Archive
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.
Feb 2007
NHTSA Adds Two New Side Impact Test Dummies to their Part 572 Inventory of Crash Test Devices.
On December 14, 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published two Final Rules in the Federal Register for 49 CFR, Part 572, "Anthropomorphic Test Devices" - these two final rules amend the agency's Part 572 Regulations on anthropomorphic test devices.
Jan 2007
Environment Canada says Motorcycles will now Have to Meet More Rigid Emission Requirements as Required by the USA EPA.
On November 15, 2006 Environment Canada published an amendment to the the On-Road Vehicle Emission Regulations governing exhaust emissions for motorcycles and essentially makes them identical to the USA EPA emission regulations for motorcycles. These new regulations take effect on December 1, 2006.
Dec 2006
ECE Mandates Conspicuity Marking for Heavy Vehicles.
With the publication of the 03 series of amendments to ECE Regulation 48 on the installation of lighting and light signalling devices, the mandatory fitment of conspicuity marking (i.e. retro-reflective markings to indicate the overall dimensions of the vehicle) is introduced for certain categories of heavy vehicles.
Nov 2006
New Heavy Vehicle Braking Regulation in New Zealand.
Land Transport New Zealand have published a new rule that replaces the various current New Zealand regulations and codes of practice on heavy vehicle braking, consolidates the requirements into one document and updates them to reflect current braking technology.