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United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) 'Revised 1958 Agreement': uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts, and conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals; Revision 3

2015/0249(NLE)

PURPOSE: to conclude Revision 3 of the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for the reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2016/1790 on the conclusion of Revision 3 of the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for the reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions (‘Revised 1958 Agreement’).

CONTENT: the Council Decision approves, on behalf of the Union, Revision 3 of the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for the reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions.

The Revised 1958 Agreement concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts entered into force in 1995.

WP.29 agreed, at its 150th session in March 2010, to establish an informal group with a view to assisting WP.29 in considering actions on the future direction for the harmonisation of vehicle regulations under the Agreement. This future direction should aim:

  • at fostering the participation of more countries and regional economic integration organisations in the activities of the World Forum;
  • at increasing the number of Contracting Parties to the Agreement, by improving its functioning and reliability, and thus ensuring that it remains the key international framework for the harmonisation of technical regulations in the automotive sector.

On 15 July 2013, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations within WP.29 to amend the Agreement.

At its 164th session in November 2014, WP.29 took note of a proposal submitted by a number of Contracting Parties to the Agreement to increase the voting majority threshold for the establishment of new UN Regulations and amendments to existing UN Regulations, from the two-thirds to a four-fifths majority. The representative of the Union announced the intention to establish a coordinated position of the EU Member States on this proposal.

The proposals for Revision 3 of the Agreement and for increasing the voting majority threshold from two thirds to four fifths meet the negotiation objectives specified in the Council Decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations within WP.29 for Revision 3 of the Agreement.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 11.10.2016.