UN Regulations Nos. 58 and 73 contain exemptions which can be applied by an approval authority and we are concerned that a vehicle which is correctly approved using such an exemption cannot then be required to have an RUPD or sideguards. The UK seeks the views of GRSG on how the wording of the exemptions may be improved to ensure that as many vehicles as possible are fitted with RUPD and sideguards.

Proposal to delete the exclusion of “vehicles designed and constructed for special purposes where it is not possible, for practical reasons, to fit lateral protection devices” from the text. The UK submits that paragraphs 13 and 16 provide specific provisions that address this situation whereas the exclusion clause allows for a broader interpretation that unnecessarily limits the use of lateral protection devices.