G/TBT/N/USA/1568/Add.1  
 
14 December 2020  
(20-9004) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated  14 December 2020 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States of America . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Title: Miscellaneous Amendments to Brake System Safety Standards and Codification of Waivers  
 
Reason for Addendum:  
[  ] Comment period changed - date:   
[  ] Notified measure adopted - date:  
[X] Notified measure published - date: 11 December 2020  
[X] Notified measure enters into force - date: 11 December 2020  
[X] Text of final measure available from1:  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2020-12-11/html/2020 -25817 .htm 
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2020-12-11/pdf/2020 -25817.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/TBT/USA/final_measure/20_7641_00_
e.pdf 
[  ] Notified measure withdrawn or revoked - date:  
Relevant symbol if meas ure re -notified:   
[  ] Content or scope of notified measure changed  
New deadline for comments (if applicable):   
[  ] Interpretive guidance issued and text available from1:  
[  ] Other:  
 
Description:  AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT)  
ACTION: Final rule  
SUMMARY: FRA is revising its regulations governing brake inspections, tests, and equipment. The 
changes include the incorporation of relief from various p rovisions provided in long -standing waivers 
related to single car air brake tests, end -of-train devices, helper service, and brake maintenance. 
FRA is also extending the time that freight rail equipment can be "off -air" before requiring a new 
brake inspect ion. In addition, FRA is making various modifications to the existing brake -related 
regulations to improve clarity and remove outdated or unnecessary provisions. FRA expects the 
revisions will benefit railroads and the public by reducing unnecessary costs,  creating consistency 
between U.S. and Canadian regulations, and incorporating the use of newer technologies 
 
1 This information can be provided by including a website address, a pdf attachment, or other 
information on where the text of the final measure and/or interpretive guidance can be obtained.  G/TBT/N/USA/1568/Add.1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  demonstrated to maintain or increase safety. The rule will reduce the overall regulatory burden on 
railroads. DATES: This final rule is effective 1 1 December 2020.  
Justification for Immediate Effective Date. FRA finds that this rule relieves current regulatory 
restrictions, thus in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1), FRA has determined it is appropriate to 
make the rule effective upon publication.  
Incorporation by Reference. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule 
is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 11 December 2020. The incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in the rule was approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of 15 December 2008.  
This final rule and the notice of proposed rulemaking notified as G/TBT/N/USA/1568  are identified 
by Docket Number FRA -2018-0093. The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov at 
https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FRA -2018-0093 and provides access to primary documents 
as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by sea rching 
the Docket Number.  
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