COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2022/2200

of 8 November 2022

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on proposals for modifications to UN regulations Nos 0, 13, 24, 34, 43, 48, 67, 83, 90, 118, 125, 127, 129, 149, 151, 158, 159, 161, 162 and 163, on a proposal for a new UN regulation on Vulnerable Road Users in Front and Side Close Proximity, on a proposal for a new UN Regulation on the Approval of Motor Vehicles with Regard to their Direct Vision, and on a proposal for an amendment to M.R.1

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) By Council Decision 97/836/EC (1), the Union acceded to 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 to and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions (the ‘Revised 1958 Agreement’). The Revised 1958 Agreement entered into force on 24 March 1998.

(2) By Council Decision 2000/125/EC (2), the Union acceded to the Agreement concerning the establishing of global technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles (the ‘Parallel Agreement’). The Parallel Agreement entered into force on 15 February 2000.

(3) Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) lays down the administrative provisions and technical requirements for type-approval and the placing on the market of all new vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units. That Regulation incorporates regulations adopted under the Revised 1958 Agreement (‘UN regulations’) in the EU type-approval system, either as requirements for type-approval or as alternatives to Union legislation.

(4) Pursuant to Article 1 of the Revised 1958 Agreement and Article 6 of the Parallel Agreement, the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (‘UNECE WP.29’) may adopt proposals for modifications to UN regulations, UN global technical regulations (‘UN GTRs’) and UN resolutions, and proposals for new UN regulations, UN GTRs and UN resolutions on the approval of vehicles. Moreover, pursuant to those provisions, UNECE WP.29 may adopt proposals for authorisations to develop amendments to UN GTRs or to develop new UN GTRs, and may adopt proposals for the extension of mandates for UN GTRs.

(5) UNECE WP.29, during the 188th session of the World Forum to be held from 14 to 16 November 2022, may adopt: proposals for modifications to UN regulations Nos 0, 13, 24, 34, 43, 48, 67, 83, 90, 118, 125, 127, 129, 149, 151, 158, 159, 161, 162 and 163; a proposal for a new UN regulation on vulnerable road users in front and side close proximity; a proposal for a new UN regulation on the approval of motor vehicles with regard to their direct vision; and a proposal for an amendment to UN mutual resolution No 1.

(6) The UN regulations will be binding on the Union. Together with the UN resolution, they will decisively influence the content of Union law in the field of vehicle type-approval. Therefore, it is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in UNECE WP.29 on the adoption of those proposals.

(7) To reflect experience and technical developments, the requirements for certain aspects or features covered by UN regulations Nos 0, 13, 24, 34, 43, 48, 67, 83, 90, 118, 125, 127, 129, 149, 151, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163 and UN mutual resolution No 1 need to be amended or supplemented.

(8) To reflect technical progress, improve vehicle safety and reduce the vulnerability of road users, a new UN regulation on vulnerable road users in front and side close proximity and a new UN regulation on the approval of motor vehicles with regard to their direct vision need to be adopted,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the 188th session of the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations to be held from 14 to 16 November 2022 shall be to vote in favour of the proposals listed in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 8 November 2022. For the Council The President Z. STANJURA

(1) Council Decision 97/836/EC of 27 November 1997 with a view to accession by the European Community to 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 to and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions (‘Revised 1958 Agreement’) (OJ L 346, 17.12.1997, p. 78).

(2) Council Decision 2000/125/EC of 31 January 2000 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement concerning the establishing of global technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles (‘Parallel Agreement’) (OJ L 35, 10.2.2000, p. 12).

(3) Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC (OJ L 151, 14.6.2018, p. 1).