Archive

Jan 2024

EU Regulations on the In-Service Verification Testing of CO2 Emissions Published

(EU) 2019/631, which is the EU Regulation on the CO2 emissions performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles, includes a requirement for Type Approval Authorities to undertake testing on in-service vehicles to verify that their CO2 emissions and fuel consumption performance aligns with the figures specified on the vehicle’s Certificate of Conformity (CoC). However, implementation of this requirement was subject to the European Commission defining the necessary processes and procedures to allow for its correct and consistent application. On December 18, 2023, the European Commission published Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2867 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2866 which specify the necessary guiding principles, selection criteria, processes and procedures for the in-service verification testing of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption performance.

Dec 2023

EU Regulation on Advanced Driver Distraction Warning Systems Published

On November 22, 2023, a new European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2590 on Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems was published. The fitment of ADDW systems, which are defined as "systems that help the driver to continue to pay attention to the traffic situation and that warn the driver when he or she is distracted", is one of the new safety features mandated by EU Regulation 2019/2144. This new Delegated Regulation specifies the technical and performance requirements that ADDW systems must comply with and specifies test procedures for "spot-check" testing on vehicles equipped with ADDW systems.

Nov 2023

Updates to Australian Design Rule on Side Impact Proposed

On September 22, 2023, the Australian Government published a proposed update to the Australian Design Rule (ADR) on dynamic side impact occupant protection; ADR 72/00. Whereas the current version of ADR 72/00 requires compliance with the technical requirements specified in United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation No. 95-01, in the draft version of ADR 72/01, it is proposed that compliance with the technical requirements specified in UN ECE 95-03 would become mandatory. There are numerous differences between UN ECE 95-01 and UN ECE 95-03, but one of the most significant is the introduction of post-crash electrical safety requirements for vehicles equipped with an electrical power train operating on high voltage, i.e. hybrid electric and pure electric vehicles.

Oct 2023

The NHTSA Issue a Proposal to Amend Anthropomorphic Test Devices

The NHTSA has published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for an optional dummy to be part of 49 CFR Part 572, Anthropomorphic Test Devices. It is NHTSA’s intention to allow use of this dummy Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) 50th percentile adult male (THOR-50M) for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection crash testing and for crash worthiness ratings in the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The THOR-50M would be an alternative (at the vehicle manufacturer's option) to the 50th percentile adult male dummy currently specified for use in frontal crash compliance tests. Since the new test device is not mandatory, the plan would be to make the change effective upon publication of the Final Rule in the Federal Register.

Sep 2023

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Issues a Proposal to Amend Consumer Product Safety Standard for Four-Wheel All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

The CPSC has published in the Federal Register an NPRM updating 16 CFR Part 1420 to reflect the latest version of ANSI/SVIA 1-2007. The major updates reflected in the 2023 version affect hot surfaces, fuel system components, tyre pressure, owner’s manual, and effective dates. CPSC believes that the owner’s manual changes could have adverse implications for safety. Comments need to be submitted by September 25, 2023.

Aug 2023

Draft EU Regulation on Recyclability and End of Life Vehicles Published

Following a review of the current EC Directives on End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) and on the reusability, recyclability and recoverability of motor vehicles, the European Commission have developed a completely new EU Regulation on the circulatory requirements for vehicle design and on management of End of Life vehicles, which will repeal and replace both of the existing Directives. The aim of this new draft Regulation is to promote more circular business models by linking design issues to end of life treatment, consider rules on mandatory recycled content for certain materials and improve recycling efficiency.

Jul 2023

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Issued a Proposal to Add a New Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) to Require Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) for Light Vehicles

The new rulemaking requires Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), including Pedestrian AEB (PAEB), systems on light vehicles. The new requirements (FMVSS 127 - Automatic Emergency Braking Systems for Light Vehicles and PART 596 - Automatic Emergency Braking Test Devices) are projected to detect when the vehicle is in a crash imminent situation, and automatically apply the vehicle brakes as required to meet new test requirements and prevent or lessen impacts with lead vehicle or pedestrian. The Agency outlines the rationale for going from voluntary to mandatory and lists the projected benefits. Comments are due on or before August 14, 2023.

Jun 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Issued a Proposal to Amend Specific Provisions in the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule (40 CFR Part 98)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule (GHGR). EPA indicates that this is being done to improve the quality and collection of data that is relevant to a wide variety of Clean Air Act provisions. The May 22, 2023 supplemental proposal revises the 2022 Data Quality Improvements Proposal where amendments to specific provisions of the GHGR are identified by EPA for improvement, such as where the rule may be modified to reflect the EPA’s current understanding of U.S. GHG emission trends, or to improve data collection and reporting where additional data may be necessary to better understand emissions from specific sectors or inform future policy decisions.

May 2023

Draft EU Regulation on Advanced Driver Distraction Warning Systems Published

On March 24, 2023, the European Commission published a draft Delegated Regulation on Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems, which are defined as systems that help the driver to continue to pay attention to the traffic situation and that warn the driver when he or she is distracted. The fitment of ADDW systems is one of the new safety features mandated by EU Regulation 2019/2144, and this draft Delegated Regulation specifies the technical and performance requirements that ADDW systems must comply with, along with the associated assessment procedures and test procedures.

Apr 2023

Updated UN ECE Regulation on Automated Lane Keeping Systems Published

Updated UN ECE Regulation on Automated Lane Keeping Systems Published On March 3, 2023, the 01 Series of Amendments to UN ECE Regulation No. 157 on Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) were formally published. The two key changes introduced by this 01 Series of Amendments are an increase in the maximum speed at which automated lane keeping systems can operate from 60km/h to 130km/h and the introduction of new requirements to allow the type approval of ALKS that incorporate a lane change capability, where the system can execute a lane change manoeuvre without input from the driver.