Archive
May 2022
Draft EU Regulations on the Type Approval of Fully Automated Vehicles Published
The European Commission have recently published two draft EU Regulations which pave the way for the more widespread deployment of fully automated vehicles in Europe. One of them is a draft Implementing Regulation specifying uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type approval of the automated driving systems of fully automated motor vehicles. The other one is a draft Delegated Regulation proposing amendments to (EU) 2018/858 to permit the European Small Series Type Approval (EUSSTA) of fully automated motor vehicles.
Apr 2022
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Issued a Request for Comments (RFC) Regarding Adding Additional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Plus Other Updates
NHTSA published in the Federal Register a Request for Comments (RFC) on proposed actions to the NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). These actions include adding four new advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technologies, a NHTSA plan to develop a new rating system, steps to list the crash avoidance rating information on the vehicle's window sticker (Monroney label), a NHTSA roadmap to update NCAP in phases over the next ten years, a request for comments on expanding NCAP to provide consumer information on safety technologies that could help people drive safer by preventing or limiting risky driving behaviour, and NHTSA's ideas for updating several programmatic aspects of NCAP.
Mar 2022
Draft EU Regulation on Administrative Fines for Type Approval Non-Compliance Published
EU Regulation No. 2018/858 introduced provisions which require the European Commission to carry out compliance verification activities on vehicles and components that are placed on the market in the European Union to ensure that production vehicles and components comply with the type approval requirements. If any non-compliances are identified during these activities, the European Commission is authorised to implement measures on the responsible economic operator to ensure that production vehicles and components are brought back into conformity and, where appropriate, to impose administrative fines. On January 27, 2022, the European Commission published a draft Delegated Regulation specifying the procedure and methods for the calculation and collection of such administrative fines.
Feb 2022
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Issued a Final Rule Creating FMVSS 227 – Bus Rollover Structural Integrity
On December 29, 2021 NHTSA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule (FR) establishing FMVSS 227 - Bus Rollover Structural Integrity. This FR ensures that bus roofs and side wall panels will resist deformation and intrusion into the occupant space in rollover crashes, and reduces the risk of emergency exits becoming ejection portals in a crash. These requirements will apply to "large buses" with some exceptions and will put them on the same level as school bus structural integrity.
Jan 2022
Scope of UN ECE Regulation on Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems Extended
On December 17, 2021, the 01 Series of Amendments to UN ECE Regulation No. 141 on Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) were formally published. The mandatory fitment of tyre pressure monitoring systems to N category goods vehicles, M2 and M3 category buses and coaches and 03 and 04 category heavy trailers and semi-trailers is one of the new safety features mandated by EU Regulation 2019/2144, and this 01 Series of Amendments expands the scope of ECE 141 to include these additional categories of vehicle. This Series of Amendments also introduces new and revised technical and performance requirements to cater for tyre pressure monitoring systems fitted to vehicles of these categories.
Dec 2021
EU Regulation on Intelligent Speed Assistance Systems Published
On November 17, 2021, new European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1958 on Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems was published. The fitment of ISA systems is one of the new safety features mandated by EU Regulation 2019/2144, and this new Delegated Regulation specifies the technical and performance requirements that ISA systems must comply with. However, rather than mandating one specific technical specification for all ISA systems, the Regulation permits a number of options and allows vehicle manufacturers to select the most appropriate option for their vehicles.
Nov 2021
EU and UN ECE Develop New Regulations on Event Data Recorders
In recent weeks, there have been some important developments in both the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) regarding new Regulations to mandate the fitment of event data recorders (EDR’s) to M1 and N1 category vehicles. On October 21, 2021, the UN ECE published a new UN ECE Regulation on event data recorders, Regulation No. 160. Furthermore, in the coming weeks, it is expected that an 01 Series of Amendments to this new Regulation will also be published. From an EU perspective, on October 12, 2021, the European Commission published a draft version of their Supplementing Regulation to mandate the fitment of event data recorders to M1 and N1 category vehicles for public comment.
Oct 2021
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed New Rule to Revise 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Standards
The EPA issued a proposal in the August 10, 2021 Federal Register to increase the stringency of GHG Emission and Fuel Economy on Light Vehicles. Near term actions are for vehicles through 2026 MY and there are longer term actions included for 2027 MY and beyond. The EPA provided a long list of actions where they are seeking comments. Included are purpose, authority, history, analysis, cost, incentives, alternatives, etc.
Sep 2021
EU Regulation on Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning Systems Published
On August 16, 2021, new European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1341 on Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) systems was published. The fitment of DDAW systems is one of the new safety features mandated by EU Regulation 2019/2144, and this new Delegated Regulation specifies the technical and performance requirements for DDAW systems and specifies criteria for the validation testing which must be undertaken by vehicle manufacturers to demonstrate the compliance of their DDAW systems with defined minimum performance thresholds.
Aug 2021
Two New ECE Regulations to Protect Vulnerable Road Users Published
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) have recently published two new UN ECE Regulations covering systems which are intended to assist drivers in avoiding collisions with vulnerable road users, i.e. pedestrians and cyclists.