Proposal to clarify the definition of “Option” and “Module” as used within Global Technical Regulations.

175. AC.3 started discussion on the informal document WP.29-175-27, submitted by the representative of OICA. However, due to the numerous comments and the lack of time, AC.3 requested interested parties to submit their comments directly to the representative of OICA and to resume consideration on the basis of a new document incorporating the comments at its November 2018 session.

Proposal to clarify the definition of “Option” as used within Global Technical Regulations and to introduce the concept of “Alternative”. In principle, the proposal seeks to distinguish between protocols for the same requirement that allow divergent compliance thresholds (e.g., differing stringency) and those that provide equivalent assessment of performance through different means. “Option” would refer to the former while “Alternative” would refer to the latter. In the case of one or more options, the proposal would require Contracting Parties to work towards the elimination of the divergent performance requirements.

153. The representative of OICA introduced WP.29-173-05, “Proposal to amend Special Resolution 2” (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1124). He stated that OICA, representing the global auto industry, re-confirmed its strong support for Special Resolution 2 as an important step towards an improved functioning of the 1998 Agreement.

154. He noted that WP29-173-05 took into account comments made at the June 2017 AC.3 session. He added that his intention was to clarify the concepts of options and alternatives, based on the experience gained in the development of several existing global technical regulations. He emphasized the position of OICA that such clarification would constitute a further improvement and that it would help in the development of new or amended global technical regulations.

155. Due to the lack of time, AC.3 agreed to allocate more time to discuss it at its March 2018 session and to keep it still as an informal document.

173. Due to the lack of time, AC.3 agreed to allocate more time at its June 2018 session to discuss this issue, possibly on the basis of a revised document.

Proposal to clarify the concepts of alternatives, modules, and options.

164. The representative of OICA introduced WP.29-171-15, Proposal to amend Special Resolution 2 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/65). He stated that OICA, representing the global auto industry, re-confirmed its strong support for Special Resolution 2 being an important step towards an improved functioning of the 1998 Agreement.

165. He noted that WP29-171-15 took into account comments made at the March 2016 AC.3 session, He added that further work could clarify the concepts of alternatives, modules, and options. He emphasized the position of OICA that such clarification would constitute a further improvement and that it would help in the development of new or amended global technical regulations.

166. Due to the lack of time, AC.3 did not conclude on this item but agreed allocate more time for it and to resume its consideration at its June 2017 session. Contracting Parties were invited to prepare their contributions.

152. The representative of OICA introduced WP.29-171-15, Proposal to amend Special Resolution 2 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/65). He stated that OICA, representing the global auto industry, had re-confirmed its strong support for Special Resolution 2 as an important step towards an improved functioning of the 1998 Agreement.

153. He noted that WP.29-171-15 had taken into account comments made at the March 2016 AC.3 session. He added that further work could clarify the concepts of “alternatives”, “modules”, and “options”. He emphasized the position of OICA that such clarification would constitute a further improvement and that it would help in the development of new or amended global technical regulations.

154. The representative of the United States of America pointed out that the system of “alternatives” is not covered by the original text of S.R.2. He further mentioned that the “modules” are used for cases where only parts of the UN GTR would be subject to application by a national authority as it is the case, e.g. in the UN GTR No.16 on tyres with the safety related parts like wet-grip and the environmental related part on rolling-noise.

155. The representative of the European Union did not see the need for the proposed annex to the text of the S.R.2 and recommended to limit the text as much as possible in order not to encourage the further use of “options” in the UN GTRs.

156. AC.3 underlined the importance of the notification system underlined by item 3 © of S.R.2 and the general objective of achieving the maximum level of incorporation of the UN GTRs into domestic legislation. Furthermore, the current use of the notification system by Contracting Parties is not deemed sufficient to provide transparency to all stakeholders on the implementation of the different UN GTRs into domestic legislation.

157. The Chair proposed to keep this item on the agenda for the upcoming meeting in November 2017, possibly based on a revised version of WP.29-171-15.

175. AC.3 started discussion on the informal document WP.29-175-27, submitted by the representative of OICA. However, due to the numerous comments and the lack of time, AC.3 requested interested parties to submit their comments directly to the representative of OICA and to resume consideration on the basis of a new document incorporating the comments at its November 2018 session.

Proposal to clarify the concepts of options, modules, and alternatives in the special resolution to improve the functioning of the 1998 Agreement.

147. AC. 3 decided to defer all items envisaged for discussion under this agenda item to the next AC.3 session in March 2017.

148. The representative of OICA invited AC.3 representatives to send to OICA their comments to informal document WP.29-170-33. OICA will include the received comments, revise the informal document accordingly and submit it for the next AC.3 session.

Proposal for a Special Resolution to provide a framework within which the representatives of the World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and other interested stakeholders can work to improve the implementation of the 1998 Global Agreement.

109. A proposal for Special Resolution No. 2 (S.R.2) was submitted for consideration and vote (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/65) and adopted on 23 June 2016 by consensus vote of the following Contracting Parties present and voting: Australia, Canada, China, the European Union (representing Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom), India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Norway, the Republic of Korea, San Marino, South Africa, the Russian Federation, Turkey and the United States of America.

110. The representatives of Japan, the United States of America and the European Union, as sponsors to S.R.2, noted that S.R.2 constitutes additional efforts aimed at improving the implementation of the 1998 Agreement. A first set of follow-up actions were discussed, including increased transparency of the work, improving the website and meeting attendance opportunities, meeting management improvements and developing a revised work plan. Input and cooperation from the secretariat were noted and appreciated. It was also noted that this work could partially apply to WP.29 in general. Lastly, all Contracting Parties were asked to review the 1998 Agreement work plan and provide comments at the November 2016 meeting.

111. The representative of Japan stated their concurrence with the statements made by the representatives of the EU and the United States of America, and reiterated their support and dedication to the proposed process.

112. The Chair of AC.3 summarized the discussion highlighting the main points reflected upon by the representatives, highlighting transparency and the programme of work. He proposed to include an agenda item on the programme of work for the AC.3 session in November 2016.

113. The secretariat clarified that S.R.2 does not require implementation according to the provisions of Article 7 (adoption, and notification of application of established global technical regulations) of the Agreement. AC.3 requested the secretariat to inform Contracting Parties about the establishment of S.R.2 through the “1998 AGREEMENT-MISSIONS List” electronic system.