Archive
Apr 2011
Europe Introduces Harmonised Individual Vehicle Approval Requirements
After much negotiation, harmonised technical and administrative requirements for the "European" Individual Vehicle Approval of M1 and N1 category vehicles "produced in large series in or for third countries" were agreed and an amendment to the European type approval framework Directive 2007/46/EC to incorporate these new requirements was published on 26th February 2011. The new harmonised requirements are contained in Commission Regulation (EU) No. 183/2012 and enter into force on 26th February 2012.
Mar 2011
ECE Clarifies Conspicuity Marking Installation Requirements
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) has recently published a Supplement 5 to ECE Regulation No. 48.03 to clarify and more accurately define the installation requirements for conspicuity markings on heavy trucks and their trailers.
Feb 2011
USA Issues FMVSS 226 to Help Reduce Occupant Ejection During Crashes and Rollover Events
On January 19, 2011, the USA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a Final Rule establishing FMVSS 226 - Ejection Mitigation to reduce partial and complete occupant ejection. This new regulation applies to the side windows next to the first three rows of seats, and to a portion of the cargo area behind the first or second rows.
Jan 2011
USA Issues Proposal to Expand Rear Visibility Requirements
USA DOT issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that modifies FMVSS 111 Rearview Mirrors, FMVSS 500 Low-Speed Vehicles and Part 585 Phase-in Reporting Requirements to expand the current rear visibility requirements for passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and low-speed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less.
Dec 2010
ECE Requirements on Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems Published
After many months of discussion and negotiation, the new United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) requirements on tyre pressure monitoring systems were finally published on 10th November 2010. These new requirements have been published as an 02 series of amendments to ECE Regulation No. 64, which now covers temporary use spare wheels and tyres, run flat tyres and tyre pressure monitoring systems.
Nov 2010
Australia Updates Fuel Consumption Labelling Requirements to Cover Electric Vehicles
In September 2010, the Australian Government published an amendment to Australian Design Rule (ADR) 81/02 on the fuel consumption labelling of light vehicles to introduce new provisions for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
Oct 2010
Proposed Amendments to the Vehicle Type Definitions for ECWVTA
Over the past year, the European Commission have been developing a draft Regulation amending the definitions of vehicle categories, vehicle types and kinds of bodywork contained within the European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) Directive 2007/46/EC. Although the amendments contained in this draft Regulation may appear at first glance to be mainly administrative in nature, the effects of these changes are likely to have significant implications for virtually all users of the European type approval scheme.
Sep 2010
Canada Revises TSD 114, 216 and 301 to Reflect Revised FMVSS 114, 216 and 301
On July 24, 2010 the Canadian Department of Transportation published in the Canada Gazette Part I (Vol. 144, No. 30): Revision 1 of Technical Standards Documents (TSD) No. 114, Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention, which specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles. Revision 1 of TSD No. 216, Roof Crush Resistance, which establishes strength requirements for the passenger compartment roof. Revision 2 of TSD No. 301, Fuel System Integrity, which specifies requirements for the integrity of motor vehicle fuel systems.
Aug 2010
Canada Revises Child Seat Regulations To Allow For Heavier Weight Children
On April 29, 2010 the Canadian Department of Transportation published in the Canada Gazette a Part II Regulation (SOR/2010-90) which revises CMVSS 213, Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Safety Regulations, to more closely align the Canadian child restraint and booster seat requirements with those of the United States contained in the USA FMVSS 213, including allowing child restraints for heavier children, the introduction of more advanced test dummies and additional harmonized testing performance criteria.
Jul 2010
USA DOT Issues Final Rule that Modifies FMVSS 305 - Electric Powered Vehicles.
On June 14, 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a Final Rule to amend FMVSS 305. This has been issued to facilitate the development and introduction of fuel cell vehicles, a type of electric-powered vehicle, and the next generation of hybrid and battery electric powered vehicles.