Update on US Department of Energy research and development activities

Reformatted version of the CSA comments in document GTR13-01-10.

Comparison of GTR 13 draft (GTR13-01-15) and UN R134.

Comments from CSA Group on the current hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle safety regulation.

Proposal to require checking of non-integral child restraints (e.g., booster seats) for risk of injuries caused by narrow contact with buckle and safety-belt such as may be caused by strong local pressure from twisted buckles, belts, or tongues.

Proposal to amend the transitional provisions in order to explicitly confirm that approvals granted under the preceding series of amendments and the establishment of the new guidelines on UN Regulation procedures (documents WP.29/2017/107 including Corrigendum 1 and Addendum 1) will continue to be accepted. This amendment thus confirms the understanding that the new procedures apply only to new approvals and do not affect previous approvals.

Alternative proposal to GRSP/2017/27 submitted by the EC to clarify and improve airbag warning label requirements and to group these provisions under UN R16 in order to avoid the need to update multiple regulations in case of changes. OICA would not, however, add provisions concerning language variations (these are handled at the point of sale).

Proposal to require seat belt components such as retractors to remain functional if damaged during the load-retention test according to Annex 9 of UN R17. Such components have occasionally been damaged during testing such that their functionality has been impaired. In order to ensure adequate occupant safety, this proposal would require all safety-belt components to be included in the test installation and require post-test inspection to confirm the continued functionality.

Proposal to introduce installation specifications for securing a cab mounted on a vehicle to the test rig for tests B and C, as is currently provided for test A, under UN R29. This proposal aims to improve repeatability and reproducibility while allowing more flexibility in permitting the use of rigid composite blocks and/or (adjustable) metal brackets in securing the vehicle in the place of the wooden block presently prescribed in Figure 1.

Proposal to amend the transitional provisions in order to explicitly confirm that approvals granted prior to the respective supplements to the 01 and 02 series of amendments and the establishment of the new guidelines on UN Regulation procedures (documents WP.29/2017/107 including Corrigendum 1 and Addendum 1) will continue to be accepted. This amendment confirms the understanding that the new procedures apply only to new approvals and do not affect previous approvals.

Proposal from the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Global Technical Regulation No. 9 Phase 2 (GTR9-PH2) to introduce the Flex PLI lower legform impactor and related test procedures into the GTR on pedestrian safety protection, including new bumper test area specifications.

Appendix to the proposal for Amendment 2 to GTR 9 providing the rationale, justifications, and other supplemental information concerning the development of the amendment to introduce the Flex PLI lower legform impactor and related test procedures, including new bumper test area specifications.

Proposal to add provisions for the definition and requirements for lower tether strap and the definition and specifications of Lower Tether Anchorages (LTA).

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to require that the shoulder strap positioner, if any, and the buckle open independently of each other in order to satisfy the requirement that the buckle can be opened by a single action. Currently, if the shoulder strap positioner has not been opened, it is possible that the buckle cannot be opened.

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to require that the shoulder strap positioner, if any, and the buckle open independently of each other in order to satisfy the requirement that the buckle can be opened by a single action. Currently, if the shoulder strap positioner has not been opened, it is possible that the buckle cannot be opened.

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to require that the shoulder strap positioner, if any, and the buckle open independently of each other in order to satisfy the requirement that the buckle can be opened by a single action. Currently, if the shoulder strap positioner has not been opened, it is possible that the buckle cannot be opened.

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to require that the shoulder strap positioner, if any, and the buckle open independently of each other in order to satisfy the requirement that the buckle can be opened by a single action. Currently, if the shoulder strap positioner has not been opened, it is possible that the buckle cannot be opened.

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to restrict iSize booster seats (Non-integral Enhanced Child Restraint Systems) to occupants with a maximum stature of 135 cm in order to satisfy the plug and play principle. Presently, UN R129 would allow for approval of such CRS for children up to 150 cm.

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to restrict iSize booster seats (Non-integral Enhanced Child Restraint Systems) to occupants with a maximum stature of 135 cm in order to satisfy the plug and play principle. Presently, UN R129 would allow for approval of such CRS for chiildren up to 150 cm.

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to allow the head of the dummy to pass the DE plane provided there is a structure (e.g., head pad or backrest) that provides adequate protection for the head. Under UN R129, the combination of a stiffer test bench foam and the design of the test dummy can mean that when testing forward-facing child restraints (including boosters), the dummy’s head often passes the DE plane. The Q-series dummies are not proven to be biofidelic during the rebound phase of the impact test. In such cases, the head pad or backrest provides protection to the child’s head and the energy-absorption properties of this structure will have been tested using the test method described in UN Regulation No. 129.

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to allow the head of the dummy to pass the DE plane provided there is a structure (e.g., head pad or backrest) that provides adequate protection for the head. Under UN R129, the combination of a stiffer test bench foam and the design of the test dummy can mean that when testing forward-facing child restraints (including boosters), the dummy’s head often passes the DE plane. The Q-series dummies are not proven to be biofidelic during the rebound phase of the impact test. In such cases, the head pad or backrest provides protection to the child’s head and the energy-absorption properties of this structure will have been tested using the test method described in UN Regulation No. 129.

Proposal from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN R129 to allow the head of the dummy to pass the DE plane provided there is a structure (e.g., head pad or backrest) that provides adequate protection for the head. Under UN R129, the combination of a stiffer test bench foam and the design of the test dummy can mean that when testing forward-facing child restraints (including boosters), the dummy’s head often passes the DE plane. The Q-series dummies are not proven to be biofidelic during the rebound phase of the impact test. In such cases, the head pad or backrest provides protection to the child’s head and the energy-absorption properties of this structure will have been tested using the test method described in UN Regulation No. 129.