In accordance with the CARS 21 Communication of 07.02.2007, the Commission issues an annual working paper on the major automotive-related regulatory developments and activities at the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (“WP.29”) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (“UNECE”).

This Commission staff working document is the seventh annual report on these activities aiming at informing the European Parliament, the Council and stakeholders about the progress achieved by WP.29 and of the compliance observed by the European Commission with regards to the political orientations set out in the relevant European Union legislation.

The UNECE was established by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1947 with the main goal of promoting regional economic integration through dialogue and cooperation on economic and sectoral issues. It provides analysis and policy advice to governments, in consultation with key stakeholders, as well as a framework for norms, standards and conventions to facilitate international cooperation for various sectors.

The WP.29 is a permanent working party within the UNECE’s Inland Transport Committee that administers three Global Agreements on motor vehicles (1958, 1997 and 1998 Agreements)3 and offers a unique framework for globally harmonised regulations on motor vehicles. The benefits of such harmonised regulations are tangible in road safety, environmental protection and trade. The UNECE brings together 57 countries across the five continents.

Given that the EU is a Contracting Party to the 1958 and 1998 Agreements, the present document focuses on progress made in 2013 under those two Agreements.