G/TBT/N/NZL/85  
 
20 March 2019  
(19-1745) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  NEW ZEALAND   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Ministry of Transport  
318 Lambton Quay  
P.O. Box: 3175  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
Tel.: +64 22 010 2256  
Email: m.stone@transport.govt.nz   
Website: http://www.transport.govt.nz  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  All 
countries: New and used motorcycles imported into New Zealand that are to be registered 
for use on public road s.; Motorcycles and mopeds (ICS 43.140)  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Draft Land 
Transport Amendment Rule: Light -vehicle Brakes 2019 and accompanying papers (14 
page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  New Zea land Ministry of Transport is revising the 2002 Land 
Transport Rule: Light -vehicle Brakes. There is a compelling case for mandating Advanced 
Braking Systems (ABS) as soon as possible because of the safety benefit it brings to 
motorcyclists. This amendment will incorporate updated minimum standards for new 
motorcycles, and in particular will introduce a requirement for advanced brake systems 
for motorcycles meeting internationally recognised standards from Australia, Europe, 
Japan and the United States enter ing the fleet. New model new motorcycles will need to 
comply with one of the four international standards from November 2019. Existing and 
used motorcycles will need to comply with these standards from November 2021. The 
reason the rule is proposed to be i mplemented on these dates is to reduce the risk of 
New Zealand receiving less safe motorbikes, with Australia bringing in these requirements 
on the same dates.  
The revised Rule will require advanced braking systems (anti -lock brakes or a combined 
braking system) for motorcycles, depending on the powerband. It will continue existing 
minimum standards for existing models and used vehicles, until 1 November 2021. The 
proposed new braking standards are applicable in Europe, the United States, Japan and 
Austral ia, are internationally recognised and accepted in the international motor 
manufacturing industry. We do not anticipate that this rule change will produce a 
significant barrier to trade.  G/TBT/N/NZL/85  
 
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  The proposed restrictions relate only to registrations of motorcycles  for the use of public 
roads. Non -compliant motorcycles will still be able to be used off -road. 
The approved vehicle standards for brakes are:  
(a) Council Directive of 26 July 1971 on the approximation of the laws of the Member 
States relating to the braki ng devices of certain categories of motor vehicles and of 
their trailers (71/320/EEC);  
(b) Council Directive of 5 April 1993 on the braking of two or three -wheel motor 
vehicles (93/14/EEC);  
(c) UN/ECE Regulation No. 13, Uniform provisions concerning the ap proval  
of vehicles of categories M, N and O with regard to braking (E/ECE324 -
E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.1/Add.12);  
(d) UN/ECE Regulation No. 13 -H, Uniform provisions concerning  
the approval of passenger cars with regard to braking (E/ECE324 -
E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev. 2/Add.12H);  
(e) UN/ECE Regulation No. 78, Uniform provisions concerning the approval  
of vehicles of category L with regard to braking (E/ECE/324 -
E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.1/Add.77);  
(f) Federal Motor Vehicle  Safety Standard No. 105, Hydraulic Brake Systems;  
(g) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 122, Motorcycle Brake Systems;  
(h) Federal Motor Vehicle  Safety Standard No. 135, Passenger Car Brake Systems;  
(i) Australian Design Rule 31, Hydraulic Brake Systems for Passenger Cars;  
(j) Australian Design Rule 33, Brake Systems for Motorcycles and Mopeds;  
(k) Australian Design Rule 35, Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems;  
(l) Technical Standard for  Passenger Motor Vehicle Braking Systems (Japan);  
(m) Technical Standard for Two  Wheeled Vehicle Brake Systems (Japan).  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  The purpose of the revised Rule is to reduce the number of deaths and 
serious injuries for motorcyclists, by providing for improved braking standards on 
motorcycles entering the New Zealand fleet.; Protection of human health or safety  
8. Relevant documents:   
• Existing Land Transport Rule: Light -vehicle Brakes: 
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/rules/docs/light -vehicle -brakes -as-
1-July-2015.pdf  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Minister to sign on or before 30 August 2019. These dates 
are indicative only and may be changed.  
Proposed date of entry into force : 1 November 2019 ; These dates are indicative only 
and may be changed.  
10. Final date for comments:  10 May 2019 ; The domestic consultation period will run from 
7 March 2019 until 12 April 2019.  However the Ministry will receive comments from WTO 
members until 10 May 2019.  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/about -us/consultations/land -transport -rule-light-vehicle -
brakes -2019