Archive
Dec 2007
NHTSA allows advance credits for vehicles meeting higher speed 5th percentile female crash requirements one year early.
On August 31, 2006, NHTSA published a Final Rule (71 FR 57168) increasing the maximum test speed for the belted rigid barrier test using the 5th percentile adult female dummy from 48 km/h (30 mph) to 56 km/h (35 mph), the same speed that had previously been adopted for 50th percentile adult male dummies. After considering the public's comments, the agency continued to believe that the test data obtained indicated that FMVSS No. 208 should require the same level of high speed crash protection for small stature occupants as for larger occupants.
Nov 2007
Mandatory European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval Extended to Trucks, Buses and Trailers.
Work on extending the ECWVTA scheme to non-M1 category vehicles finally reached fruition on 9th October 2007 when EC Directive 2007/46/EC was published. This new EC Directive repeals and replaces the previous EC Directive on ECWVTA, commonly known as the "Framework Directive", and introduces mandatory ECWVTA for all M, N, and O category vehicles (i.e. trucks, buses and trailers).
Oct 2007
NHTSA's Revised Side Impact Ruling will Require all Manufacturers to Equip Passenger Vehicles with Side Airbags and Side Curtains.
NHTSA has issued a revised regulatory Final Rule for FMVSS 214, Side Impact Protection. NHTSA says that this revision will require all vehicles under 10,000 pounds to meet added performance requirements that will force manufacturers to install technologies, i.e. mandatory side airbags and side curtain devices to better protect both front and rear seated occupants.
Sep 2007
EU Proposes New Legislation on Tyres and Advanced Safety Features.
The European Commission have recently published a consultation document outlining a number of proposed changes to the European legal requirements, including the introduction of a new Regulation on tyres.
Aug 2007
European Union Adopts Euro 5 / 6 Emissions Requirements.
On 29th June 2007, the European Union published EC Regulation No. 715/2007, which introduced the Euro 5 and Euro 6 emissions requirements for light duty vehicles. This new Regulation also contained three other significant amendments to the current EU emissions requirements.
Jul 2007
Europe Implements New Noise Test Procedure.
On 15th June 2007, the European Union published EC Directive 2007/34/EC, which is an amendment to 70/157/EEC to introduce the new noise test procedure from ECE 51.02 Supplement 5. This amending Directive removes all of the current technical requirements from the Directive and replaces them with direct references to ECE Regulations 51 and 59.
Jun 2007
ECE Introduces Revised OBD Requirements for Bi-fuel Vehicles.
The recently published Supplement 6 to ECE Regulation 83.05 introduces revised requirements for the on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems fitted to bi-fuel vehicles (i.e. vehicles which can operate on both petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or on both petrol and natural gas (NG)).
May 2007
NHTSA's New Accident Avoidance Reg Has High Expectations in Reducing Rollover and Single Vehicle Crashes.
On April 6, 2007, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a new regulatory Final Rule (Docket No. NHTSA-2007-27662), titled FMVSS 126; Electronic Stability Control Systems, and also corresponding revisions to FMVSS 101 Controls and Displays. FMVSS 126 will require all vehicles under 10,000 lbs. to be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) systems.
Apr 2007
China Updates Safety Belt Anchorage Standard.
China have recently updated their national standard on safety belt anchorages for motor vehicles. This updated standard, GB 14167-2006, introduces requirements that are predominantly aligned with the equivalent European Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe requirements, although there are some differences.
Mar 2007
US EPA Proposes that Heavy-Duty Engines used in Highway Applications must use On Board Diagnostic Systems (OBD).
On January 24, 2007, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a NPRM (40 CFR Part 86, OAR-2005-0047; FRL-8256-9, RIN 2060-AL92) regarding control of air pollution from new motor vehicle and new motor vehicle engines.