Press Release: UN legislation for cars: 50 years of international automotive cooperation

Global technical harmonisation is a key factor in strengthening the competitiveness of the European automotive industry world-wide. The more we regulate at UN/ECE level, the better for European industry and the less EU legislation is needed. The 1958 Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) on technical harmonisation in the automotive sector celebrated its 50th birthday. The Agreement has resulted in some 126 regulations on issues relating to safety, environmental protection, energy efficiency and anti-theft performances of motor vehicles. For example, the UN/ECE agreement on electronic stability control enabled manufacturers to develop only one vehicle design for the world market. In addition to avoiding divergent legislations and duplication of administrative procedures, one single standard at UN level also contributes to simplifying EU legislation. For example, the CARS 21 Group[1] identified 38 EC directives which could be replaced with international UNECE regulations.

UNECE: Transport Division: Vehicle regulations http://www.unece.org/trans/main/welcwp29.htm

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