NHVR Flag Major Changes To Tipper Code Update

This week saw another successful and productive round of review of industry feedback from HVIA, VACC and the CVIAA on the finalisation of the J4 code in Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6).

The team, together with the NHVR, jointly discussed a wide range of major and minor edits to the code.

Specifically, several major points were flagged, including most significantly the removal of the stability section in its entirety, with a view that it be re-introduced in some form in a future version of VSB6, following the eventual development of a public, online stability calculator as part of an NHVR-funded program.

Another key change discussed is clarification that the J4 code only applies to ‘traditional’ tipping body vehicles and will not immediately apply to other types of vehicles that feature tipping bodies (i.e. tankers, street sweepers, waste collection vehicles and specialised construction vehicles).

HVIA members are advised that these changes are not certain, but have been flagged by the NHVR as possibilities, and are supported unanimously by the representatives of each industry association.

These changes are also expected to alleviate other concerns from industry, such as the number of available Authorised Vehicle Examiners (AVE) to complete J4 work, and AVE liability, as the scope of the J4 code will be reduced and its requirements simplified.

Members will have the chance to review the finalised code once it is publicly released, as per the timelines explained below.

A tentative implementation process has been proposed, on which the NHVR is seeking feedback from industry, via the industry associations.

Stage 1 – Release. The public release of the finalised J4 code. Body builders and certifiers can review the code in full and prepare to comply with it.

Stage 2 – Activation. The J4 code is ‘activated’ in that AVEs can commence submitting J4 certification packages to jurisdictions for review and approval.

Stage 3 – Commencement. All new vehicles captured under the J4 code must comply with it in order to be an approved modification.

Potential start dates for each of the stages are a Stage 1 date of July 1, 2024, followed by Stage 2 on September 1, 2024 (three months later), and Stage 3 on March 1, 2025 (six months later). These dates largely avoid end of financial year, and end of calendar year activities.

HVIA seeks feedback from its members on all the above, and specifically the proposed implementation process and start dates – please contact Adam Ritzinger at a.ritzinger@hvia.asn.au.