Distr.

GENERAL

TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2000/4

4 February 2000

ENGLISH

Original: ENGLISH and

FRENCH

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

INLAND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE

Working Party on the Construction of Vehicles

Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG)

(Seventy-eighth session, 10-14 April 2000,

agenda item 5.)

PROPOSALS FOR DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO REGULATION No. 43

(Safety glazing materials)

Transmitted by the Expert from Belgium

Note: The text reproduced below was prepared by the expert from Belgium and has the purpose of adding specific provisions concerning the fitting of glazing to vehicles, the newest idea being the addition of a lower limit for the light transmittance for glazing behind the B pillar. This document is based on a document distributed without a symbol (informal document No. 5) during the seventy-seventh session of GRSG (TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/56, para. 40).

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Note: This document is distributed to the Experts on General Safety Provisions only.

GE.00-

A.	PROPOSAL

Paragraph 5.5.2., amend to read:

"5.5.2.	V:	In the case of a glazing other than a windscreen whose regular light transmittance according to paragraph 9.1.2. of annex 3 is lower than 70 per cent (adding "LT < 30 per cent" to the marking if the regular light transmittance is lower than 30 per cent)."

Annex 3, paragraph 9.1.4., amend to read:

"9.1.4.	Interpretation of results

The regular light transmittance according to paragraph 9.1.2. in the case of windscreens shall not be less than 75 per cent."

Insert a new annex 21, to read:

"Annex 21

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE FITTING

OF GLAZING TO VEHICLES

1.	General provision

Windscreens and safety glazing other than windscreens shall be fitted in such a way that, despite the stresses to which the vehicle is submitted under normal operating conditions, they remain in position and continue to afford visibility and safety to the occupants of the vehicle.

2.	Specific provisions applicable to vehicles of the categories M and N

2.1.	Windscreens

The windscreen shall bear the appropriate component type-approval mark specified in paragraph 5.4. of the Regulation, followed by one of the additional symbols provided for in paragraph 5.5.1.

2.1.1.	The windscreen must be type-approved for the vehicle type on which it is fitted.

2.1.2.	The windscreen shall be correctly fitted with reference to the vehicle 'R' point. 1/

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1/	At the manufacturer's proposal, subject to the agreement of the technical service, the verification of this provision may be carried out either on the vehicle or on drawings.

2.2.	Safety glazing other than windscreens

The safety glazing shall bear the appropriate type-approval mark as specified in paragraph 5.4. of the Regulation.

2.2.1.	Safety glazing requisite for the driver's forward field of vision.

Safety glazing through which the driver's forward direct field of vision of 180 is obtained shall not bear the additional symbol provided for in paragraph 5.5.2. of the Regulation.

2.2.2.	Other safety glazing

The safety glazing not concerned by paragraph 2.1.1. and the rear window in the case that the rearward field of vision is not obtained by means of the interior mirror, may bear the additional symbol provided for in paragraph 5.5.2. of the Regulation; besides, the regular light transmittance shall be higher than

30 per cent in the transparent area of the glazing.

The latter condition, related to the light transmittance, shall, however, not apply to sun roofs.

2.2.3.	Rear safety glazing

Rear safety glazing in the case that the rearward field of vision is obtained by means of the interior mirror must present a regular light transmittance higher than 70 per cent. This condition is also applicable to any partition glazing located in the rearward field of vision.

3.	Specific provisions applicable to vehicles of the category O

The glazing fitted to vehicles in category O shall bear the approval mark as specified in paragraph 5.4. of the Regulation, followed when appropriate by the symbol provided for in

paragraph 5.5.2."

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B.	JUSTIFICATION

According to Belgian experience, the number of glazing with a very low light transmittance is increasing. The purpose of the proposal is to limit at 30 per cent the minimum level of the light transmittance for the glazing behind the B pillar (except for rear safety glazing if the rearward field of vision is obtained by means of the interior mirror).

The main objectives of the proposal are:

(i)	to allow the drivers following vehicles fitted with tinted glazing, to have the possibility to look through the safety glazing of the preceding vehicle. They will get therefore a better forward visibility.

(ii)	to increase the public security. In the case of controls by the police or authorities, the occupants of a vehicle might be identified through the glazing.

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