HVIA’s ADR Review Working Group held a webinar last week to gather member input into its submission to the Federal Government’s long-awaited review of the Australian Design Rules.
On December 2, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King announced the appointment of Dr Warren Mundy to head the review into how ADRs are aligned with international standards and to identify opportunities for improvement and for the removal of unnecessary barriers.
The full terms of reference of the review are available to read here. Broadly, the review aims to identify:
> Ways to reduce cost and improve timeliness;
> Better support productivity and innovation in the vehicle and component manufacturing, road transport and other relevant industry sectors;
> Improved choice and price outcomes for consumers; and
> Support for the transition to net zero.
HVIA’s submission – due to be lodged by this Friday’s deadline – includes suggestions to:
> Streamline the ADR revision and approval process;
> Make the Vehicle Standards Consultative Forum (VSCF) more effective;
> Provide mechanisms for industry to publicly record issues with ADRs or specific clauses;
> Avoid the regulation of items that do not need to be regulated;
> Amend ADRs to facilitate the introduction of decarbonised trailers;
> Streamline the type approval process; and
> Outsource aspects of the type approval system to industry to minimise the Department’s workload.
HVIA is seeking feedback from workshop attendees before it finalises its submission due this Friday, January 24.
HVIA’s Policy and Legislation Adviser Greg Forbes says, “It is always difficult when governments release reports in December and want feedback in January, but we had a tremendous response to the webinar last week with 38 members attending the meeting and providing us with some great feedback.
“The vehicle type approval process and ADRs are vital to our members and streamlining the process and reducing the regulatory burden makes this review important for many members.”
To provide any last-minute input contact Greg Forbes at g.forbes@hvia.asn.au or 0437 923 755 by COB today, Wednesday, January 22.