Latest Articles

June 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 ...

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 ...

April 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 ...

2023

March 2023
Updates to UN ECE Regulation on Advanced Emergency Braking Systems for Heavy Vehicles Published

On February 21, 2023, an 02 Series of Amendments to UN ECE Regulation No. 131 on Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) for heavy vehicles were formally published. The ...

February 2023
The EPA Proposes New Rule to Revise 2023 through 2025 Calendar Year Renewable Fuel Standard Program (40 CFR Part 80 and Part 1090)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued proposed rulemaking in the December 30, 2022 Federal Register (F.R. Vol. 87 No. 250) - EPA 40 CFR Part 80 and Part 1090 ( ...

January 2023
Two New ECE Regulations to Protect Vulnerable Road Users Adopted

At the 188th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) in November, two new UN ...

2022

December 2022
Draft EU Regulation on Euro 7 Emissions Requirements Published

A draft version of the new EU Regulation specifying the Euro 7 emissions requirements that will apply to all M and N category vehicles was published on the European ...

November 2022
Updates to UN ECE Regulation on Hydrogen Fuel Systems Published

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation No. 134 on hydrogen fuel systems was originally published in June 2015 and, although its scope covered ...

October 2022
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Issued a Request for Information (RFI) Enhancing the Safety of Vulnerable Road Users at Intersections

The DoT is searching for data, information and ideas to make intersections safe for Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) and vehicles. The request focuses on adapting existing ...

September 2022
Scope of EU Regulations on Heavy Duty Vehicle CO2 Emissions Expanded

To allow for the full implementation and monitoring of the European Union’s policies on the reduction of CO2 emissions from heavy duty vehicles, it will be necessary to ...

August 2022
NHTSA Issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Regarding Event Data Recorders (EDRs)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing to amend the regulation for Event Data Recorders (EDRs) to extend the recording period for timed ...

July 2022
Updates to the EU Regulation on Heavy Duty Vehicle Emissions Proposed to Cover Vehicles using Pure Biodiesel

With the increased commercial availability of diesel fuels containing a higher proportion of biodiesel, e.g. (B20) ad (B30), and even pure biodiesel (B100), the European ...

June 2022
Draft Updates to the EU Regulation on Light Duty Vehicle Emissions Published

On May 23, 2022, the European Commission published a draft Regulation containing proposed amendments to (EU) 2017/1151 on light duty vehicle emissions. The package of ...

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 ...

April 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 ...

March 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 ...

February 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 ...

January 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 ...

2021

December 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 ...

November 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 ...

October 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 ...

September 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 ...

August 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 ...

July 2021
Draft EU Regulation on Type Approval Market Surveillance Requirements Published

On June 8, 2021, the European Commission published a new draft EU Implementing Regulation for EU Regulation No. 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor ...

June 2021
NHTSA Seeks To Repeal The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Part One: One National Program

Published in the May 12, 2021 Federal Register, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposes to fully repeal the regulatory text and appendices promulgated in the "The ...

May 2021
EU Regulation on Emergency Lane Keeping Systems Published

The mandatory fitment of Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS) is one of the new safety features required by EU Regulation 2019/2144, and to support the introduction of ...

April 2021
New UN ECE Regulation on Automated Lane Keeping Systems Published

On March 4, 2021, new United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation No. 157-00 on automated lane keeping systems was officially published. This new ...

March 2021
Draft EU Regulation on Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning Systems Published

The mandatory fitment of Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) systems is one of the new safety features mandated by EU Regulation 2019/2144, and to support the ...

February 2021
New Chinese Standards on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Published

The Chinese Government have published three new standards which specifically cover advanced driver assistance systems. Chinese standard GB/T 39263-2020 specifies terms ...

January 2021
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 ...

2020

December 2020
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 ...

November 2020
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 ...

October 2020
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 ...

September 2020
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 ...

August 2020
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 ...

July 2020
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- ...

June 2020
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 ...

May 2020
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 ...

April 2020
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 ...

March 2020
USDOT Expands Autonomous Vehicle Support and Requests Comments

The Office of the Secretary for the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued Automated Vehicles 4.0: Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle ...

February 2020
New ECE Regulation on Blind Spot Information Systems Published

On January 13, 2020, a new United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation on Blind Spot Information Systems for the detection of bicycles, ECE ...

January 2020
New EU General Safety Regulation Published

The long awaited new EU General Safety Regulation was finally published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 16th December 2019 as EU Regulation No. 2019/2144 ...

2019

December 2019
EU Regulation on Aerodynamic Devices for Trucks and Trailers Published

On November 12, 2019, a new EU Regulation was published which introduced amendments to EU Regulation No. 1230/2012 on the type approval requirements for masses and ...

November 2019
NHTSA Issues an Advanced Proposal for the Addition of a Seat Belt Use Warning System for Rear Seats

On September 27, 2019 (FR Vol. 84 No. 188) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) (Docket ...

October 2019
NHTSA Issues an NPRM to allow more Flexibility in the Pedestrian Alert Sounds of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

On September 17, 2019 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety ...

September 2019
New EU Regulation on CO2 Emissions Targets for Heavy Duty Vehicles Published

On July 25, 2019, a new European Union Regulation specifying CO2 emissions reduction targets for heavy duty vehicles, EU Regulation No. 2019/1242, was published in the ...

August 2019
New UN ECE Regulation on Advanced Emergency Braking Systems Adopted

At the 178th session of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) in June 2019, a new UN ECE Regulation on Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS ...

July 2019
US Federal Agencies are Continuing to Pursue Rulemaking related to Autonomous Vehicles

On May 28, 2019 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) and is seeking public comment on ...

June 2019
Draft Amendments to EU Regulation on Heavy Duty Vehicle Emissions Published

On 17th May 2019, the European Commission published a draft Regulation introducing "Step E" of the Euro VI heavy duty emissions requirements. The two main amendments ...

May 2019
Major Revisions to UN ECE Regulations on Lamps and Reflectors Adopted

At its recent 177th session, the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) adopted three new United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) ...

April 2019
New Australian Road Vehicle Standards Legislation Published

A number of significant changes to the Australian legislative requirements regarding the importation and first provision of road vehicles and their components have been ...

March 2019
Draft EU Regulation on Aerodynamic Devices for Trucks and Trailers Published

On 30th January 2019, the European Commission published a draft Regulation proposing amendments to EU Regulation No. 1230/2012 on the type approval requirements for ...

February 2019
Updates to EU and UK Type Approval Requirements Published to Cover Brexit

The UK's impending departure from the European Union will have implications on the application and acceptability of European Union type approvals issued to passenger cars ...

January 2019
Updated ECE Requirements on Airbag Warning Labels Proposed

At the November session of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29), an 08 series of amendments to United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ( ...

2018

December 2018
ECE Regulation on Steering Updated to Cover Further Automatically Commanded Steering Functions

On 2nd November 2018, an 03 series of amendments to UN ECE Regulation No. 79 was published. This follows on from the previous 02 series of amendments to United Nations ...

November 2018
The U.S. DOT Issued a Notice of Request for Comments on newly issued autonomous vehicle guidelines - Preparing for the Future of Transportation: Automated Vehicles 3.0 (AV 3.0)

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a Notice of Request for Comments on a newly issued autonomous vehicles document: The DOT has issued an update to ...

October 2018
ECE Adopts Updated Requirements on Selective Catalyst Reduction Systems for Light Duty Vehicles

The World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) has recently adopted a proposed Supplement 7 to United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) ...

September 2018
China Introduces Reduced Fuel Consumption Limits for Heavy Duty Vehicles

The Chinese government have recently published an updated version of the Chinese Standard specifying the maximum permissible fuel consumption limits for heavy duty ...

August 2018
New EU Regulation on Heavy Duty Vehicle CO2 Emissions Monitoring Published

As part of the European Union's plans to implement a CO2 emissions reduction regime for heavy duty vehicles, on 9th July 2018, a new EU Regulation on the monitoring and ...

July 2018
New EU Type Approval Framework Regulation Published

On 14th June 2018, the new EU Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical ...

June 2018
EU Proposes New Regulation to Repeal and Replace (EC) No. 661/2009

On 17th May 2018, the European Commission published a draft new EU Regulation that will repeal and replace EC Regulation No. 661/2009 on the type approval requirements ...

May 2018
The FMCSA issues a Request for Comments to Identify Regulatory Barriers to Introducing Automated Driving Systems on Commercial Motor Vehicles in Interstate Commerce

This month's Spotlight article highlights another opportunity for stakeholder input for revising current regulations and/or drafting new ones regarding autonomous ...

April 2018
New Brazilian Resolution on Side Impact Protection Published

In January 2018, the Brazilian National Traffic Council (CONTRAN) published a new Resolution covering vehicle occupant protection requirements in the event of a side ...

March 2018
Draft ECE Regulation on International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA) Adopted

In November 2017, at their 173rd session, the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) finally adopted the new United Nations Economic Commission for ...

February 2018
The NHTSA and the FHWA Issue Requests for Comments / Information to Identify Regulatory Barriers to Introducing Automated Driving Systems

Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) are increasingly being tested and introduced onto the public roadways. Although predicted by most to save lives and decrease injuries ...

January 2018
EU Proposes Mandatory Fitment of Onboard Fuel Consumption Measuring Devices

On 12th December 2017, the European Commission published a draft Regulation proposing the mandatory fitment of onboard fuel consumption measuring devices to all light ...

January 2023

Two New ECE Regulations to Protect Vulnerable Road Users Adopted

At the 188th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29), which took place in Geneva on November 14-16, 2022, two new UN ECE Regulations were adopted which are intended to assist drivers in avoiding collisions with vulnerable road users, i.e. pedestrians and cyclists. The first Regulation, which has provisionally been allocated Regulation No. 166, covers the driver’s awareness of vulnerable road users in close proximity to the front and lateral sides of vehicles. The second Regulation, which has provisionally been allocated Regulation No. 167, covers direct vision from the driver’s cab of heavy vehicles.

Proposed ECE Regulation No. 166.00 applies to M1 and N1 category vehicles (i.e. passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks and vans) and requires the fitment of a system to enhance the driver’s awareness of vulnerable road users, especially children, in close proximity to the front and sides of the vehicle when the vehicle is moving off from stationary. The requirements apply across the full width of the front of the vehicle and to both sides of the vehicle forward of the centre of the exterior rear view mirrors or cameras. Compliance with the vision/detection requirements specified in this proposed Regulation may be achieved by:

  • Direct vision
     
  • The rear view mirrors or rear view camera monitor system fitted to the vehicle to comply with the requirements of ECE 46 on indirect vision
     
  • Additional close proximity vision mirror(s)
     
  • An additional close proximity camera system
     
  • A detection system (e.g. parking sensors), or
     
  • A combination of the above.

The proposed Regulation specifies the field of vision that must be achieved by mirrors and camera systems, and the field of detection that must be achieved by detection systems (e.g. parking sensors). It also contains specific test procedures to assess compliance with these field of vision/field of detection requirements.

For each of the permissible vision/detection system, i.e. mirror(s), camera system or detection system, the proposed Regulation also specifies requirements on their design, operation and installation.

Proposed ECE Regulation No. 167.00 applies to M2, M3, N2 and N3 category vehicles (i.e. buses, coaches, trucks and tractor units) and specifies requirements on the driver’s direct vision (i.e. the vision achieved without the aid of indirect vision devices such as mirrors or cameras) of the area directly to the front and to the sides of the driver’s cab. The intention of this proposed Regulation is to provide the drivers of heavy vehicles with improved direct vision of vulnerable road users, i.e. pedestrians and cyclists, in close proximity to the driver’s cab, thereby allowing them to avoid potential collisions with vulnerable road users, especially in urban situations.

Recognising that, due to the wide variety of vehicle designs covered by this proposed Regulation and their different usage profiles, it would not be feasible, or necessary, to specify one level of direct vision performance that all heavy vehicles must comply with, the proposed Regulation specifies three different performance levels:

  • Level 1 – For vehicles that often travel in urban areas.
     
  • Level 2 – For vehicles that sometimes travel in urban areas, but which have specific operational limitations.
     
  • Level 3 – For vehicles that seldom enter urban areas.

To determine the direct vision available to the driver, the proposed Regulation adopts a different approach to the approaches specified in other ECE Regulations on vision, such as ECE 46, ECE 125 or ECE 158 which specify vision angles or vision zones. The direct vision measurement specified in the proposed Regulation is based on an "assessment volume", which is generated from a defined area to the front and to the sides of the vehicle, and a defined height above the ground. The vehicle design is then assessed, either by physical measurement or using CAD data, to determine the amount of the "assessment volume" that can be directly viewed by the driver. The advantage of this "volume based" assessment method is that it can be applied to a wide variety of vehicle types and designs without being overly design prescriptive.

Whilst no mandatory introduction dates are specified within these two new UN ECE Regulations themselves, the European Union have already confirmed their intention to mandate compliance with proposed ECE Regulation No. 167 in EU Regulation No. 2019/2144 on "the type approval requirements of motor vehicles and their trailers, and systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general safety and the protection of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users", more commonly referred to as General Safety Regulation 2 or GSR 2. According to Annex II of (EU) 2019/2144, compliance with ECE 167.00 will become mandatory for new types of M2, M3, N2 and N3 category vehicle from January 7, 2026, and for all new M2, M3, N2 and N3 category vehicles from January 7, 2029.

Nick Bowyer