Safer vehicles through international harmonisation
The European Commission has today agreed with international partners on new internationally harmonised rules on Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) and Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS) for commercial vehicles. EU legislation already sets out dates for the obligatory introduction of these safety enhancing technologies in the EU. To promote safety internationally and help the European automotive industry export trade, it is important that these systems are based on globally harmonised standards. At the United Nations’ World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, the Commission actively contributed to these and other measures, including the adoption of rules for a new generation of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) called "i-Size" and rules covering the safety of batteries fitted in electric vehicles. The inclusion of these measures in the United Nations’ International Agreement on vehicle construction will ensure that the same requirements are adopted not only by Europe, but also by other countries such as Japan, Russia and South Korea, hence reducing market entry barriers and facilitating trade between major automotive markets. European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "This is a further step to simplify our legislation and promote international harmonisation that facilitates access by European manufacturers to non- EU markets. We are improving road safety and simplifying legislation, all on the basis of internationally agreed standards. This is how the Cars 2020 Action Plan, presented a week ago, works in practice”. Source: EU Commission