Strategies to Assist Economies to Integrate into UNECE Framework for Vehicle Regulation

1. 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004 28th APEC Transportation Working Group Meeting Vancouver, Canada 5-8 September 2006 Strategies to Assist Economies to Integrate into UNECE Framework for Vehicle Regulation Strategies to Assist Economies to Integrate into UNECE Framework for Vehicle Regulation Purpose: Information Submitted by: Australia Peter Robertson General Manager, Vehicle Safety Standards Australia

2. Strategies to Assist Economies to Integrate into UNECE Framework for Vehicle Regulation Peter Robertson General Manager, Vehicle Safety Standards Australia 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

3. At last meeting… • Considered four issues for moving forward • Work programs to harmonise motorcycle regulations and basic vehicle regulations on ECE or GTRs where available • Clarification of information requirements to participate in WP29 • Identify assistance required to participate in JASIC experts group • Identify information that needs to flow from WP29 to VSHG 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

4. Core Regulations • Basic regulations for passenger vehicles identified by Japan • Motorcycle regulations identified by IMMA • Fewer in number and comparatively simple, but affect large numbers of vehicles in the market place • Good way to learn about certification systems and WP 29 Arrangements • Economies asked at last meeting to consider adoption of UNECE motorcycle regulations and GTRs where available 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

5. Impediments • Recognise issues raised by the USA • But ministers have given us mandate to move to harmonisation • Need to be clear about difference between acceptance and mandating in domestic rulemaking • Need to be able to make progress towards Bogor goals by 2010 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

6. Realistically… • GTRs will take time to develop • Will replace UNECE Regulations over time • UNECE Regulations are available now • Mutual recognition provisions of 1958 Agreement of critical importance in APEC context – tested once, accepted everywhere 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

7. Consider… • Not necessary to be a 1958 Agreement signatory to accept UNECE regulations • Not necessary to be a 1998 Agreement signatory to accept GTRs • Accept does not mean mandate 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

8. WP 29 Linkage • Can attend WP29 without signing either agreement • Can sign 1958 Agreement but not obliged to apply regulations • Can apply regulations but not obliged to issue type approvals unless possessing the technical capacity to do so (but must accept type approvals for applied regulations) 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

9. Importance of 1998 Agreement • Is essential for global harmonisation of regulations in the longer term • Now seeing progress in development of GTRs • But necessary to utilise 1958 Agreement for mutual recognition • Regulations already in place • Established and mature processes for mutual recognition of product • Provides uniform means of certification • Is consistent with WTO TBT requirements • 1958 Agreement will remain important and necessary after 1998 Agreement matures 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

10. Strategic Direction • Cannot afford to wait for GTRs but should adopt default position that GTRs will be accepted as they become available • In the interim need to focus on UNECE Regulations as the basis for trade • Economies need to structure programs that suit their needs and capacity in pursuing Bogor objectives • Excellent role models to follow – eg Thailand, Korea 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

11. Areas Where Economies Have Sought Assistance • Identifying whether regulations are suitable for individual economies • Requiring information on how the regulations are developed • Assistance in establishing certification processes (including recalls) • Assistance in establishing national rule making arrangements • Technical assistance in understanding regulations 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

12. Are these needs being met? • Technical assistance provided by JASIC Expert Groups appears to be working effectively • Question of how VSHG should support JASIC • Report by Korea on WP29 activities very comprehensive • What would economies like to see? 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

13. Suggest… • Detailed technical guidance on ECE Regulations could be left to JASIC technical workshops • But priorities identified through feedback at VSHG so that workshops can meet identified needs • Keep VSHG as a strategic group 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

14. Checklist • Do we have a clear objective for VSHG (consider proposal by Korea)? • Do economies have clear understandings of their options for participating in WP29? • Have we identified roadblocks and what can we do about them? • How realistic are Bogor Goals for vehicle standards – what can we expect to achieve by 2010? 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004

15. 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004 In summary • Need to develop action plans to incorporate basic regulations for passenger vehicles and motorcycles into domestic legislation at pace appropriate for each economy • Recommend priority to motorcycle regulations (as noted earlier, are comparatively simple and good basis for learning about certification systems and WP29 arrangements) • Identify assistance required for economies to participate in JASIC expert groups and target priority areas • Clarify information that needs to flow from WP29 to VSHG

16. Discussion 2006/TPT-WG-28/LEG/004