Towards the world-wide harmonization of technical regulations of automobiles UN/ECE/ WP29 WP29 Vehicles and vehicle parts are internationally distribu

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Towards the world-wide harmonization of technical regulations of automobiles UN/ECE/ WP29 WP29 Vehicles and vehicle parts are internationally distribu"

がんまなみこし
5 years ago
Views:

Association, Japan Auto-Parts Industries Association, Japan Automobile

1 World-wide Harmonization of Technical Regulations for Automobiles and Mutual Recognition of Certification Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Japan Auto-Parts Industries Association, Japan Automobile Importers Association Japan Automobile Standards Internationalization Center

Towards the world-wide harmonization of technical regulations of automobiles UN/ECE/ WP29 WP29 Vehicles and vehicle parts are internationally distributed these days.

2 Towards the world-wide harmonization of technical regulations of automobiles UN/ECE/ WP29 WP29 Vehicles and vehicle parts are internationally distributed these days. At the same time, there is an increasing need for a global point of view in dealing with issues like global warming, environmental pollution and safety. As a result, nations have faced the necessity for international harmonization of automotive regulations and introduction of mutual recognition systems, under which certification is mutually recognized between importing and exporting countries and regions. In 1998, Japan joined the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement for mutual recognition of approvals for automotive equipment as the first non-european country. In August, 1999, Japan accepted the 1998 Agreement concerning the establishing of Global Technical Regulations (GTR) for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts, following the U.S. and Canada. When international harmonization of automotive regulations is developed under the 1998 Global Agreement and the items subject to mutual recognition are increased, it will also reduce development and production costs, retail prices and waste of natural and human resources. In order to achieve this goal, discussions on GTR are underway at the World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP29), the former UN Economic Commission for Europe Working Party on the Construction of Vehicles (UN/ECE/WP29). 1

Why have countries and regions developed their own unique vehicle regulations? Airplanes and ships are often used for inter-continental transportation.

3 Why have countries and regions developed their own unique vehicle regulations? Airplanes and ships are often used for inter-continental transportation. Having unique regulations may hinder their services. Universal regulations have been developed to avoid such problems. Vehicles, however, are designed only for overland transportation and usually used in limited areas. Consequently, considerations for countries and regions overseas have been less important. For this reason, countries and regions developed their own regulations to deal with domestic situations. Can vehicles be exported or transported freely once GTRs are established? 1958 Even if the GTR is established, international distribution could still be hindered when each country confirms whether vehicles conform to GTR (certification). So, the agreement concerning the mutual recognition of the approval by the government is needed. Japan is a member of the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement and increases the items subject to mutual recognition. So, it is getting easier to export or transport vehicles between Japan and other member countries that have adopted the items. What is the advantage of harmonization of regulations? The advantage of international harmonization of regulations is that design specifications of vehicles do not have to be changed to meet country-specific regulations. Common specifications of vehicle parts will reduce the cost of development and production and the retail price of vehicles. It will also make approving procedures easier, make the market larger, and give the consumers a wider range of choice. Advantages of Harmonization of Regulations and Mutual Recognition of Certification Users Popularization of safer and environment-friendly automobiles. Lower vehicle prices Wider choice of imported cars Manufacturers Efficient development process and enhanced productivity Uniform component specifications Efficient process of obtaining approval by increasing the items subject to mutual recognition Efficient inventory management of parts Administration Efficient process of developing regulations Efficient process of examination by increasing the items subject to mutual recognition Smoother international distribution 2

4 The Global Technical Regulations (GTR) for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts (The 1998 Global Agreement) ECE Because of the demand for session openness and the equal right of voting focused on the non- European participation, made by Japan and some other countries, the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement was revised in However, the U.S. adopts self-certification system where manufacture confirms the conformity to the safety regulation before sale and government confirms the conformity after sale and does not accede to the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement. Nevertheless the U.S. recognizes the importance of harmonization of motor vehicle technical regulations and proposed harmonization excluding mutual recognition of certification. As a result, on June 25, 1998, the UN Agreement concerning the establishing of Global Technical Regulations (GTR) for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts was adopted. The aim of this agreement is parallel management of global regulations and the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement, so that countries can join the new agreement even if they do not accept mutual recognition system. Based on this process, the regulations that have been established under the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement are to be respected as candidate regulations of GTR. Furthermore, consensus vote by the member countries is required in order to ensure the presence of GTR as global regulations in name and reality. World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations United Nations U.N. Economic Commission for Europe World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (GRSG) (GRSP) (GRRF) (GRPE) (GRB) (GRE) 3

5 58 What is the reason that the U.S. does not accede to the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement? How has Japan contributed to the 1998 Global Agreement? There were many controversies between the U.S. and EU before the agreement was concluded. Japan started mediating them at the beginning of the controversies by attending conferences including unofficial meetings and making suggestions or alternatives. After the conclusion of the agreement, Japan soon accepted it, following the U.S. and Canada. Japan is also working upon other countries to join the agreement. How wide is the scope of GTR? The scope of GTR includes the structure of the body and the parts of vehicles concerning environmental, safety performance, and anti-theft e.g. reflectors, emission reducing systems and occupant protective devices against accidents. WP29 58 The U.S., like other countries, is working toward the international harmonization activities at WP29. For safety regulations, however, the U.S. does not take a government certification system, which makes mutual recognition difficult. Mutual recognition, as well as harmonization, is an important component of the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement. What is the advantage of the world-wide harmonization of vehicles regulations? The best advantage of the world-wide harmonization is that it gives a set of evaluation regulations to measure safety and environmental performance. This will increase competitions among manufacturers, leading to increased supply of vehicles with better performance with reduced retail prices. When GTR is established, will the specifications for vehicle become the same in the whole world? No. The range of the harmonization is limited to the structure and the performance concerning environmental effects, safety and anti-theft performance. Other regulations, like ones for comfortableness and convenience, may vary according to climate, preferences of consumers, and other situations. 4

6 The establishing process of the GTR. ECE ECE WP29 Executive Committee OICA Candidate regulations for the GTR must fulfill any of the following requirements: 1. ECE regulation based on the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement 2. Existing regulation supported by at least 1/3 of the contracting parties including either Japan, the U.S. or EU. 3. Newly proposed regulation. Based on ECE regulations, Japan has been proposing candidates for global technical regulations to the World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP29), along with an assessment of priorities. These candidate regulations will be discussed at the Executive Committee, and registered as a GTR with unanimity. The examination and development of the regulations will be pursued in collaboration with industrial organizations such as the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA). GLOBAL TECHNICAL REGULATION CANDIDATES PROPOSED BY JAPAN ECE Reg. No. R3 R6 R7 R13H R14 R16 R17 R19 R23 R25 R26 R27 R28 R26 R38 R39 R44 R45 R48 R58 R62 R81 R91 R95 Title Retro-reflectors Direction indicators Front and rear position (side) lamps, stop lamps and end-outline marker lamps Braking (Harmonized) Safety-belt anchorages Safety-belts Seats Front fog lamps Reversing lamps Head restrains External projections Warning triangles Audible warning devices External projections Rear fog lamps Speedometer Child restraint systems Headlamp cleaners Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices Rear underrun protection Protection against unauthorized use (motor cycle) Rear-view mirrors (motor cycle) Side-marker lamps Protection of the occupants in the event of a lateral collision 5

7 Procedure for Establishing Global Technical Regulations How is the 1998 Global Agreement signed? By informing the UN Secretary-General of the ratification of the Agreement after domestic decision is made. How is the GTR adopted officially? 60 The date of effect should be noticed to the UN Secretary-General within the interval of 60 days after the government ratified the Agreement. What activities did Japan do for composing the GTR? WP29 ECE At the 119th meeting of WP29, Japan proposed draft candidates for Global Technical Regulations. In the proposal, regulations expected to be established at an early stage, such as ECE regulations adopted by Japan and those currently discussed at harmonization projects, are given higher priority. Japan also proposed issues to be discussed including weight, size and vehicle category, which are different among Japan, U.S. and EU. 6

Differences between the 1958 agreement and the 1998 Global Agreement ECE GTR WP29 ECE ECE The ECE Regulations under the 1958 Agreement and the Global Technical Regulations under the 1998 Global

The UN/ECE 1958 Agreement includes mutual recognition of governmental certifications based on the ECE Regulations, while the purpose of the 1998 Global Agreement is to internationally harmonize the

8 Differences between the 1958 agreement and the 1998 Global Agreement ECE GTR WP29 ECE ECE The ECE Regulations under the 1958 Agreement and the Global Technical Regulations under the 1998 Global Agreement are both discussed at WP29. The UN/ECE 1958 Agreement includes mutual recognition of governmental certifications based on the ECE Regulations, while the purpose of the 1998 Global Agreement is to internationally harmonize the regulations and mutual recognition is excluded from the 1998 Global Agreement. By establishing the GTR, the vehicles and vehicle parts produced under the common regulations will be easily available in the international market, giving consumers a wider choice. Furthermore, the ECE Regulations are planned to be amended in accordance with the GTR. These amended regulations will lead to the realization of more effective mutual recognition and simplification of certification procedures as the items subject to mutual recognition increase. The 1958 Agreement Mutual Recognition World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations The 1998 Global Agreement Global Harmonization of Regulation World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations 7

9 Mutual recognition system is an intergovernmental agreement which simplifies certification processes and reduces time and costs for approval when vehicles are imported and exported. What is the reason that Japan joins both the 1958 Agreement and the 1998 Global Agreement? The objective of the 1958 Agreement is to promote the mutual recognition of certification. However, the U.S. does not take the governmental certification system for safety aspects and is not a member of the 1958 Agreement. Japan joined the 1998 Global Agreement, which aims to establish the global technical regulations among countries including the U.S.. What are rights and obligations as a contracting country of the 1958 Agreement and the 1998 Global Agreement? A contracting party of the 1958 Agreement has the right to vote in establishing and amending regulations. It is responsible for examining and approving domestic products manufactured according to the regulations. Once products are thus approved by one contracting party, all the other contracting parties must accept the approval. A contracting party of the Global Agreement has the right to vote in establishing and amending regulations as well as in amending the Agreement itself. ECE How do the Global Technical Regulations and the ECE regulations relate? ECE regulations are expected to be amended in accordance with GTR once it is established and the government certification system is implemented in accordance with the ECE regulations. What issues remain unsolved in promoting harmonization of technical regulations? 29 A global point of view is now needed to deal with environmental and safety problems. However, situations such as climate, culture and levels of engineering technology are different from country to country. If automotive regulations are harmonized at the most strict level, it might result in the waste of natural and human resources in some countries. Therefore, rational and effective regulations are needed and they should be practically applied to fit the situations of each country. At the same time, regulations need to be harmonized concerning the measurement of weight and size as well as vehicle category for proper application of regulations. Japan proposed WP29 to hold a meeting on these topics and was asked to take the chair. Japan is going to play an active and important role in harmonization of regulations. 8

Moves in Japan and Other Countries towards International Harmonization of Regulations and Mutual Recognition of Certification Japan is the first country that acceded both to the 1958 Agreement and

And, at the same time, Japan has been making an effort to develop the 1958 Agreement, the only existing agreement on mutual recognition, into a worldwide one.

10 Moves in Japan and Other Countries towards International Harmonization of Regulations and Mutual Recognition of Certification Japan is the first country that acceded both to the 1958 Agreement and the 1998 Global Agreement. Concerning the 1958 Agreement, Japan is planning to adopt about 30 ECE regulations by March, 2004 and propose future amendments so that more regulations can be adopted. And, at the same time, Japan has been making an effort to develop the 1958 Agreement, the only existing agreement on mutual recognition, into a worldwide one. Especially, Japan is encouraging other Asian countries to join the agreement, providing them appropriate technological support. As for the 1998 Global Agreement, Japan is planning to propose candidate regulations, which are likely to be acceptable to Japan, U.S. and EU countries. Japan will go on making every effort to further promote the international harmonization of regulations and mutual recognition of certification. Moves in Japan and Other Countries towards International Harmonization of Regulations and Mutual Recognition of Certification U.S. Japan Australia Asia-Pacific Countries 9

Signatory countries of UN/ECE 1958 Agreement and The UN/ECE 1998 Global Agreement. Areas in a red shade represent signatory countries of both the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement and the 1998 Global Agreement.

11 Signatory countries of UN/ECE 1958 Agreement and The UN/ECE 1998 Global Agreement. Areas in a red shade represent signatory countries of both the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement and the 1998 Global Agreement. The UN/ECE 1958 Agreement Countries The UN/ECE Global Agreement Countries Germany Ireland U.S. Turkey France Croatia Canada Finland Italy Netherlands Sweden Belgium Hungary Czech Republic Spain Yugoslavia U.K. Austria Luxembourg Switzerland Norway Finland Denmark Romania Poland Portugal Russian Federation Greece Slovenia Slovakia Belarus Estonia Bosnia and Herzegovina Latvia Bulgaria Turkey Macedonia EU European Union Japan Australia Ukraine Republic of South Africa New Zealand Azerbaijan Lithuania Japan European Union France U.K. Germany Italy Russian Federation Republic of South Africa Hungary Other Participant Argentina Brazil Thailand China Korea Slovakia New Zealand Netherlands Azerbaijan Romania Spain Sweden Malaysia India as of

TEL. 03-5253-8111 FAX. 03-5253-1639 E-mail SINSA-USER@mlit.go.jp 102-0083 5-7 TBR1119 TEL. 03-5216-7241 FAX. 03-5216-7244 E-mail jasic@jasic.

12 TEL FAX TBR1119 TEL FAX Vehicle and Component Approvals Division / Office of International Affairs, Engineering Planning Division, Engineering and Safety Department, Road Transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport TEL (representation) FAX SINSA-USER@so.motnet.go.jp Japan Automobile Standards Internationalization Center Syuwa Kioicho TBR bld. 1119, 5-7, Kouji-Machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan TEL FAX jasic@jasic.org Printed

- 1 -

- 1 - - 1 - - 2 - - 3 - - 4 - - 5 - - 6 - - 7 - - 8 - - 9 - - 10 - - 11 - - 12 - - 13 - - 14 - - 15 - 1 2 1-16 - 2 3 4 5 6 7-17 - 1 2 1 2 3 4-18 - 1 2 3 4 1 2-19 - 1 2 3 1 2-20 - 3 4 5 6 7 1-21 - 1 2 3 4-22