Lok Sabha Question No. 2413 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: UNWP 29 Agreement, 1958
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2413 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st JULY, 2017

## UNWP 29 AGREEMENT, 1958

## 2413. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  Ministry's  stand  on  joining  the  UN  WP  29  Agreement  1958  on harmonization of global technical regulations;
- (b) the details of technical and commercial issues which are to be considered prior to joining  the  agreement  and  whether  they  will  be  altered  in  case  the  Government decides to sign the agreement and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of advantages and disadvantages to India once the country enters into the agreement;
- (d) whether India is considering the inclusion of Global Technical Standards into its regulatory system and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the steps which are being taken to be aligned with global standards?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a): Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has informed that it has reviewed India's position  regarding  the  United  Nations  Economic  Commission  for  Europe  (UNECE) 1958  'Agreement  Concerning  the  Adoption  of  Uniform  Technical  Prescriptions  for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be fitted and/or be used on Wheeled Vehicles and the Conditions for Reciprocal Recognition of Approvals Granted on the Basis of these Prescriptions', with the stake holders. Possible benefits for India from this Agreement and concerns were examined.

(b): UN ECE 1958 Agreement has been recently revised and would come into force later in 2017.  Once the revised 1958 Agreement is established, further detailed study would be  needed  for  the  techno  commercial  impact,  obligations  and  rights  of  the  Agreement involving  the  stakeholders.  Some  of  the  important  areas  required  to  be  looked  into  to before joining 1958 Agreement are India's transportation needs; availability of affordable suitable technology to make progress in safe and green road transportation; infrastructure requirements related to test facilities for mandatory testing and certification of vehicles, vehicle systems and components etc.

(c): Mutual acceptance of approval under 1958 agreement would give better opportunity for  exports  for  India.  However,  at  this  moment  India  is  net  importer  in  automotive sector. Exports by Indian manufactures are mainly to other developing regions and not substantially to those countries who are signatories to 1958 agreement.

(d):  Even  if  India  is  not  a  signatory  to  UN  ECE  1958  Agreement,  UN  Regulations, which are formulated under this agreement, form strong basis of automotive regulatory requirements  in  India.  Similarly,  under  UN  ECE  1998  Agreement,  Global  Technical Regulation  (GTRs)  on  vehicles  are  formulated.  India  is  signatory  to  this  particular agreement  (1998  Agreement)  since  2006  and  India  is  committed  for  transposition  of GTRs  into  national  regulations  after  examining  their  relevance  and  suitability  in  the Indian context.

(e) :  In view of answer to (d) above, the question does not arise.

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