Archive

Apr 2016

Proposal to Introduce the WLTP into the EU Emissions Requirements

To address concerns that the test procedure and drive cycle currently used for light duty vehicle emissions testing, known as the New European Drive Cycle or NEDC, does not reflect real world driving, the European Commission has recently published a draft new Implementing Regulation on light duty vehicle emissions to replace the NEDC with the worldwide harmonised light duty vehicle test procedure (WLTP). The WLTP has been specifically developed to represent real world driving conditions and to provide a more realistic measurement of the vehicle’s emissions and fuel consumption performance.

Mar 2016

European Commission Proposes New Regulation to Replace 2007/46/EC

On 27th January, 2016, the European Commission published a draft new EU Regulation on the type approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, which is intended to repeal and replace EC Directive 2007/46/EC (also known as the Framework Directive). Although this new Regulation does not introduce any significant changes to the technical requirements, it does introduce some major changes to the operation and application of the type approval system itself, with many of the changes aimed at addressing deficiencies in the current type approval system that were highlighted by the "VW emissions scandal".

Feb 2016

NHTSA Requests Comments on Proposals for Revising the New Car Assessment Program

The National Highway Transportation Association (NHTSA) considers the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) a success as indicated by the continued growth in consumer interest in NCAP safety ratings when purchasing vehicles, the improved NCAP test scores and the added vehicle safety features. NHTSA believes that it is time for an update to the NCAP procedures and rating system to keep abreast of new occupant protection systems and the advanced technology in accident avoidance features. NHTSA is seeking comments on their proposed actions.

Jan 2016

New ECE Regulation on Frontal Impact Adopted

At the 167th session of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) in November 2015, a new UN ECE Regulation on frontal impact was adopted. This new Regulation, which has been allocated the number ECE 137, focuses on restraint system performance and requires M1 category vehicles to be subjected to a 50 km/h frontal impact into a full width rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male Hybrid III dummy in the driver's seating position and a 5th percentile female Hybrid III dummy in the front outboard passenger seating position.

Dec 2015

ECE Regulation on Glazing Updated to Permit Plastic Windscreens

On 9th November, 2015, Supplement 4 to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation on glazing, ECE 43.01, was published. This Supplement introduces new requirements covering rigid plastic windscreens, laminated rigid plastic windscreens and other laminated rigid plastic panes, thereby allowing the type approval of plastic windscreens for the first time.

Nov 2015

Amendments to the EU General Safety Regulation Proposed to Update the List of UN ECE Regulations that Apply on a Compulsory Basis

At a Technical Committee - Motor Vehicles (TCMV) meeting held on 6th October, 2015, the European Commission submitted a proposal to amend the General Safety Regulation, (EC) No. 661/2009, to update the list of UN ECE Regulations that apply on a compulsory basis to include their latest published amendment levels and to update the list of type approvals to repealed EC Directives that remain valid for type approval purposes.

Oct 2015

Proposal to add Particulate Matter Measurement into the EU Heavy Duty In-Service Emissions Testing Requirements

At a Technical Committee - Motor Vehicles (TCMV) meeting held on 10th September, 2015, the European Commission submitted a proposal to amend the implementing Regulation on heavy duty emissions, (EU) No. 582/2011, to expand the requirements on portable emissions measuring systems (PEMS) testing. Currently, only gaseous emissions (i.e. carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx)) are measured during PEMS testing, but the European Commission are now proposing to also measure the mass of particulate matter (PM) emissions during PEMS testing.

Sep 2015

New ECE Regulation on Electric Vehicles of Category L Adopted

To compliment ECE 100.02, which covers safety requirements for vehicles of categories M and N equipped with an electric powertrain, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) have now developed an equivalent Regulation covering L category vehicles, i.e. motorcycles, motor tricycles and quadricycles. This new Regulation, which has been allocated the number ECE 136, was formally adopted by the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) at their 166th session in June 2015.

Aug 2015

ECE Regulation on the Prevention of Fire Risks Updated to Mandate Rear Impact Testing

The 03 series of amendments to UN ECE Regulation No. 34 on the prevention of fire risks were published on 22nd June 2015. This new series of amendments requires all M1 and N1 category vehicles with a maximum mass not exceeding 2,800 kg to be subjected to a rear impact test at 48 - 52 km/h and to comply with specific maximum fuel leakage rates during and after the impact test.

Jul 2015

The NHTSA Issues Final Rule to Add New Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 136 Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles

On June 23, 2015 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a Final Rule in the Federal Register that establishes a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 136, Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles. It is intended to reduce rollover and loss of directional control of truck tractors and large buses. It requires the affected vehicles to be equipped with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system that meets the equipment and performance criteria of the new standard. Based on the data analysis research, NHTSA has determined that ESC systems can be 40 to 56 percent effective in reducing first-event untripped rollovers and 14 percent effective in eliminating loss-of-control crashes caused by severe oversteer or understeer conditions. The effective date of this rule is August 24, 2015 (implementation date depends on vehicle configuration) and petitions for reconsideration of this Final Rule must be received not later than August 7, 2015.