GTB white paper on priorities and objectives for the simplification of lighting regulations, especially regarding reduction of the current burdens associated with the necessity of collective amendments in the development of these regulations and the longer-term difficulties to be overcome in restructuring these regulations and their legal framework.

GTB discussion paper to focus attention on defining the problem(s) to be resolved through a the simplification of UN lighting regulations.

GTB analysis of “collective amendments” to lighting regulations received by the Working Party on Lighting and Light-signalling Equipment (GRE) where a single change impacts multiple lighting regulations resulting in the proliferation of amendment proposals.

Discussion paper on the possibility to group lighting regulations under one of three new regulations as follows:

1. Light Signaling Devices incorporating Regulations 4, 6, 7, 23, 38, 50, 77, 87, and 91
2. Forward Lighting Devices incorporating Regulations 19, 98, 112, 123, and 119
3. Retro-Reflective Devices incorporating Regulations 3, 27, 69, 70, and 104

Regulation mock-up to show how a set of related UN lighting regulations currently in use could be consolidated within a single regulation as part of the overall simplification of lighting regulations.

Review of the options considered for the simplification of lighting regulations that culminated in the decision to consolidate the device regulations under three new regulations covering Front Lighting, Light Signalling, and Retro-reflective Devices.

Updated paper on the grouping of lighting regulations under one of three new regulations as follows:
Light Signaling Devices incorporating Regulations 4, 6, 7, 23, 38, 50, 77, 87, and 91
Forward Lighting Devices incorporating Regulations 19, 98, 112, [ 113 ], 119, and 123
Retro-Reflective Devices incorporating Regulations 3, 27, 69, 70, and 104

Compressed file package with three documents outlining the structure for the new simplified lighting regime and for the new regulations on light signaling and road illuminating devices.

GTB understanding of the application of the Unique Identifier (UI) and the UN secure Internet database in accordance with Schedule 5 of the 1958 Agreement.

Email from the DETA secretary providing an update on the status of the DETA project and its eventual application to lighting products under the Simplification of Lighting Regulations.

Presentation addressing the “opportunity of a lifetime”, including

• Chinese plans for simplification of GB Standards,
• Synchronisation of the UN and Chinese Regulations and Standards,
• Longer-term vision for global harmonisation, and
• Removal of barriers to innovation and the administrative burden.

The regulation of lighting includes individual regulations for specific lighting devices (headlamps, direction indicators, etc.), for light source (filament, gas, LED), and for installation (UN R48). The proposed UN R0 on the type approval of whole vehicles requires submission of approval certificates for components and systems to be included within the whole vehicle approval. Vehicle manufacturers work directly with UN R48 approvals, but lamp and device approvals are generally handled by lighting suppliers. UN R48 includes provisions for listing approvals of lighting units, but not for approvals of light sources (presently UN R37, R99, and R128). In order to avoid excessive administrative burdens, GTB proposes that the regulations covering light units include provisions to confirm their approval under the applicable light source regulations such that UN R48 approvals would represent approval of the vehicle lighting systems under both device regulations and light-source regulations.

Table of regulations and pending proposals that would in whole or in part be consolidated into the new UN Regulation on light-signalling devices.

Presentation of opportunities, including potential to develop harmonized global technical regulation(s), in the simplification of lighting regulations.

Draft proposal for definitions of “assembly”, “function”, and “headlamp” for application across the new UN lighting device regulations.

Notes from the 18 October discussion on approval markings and the DETA Unique Identifier database number between the DETA informal group and the SLR informal group.

Preparation of a detailed proposal concerning Conventional Type Approval Markings and the Application of the Unique Identifier (UI) for decision at the SLR 21st Session.

List of lighting functions covered by UN Regulations and the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and comments on degree of similarity.

Comments in response to document SLR-28-03.

The document addresses simplification of the definition of “apparent surface” and single lamp distance requirements in UN R48. It presents a new CAD-based concept defining apparent surface using light emitting surface with clear outer lens disregarded. The document notes that current regulation allows multiple ways to define apparent surface resulting in different distances, with existing approvals having distances significantly larger than 75mm between distinct parts without known safety issues. GTB agrees on simplifying the apparent surface definition to describe function contours as seen by road users, while acknowledging this should not restrict possible designs. The document references a 1999 INF Milano study concluding symmetric appearance is relevant for vehicle identification and larger distances are acceptable for symmetric compared to asymmetric constellations.