1. |
Product of Past G/I Meetings |
|
1) |
G/I meeting; 1st series (1st through 3rd
G/I meetings) |
|
|
a. |
Confirmed that international harmonization
of vehicle regulations and the system of mutual recognition of approvals
are necessary. |
|
|
b. |
Confirmed that the most appropriate forum for ensuring
auto safety and environmental protection, as well as for the smooth
global distribution, is the UN Economic Commission for Europe, World
Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (UN/ECE/WP29), and
that accession to the 1958 and 1998 agreements is of prime importance. |
|
|
c. |
Drew up an action plan as a guideline for each country/territory's
activities. Based on this plan, short-, intermediate-, and long-term
targets were provided in a joint communique. |
|
2) |
2nd Series (4th through 6th) |
|
|
a. |
Of the targets given in the joint communique of the
1st series, the 2nd series focused on the short-range target of expanding
and promoting participation in WP29 as observers. |
|
|
b. |
As a first step toward harmonization of vehicle regulations
and mutual recognition of approvals, the G/I meetings strived to improve
understanding of WP29 and its subcommittee (UN/ECE/WP29/GRs), and
analyzed factors that hinder participation in WP29/GRs. |
|
|
c. |
The cost of participation, lack of technical knowledge,
and language were identified as obstacles. It was advised that all
these problems are nonessential: technical problems can be overcome
by government/industry/academic tie-ups; a greater budget for participation
may be won by promoting the importance of vehicle regulations harmonization
activities to the top layer of organizations; and many representatives
who do not speak English, French, Russian and other official languages
of WP29 do participate in WP29 activities. |
|
|
d. |
Drew up an action plan as a guideline for each country/territory's
activities. Based on this plan, short-, intermediate-, and long-term
targets have been set in a joint communique.
|
2. |
Product of G/I Meetings, 3rd Series (7th through
9th) |
|
1) |
3rd Series G/I Meetings (7th and 8th) |
|
|
a. |
Based on the outcome of the 2nd series, the G/I meeting
worked on participation in WP29/GR activities and greater adoption
of UN/ECE regulations. |
|
|
b. |
Malaysia and India newly participated in WP29/GR as
observer.
Vietnam and the Philippines have seriously studied the possibility
of participating as observers. Thanks to the increased Asian participation,
the importance of WP29 activities has become known, and the countries/
territories have started considering and evaluating seriously the
advisability of joining the 1958 and /or the 1998 Agreement. |
|
|
c. |
Expert meetings based on each country/ territory's needs
were held as a new attempt for future G/I meetings. As a result, an
expert meeting on headlamps was held in Thailand, creating a foothold
for organizing future G/I meetings. |
|
2) |
3rd Series (9th G/I meeting) |
|
|
a. |
As the final meeting of the 3rd series, conducted comprehensive
activities, targeting participation in WP29/GR and expanded adoption
of UN/ECE regulations. |
|
|
b. |
Analyzed rights/obligations and merits/demerits of accession
to the 1958 Agreement, in order to promote understanding of the agreement.
Participating countries/ territories agreed that there were no fundamental
obstacles blocking accession, although domestic circumstances differ
among countries/ territories. This was confirmed in the discussion
with Mr. Gauvin, WP29 vice-chairman, who was invited to the meeting.
Vietnam realized to participate in 134th WP29 in November 2004. |
|
|
c. |
Many countries were found to have made progress in formulating
action plans for the adoption of UN/ECE regulations. Incorporation
of UN/ECE regulations has clearly become an important part of harmonization
efforts along with consideration to the accession to the 1958 Agreement. |
|
|
d. |
As for expert meetings, Indonesia planed to organize
a meeting in early
2005 on accession to the 1958 Agreement, and Thailand on standards
for brakes in mid-2005. Malaysia planed to organize a meeting in 2006
on glazing materials. It is hoped that many nations will participate
in those expert meetings. |
(Additional information: Korea signed the1958 Agreement in October
2004 by its own initiative.)
|
3. |
Setting Targets |
|
Participants in the 9th G/I meeting agreed to make efforts
according to the following schedule.
|
|
Short-term target (by the end of 2005) |
|
- |
The Philippines and Indonesia will probably attend WP29/GRs
as observers. |
|
- |
Malaysia and Thailand will join the 1958 Agreement and
continuously participate in WP29 or specific GRs. |
|
Intermediate-term target (by the end of 2007) |
|
- |
India will examine the issues of joining the 1958 and/or
the 1998 Agreement. |
|
- |
Singapore considers joining the 1958 Agreement. |
|
Long-term target (by the end of 2010) |
|
- |
Major UN/ECE regulations are to be adopted and efforts
would be made for mutual recognition of approvals. |
|
- |
Asian nations will propose new UN/ECE regulations that
reflect the circumstances in Asia, which will be considered by WP29
|
4. |
Process of Asian G/I Meetings in the Future |
|
Participants agreed that, based on the outcomes of the
3rd series, the 4th series of meeting is to be initiated, targeting
a decision on accession to the 1958/1998 Agreements and improved Asian
presence.
This new series will focus on the following core activities.
|
|
1. |
Joining the 1958/1998 Agreements by Asian countries/territories,
and expansion of nations joining the Agreements |
|
2. |
Increase in the number of nations participating in WP29,
and sending out messages concerning the state of Asian countries/
territories |
|
3. |
Stronger cooperation among Asian countries/ territories
for smooth transition to the new G/I meeting format
|
|
Participants agreed that, regarding the format of future
meetings, each participant should take part independently and actively,
exchanging opinions on issues involved in the promotion of vehicle
regulation harmonization and mutual recognition of approvals, led
by countries/territories that have acceded to the 1958 Agreement to
make international regulations reflect Asian circumstances when such
regulations are newly laid down or revised.
|
5. |
Contribution of the Auto Industry |
|
The auto industry has expressed its intention to work
together with the governments toward establishing an approval system
and mutual recognition of approvals, under which framework it will
promote plans for reasonable adoption of UN/ECE regulations and offer
technical support for the adoption of UN/ECE regulations.
|