| 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. |
|
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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.
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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) |
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|
|
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. |
|
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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. |
|
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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. |
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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.
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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.
|