Archive
Sep 2016
ECE Regulation on Rear Vision Updated to Permit Camera Based Systems
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation on indirect vision requirements, ECE 46.04, has recently been amended to allow the fitment of camera based vision systems in place of the mandatory rear view mirrors. These amended requirements were published as Supplement 2 to ECE 46.04 and have an entry into force date of 18th June, 2016, which means that camera vision system manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers can obtain type approval for camera based vision systems and their installation with immediate effect.
Aug 2016
Draft EU Regulation on Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) Published
Acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) are sound generating systems fitted to pure electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Their purpose is to generate sound when the vehicle is operating at low speed to alert pedestrians and other vulnerable road users of the vehicle's presence in urban situations, and a new ECE Regulation covering such systems was recently adopted by the World Forum for the Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29). Following the adoption of this new UN ECE Regulation (ECE 138), the European Commission have drafted an amendment to the EU Regulation on sound levels, (EU) No. 540/2014, to align the EU requirements on AVAS with those specified in ECE 138.
Jul 2016
NHTSA Issues Final Rule to Standardize Lighting and Marking Requirements for Agricultural Equipment in US
The National Highway Transportation Association (NHTSA) has issued a rare Final Rule regarding agricultural equipment. NHTSA has not regulated the manufacture of most agricultural equipment in the past because it did not have specific authority to do so. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) contains a non-discretionary mandate concerning daytime and nighttime visibility of agricultural equipment that may be operated on public roads. As a result, NHTSA has issued a new regulation, 49 CFR Part 562 Lighting and Marking on Agricultural Equipment effective June 22, 2016 with a compliance date of June 22, 2017.
Jun 2016
European Union Proposal on Heavy Duty Vehicle CO2 Emissions Published
At a Technical Committee - Motor Vehicles (TCMV) meeting on 12th May 2016, the European Commission presented a first draft of an EU Implementing Regulation to introduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions requirements for heavy duty vehicles into EU legislation. The new requirements introduced in this draft Implementing Regulation relate to the use of the Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (VECTO) to calculate the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of heavy duty vehicles based on input data measured from the components and systems that make up the completed vehicle.
May 2016
New European Union Requirements on Real Driving Emissions Published
The new EU requirements on real driving emissions (RDE), which introduce a new "on road" emissions test using a portable emissions measuring system (PEMS), have now been published. These new RDE requirements have been specifically developed to address the difference between the exhaust emissions measured in the test laboratory during type approval and the exhaust emissions generated in real driving conditions, especially the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicles equipped with diesel engines.
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.