecuador to introduce the UN Regulations and UN GTRs in its vehicle legislation. WP.29 encouraged Ecuador to continue these efforts as a first step to the important objective of acceding to the 1958 and 1998 Agreements. The representative of FIA Foundation and Global New Car Assessment Programme (GlobalNCAP) recalled the efforts of GlobalNCAP and of the WP.29 secretariat to foster the accession of Latin American countries to the 1958 and 1998 Agreements to reduce road casualties. He underlined the relevant expectations from stakeholders concerning this accession and expressed his encouragement to not miss this opportunity. The representative of EU recalled the participation of his organization in these efforts which also aim at minimizing trade issues and supported the above-mentioned statements. The representative of Germany suggested inviting a delegation from Ecuador to the November 2014 session of WP.29 to participate to bilateral meetings with concerned Contracting Parties, stakeholders and type approval authorities. He explained that the meetings would provide the opportunity to share information and solve remaining issues. This invitation could also be extended to other interested parties.