Archive

2021-01-04

NHTSA Seeks Additional Input for Development of a Framework for Automated Driving System (ADS) Safety

As noted in the InterRegs December Bulletin, NHTSA had authored an ANPRM on Automated Driving Systems that was to be released in the Federal Register soon. In the December 3rd Federal Register (F.R. Vol. 85 No. 223) the ANPRM was published. The document contains numerous specific requests for comment regarding Safety Framework, NHTSA Research, Administrative Mechanisms and Statutory Authority. The ANPRM also highlights potential safety benefits of ADSs and activity to remove unintentional and unnecessary barriers to the development and deployment of ADS vehicles.

2020-12-01

Updates to UN ECE Regulation on Advanced Emergency Braking Systems Published

Since the publication of the original version of UN ECE Regulation No. 152 on advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS) for M1 and N1 category vehicles, the Informal Working Group responsible for the development of this Regulation have continued to work on further refinements and enhancements to the requirements applicable to such systems. On November 4, 2020, the latest output of this ongoing work was published in the form of a Supplement 1 to ECE 152.00 and an 01 Series of Amendments to ECE 152. The changes introduced by Supplement 1 are mainly to clarify the technical requirements and their application, whereas the changes introduced by the 01 Series of Amendments increase the stringency of the vehicle to pedestrian performance requirements.

2020-11-02

New Australian Road Vehicle Standards Legislation Published

In preparation for the mandatory implementation of the Australian Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, on September 30, 2020, the Australian Government published a new 03 version of Australian Design Rule (ADR) 61 on vehicle marking. This new version of the ADR, ADR 61/03, removes the requirement to fit vehicles with an identification plate/compliance plate and replaces it with a requirement for vehicles to be fitted with a "secure vehicle identification marking."

2020-10-01

The NHTSA/DOT issue Interim Final Rule and Request for Comments Regarding Delay of FMVSS 141 Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

NHTSA has published an Interim Final Rule along with a Request for Comments in response to a petition asking for relief in meeting phase-in and full compliance dates for FMVSS 141 - Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. Assembly and supplier part plants that were shut down due to COVID-19 precautions are causing issues in meeting the projected timing for compliance. Initial NHTSA response is a 6 month delay in compliance dates for FMVSS 141.

2020-09-01

EU Proposes Revisions to the Post 2020 Average CO2 Monitoring Requirements for Light Duty Vehicles

As specified in Regulation (EU) 2019/631, the average CO2 emissions targets applicable to passenger car and light commercial vehicle manufacturers will switch from being based on New European Drive Cycle (NEDC) figures to being based on Worldwide Harmonised Light Duty Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) figures from January 1, 2021. On August 4, 2020, the European Commission published a draft Regulation proposing amendments to (EU) 2019/631 to further facilitate the transition to WLTP based average CO2 emissions targets.

2020-08-01

New UN ECE Regulations on Cyber Security and Software Updates Adopted

At the 181st session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) in June 2020, two new draft UN ECE Regulations relating to vehicle electronic systems were adopted. The first of these new draft Regulations, now designated ECE 155-00, introduces requirements on the cyber security of onboard vehicle electronic systems and on the cyber security management systems that vehicle manufacturers must have in place. The second new draft Regulation, now designated ECE 156-00, introduces requirements on software updates to in-service vehicles, including "over the air" software updates, and on the software management systems that vehicle manufacturers must have in place.

2020-07-01

New Chinese Standards on Electric Vehicles and Batteries Published

As part of an exercise to update the safety requirements applicable to electrically powered vehicles, China has recently published three new Chinese standards. GB 38031-2020 is a new standard covering safety requirements for electric vehicle batteries, which replaces two existing GB/T standards, GB 18384-2020 is a new standard covering safety requirements for electric vehicles, which replaces three existing GB/T standards and GB 38032-2020 is a completely new standard introducing specific safety requirements for electric and hybrid electric buses.

2020-06-01

Updates to ECE Regulation on Lighting Installation Adopted

At the 180th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) in March 2020, an 07 Series of Amendments to UN ECE Regulation No. 48 on lighting installation were adopted. This new Series of Amendments introduces revised requirements on daytime running lamps and on the automatic switching between daytime running lamps and dipped beam headlamps to clarify their application. In line with the requirements introduced by EU Regulation No. 2019/2144 on General Safety, this new Series of Amendments also mandates the fitment of an emergency stop signal to all motor vehicles.

2020-05-01

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Proposes Revisions to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSSs) to Accommodate Automated Driving Systems (ADS)

In the March 30th Federal Register (Vol. 85; No.61) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a proposal to modify many of the 200 Series Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to accommodate vehicles with Automated Driving Systems (ADS). The objective is to maintain current occupant protection performance, eliminate unnecessary barriers, keep current regulatory text structure and remain technology neutral. NHTSA has requested feedback for this proposal by May 29, 2020.

2020-04-01

Taiwan Delays the Introduction Dates for Certain New Safety Requirements

In January 2020, the Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) issued an updated version of their Motor Vehicle Safety Testing Regulations which included a number of amendments that delay the dates from which compliance with the latest safety requirements become mandatory. The requirements that are affected by these delayed introduction dates include those mandating the fitment of daytime running lamps, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS), speed limiters, brake assist systems (BAS) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems.