Independent ADR review could cut red tape for new car imports to Australia

[Pelican Press 0]

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Independent ADR review could cut red tape for new car imports to Australia

The *********** government has commissioned an independent review of *********** Design Rules (ADRs), following criticism from carmakers they’re too onerous.

It has engaged Dr Warren Mundy to conduct the review, which will look at ways to improve the process of having a vehicle approved for ***** in Australia.

ADRs are national regulations vehicles must comply with in order to be sold here, and cover everything from lighting to seatbelts and ****** protection.

It isn’t Dr Mundy’s first independent review, having released his findings on the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) earlier this year. He has also served as both an executive and board member for organisations like Melbourne Airport.

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Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert

The government is inviting members of the public

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on the ADR Harmonisation Review 2024-25 between now and Friday, January 24, 2025.

It notes it’s “not the function of this review to reconsider the content of individual ADRs”.

The review will look at how closely our ADRs align with international standards, and how these can be better aligned.

It will also look at the implications of streamlining the process of ADR harmonisation, as well as the risks and opportunities presented by taking ******* Nations standards and ‘converting’ them into ADRs.

Additionally, it will look at “factors relevant to determining appropriate ADR implementation timeframes”.

Camera IconADR 98/00 and ADR 98/01 mandate autonomous emergency braking Credit: CarExpert

The review will “seek to identify practical changes to current harmonisation practices that that will reduce the regulatory and administrative burden of providing road vehicles to the *********** market and remove any unnecessary productivity barriers, without compromising road safety objectives”.

The government notes that Dr Mundy is particularly interested in feedback from stakeholders about how the process can be improved to reduce cost and the amount of time it takes for a vehicle to be introduced here, and how much ADRs impact productivity and innovation as well as the choice of vehicles in our market.

“Dr Mundy will bring a fresh perspective to regulatory frameworks that have traditionally served not only safety and emissions goals but also protected local manufacturing,” said Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) CEO Matt Hobbs.

“We commend the Government for committing to an independent review of the ADRs which will contribute to a competitive and safe market for all consumers.

Camera IconKilled by ADR 85/00: Lexus IS Credit: CarExpert

“We fully support this review as an opportunity to address outdated regulatory barriers that hinder the adoption of new technologies, especially electric vehicles.

“Aligning *********** standards with international best practices will create a more competitive market and accelerate our nation’s transition to a sustainable future.”

ADRs can often be more stringent than regulations in markets like the *** and US.

For example, the introduction of ADR 85/00 – Pole Side Impact Performance in 2021 saw myriad vehicles discontinued despite being allowed to continue on ***** in other major markets.

Camera IconKilled by ADR 85/00: Mitsubishi Mirage Credit: CarExpert

This included vehicles from Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Alpine.

Unsurprisingly, two of those brands have been particularly vocal about the ongoing impact of ADRs.

Nissan has

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for top-tether child seat anchor points for all second-row seats – ADR 34/02 – as the reason its electric

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SUV has taken so long to be released here.

This requirement also led Honda to simply introduce the current

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as a four-seater instead of investing in retooling the rear-seat anchor point configuration.

Camera IconHonda HR-V Credit: CarExpert

“What I would challenge is that because you are a CBU [completely built unit] market with the government, help us compress this homologation,” said Nissan’s senior vice president of region and chief planning officer Francois Bailly earlier this year.

“If a car is homologated let’s say in Europe, which is a very safe market or us. Can we reduce the time? There’s no value for the customer [to modify cars for *********** Design Rules].

“So can we compress that? That’s what I would debate or challenge.”

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that by aligning our regulations with those of major markets like the *** or Japan, the type approval timeframe could be slashed from 20 months to just six.

Camera IconNissan Ariya Credit: CarExpert

Mitsubishi subsequently

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to reform its Type Approval and ADR processes “to assist delivery” of vehicles it wants to bring in to meet the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) coming into effect next year.

It argues it can take anywhere from 18-24 months for a vehicle to go through the *********** Type Approval process and be ticked off for ***** in our market – not ideal when the new legislation comes into effect on January 1, 2025, with penalties coming into effect from July 1.

Vehicles can’t be shipped until the approval has been issued by the government.

Camera IconMitsubishi eK X Credit: CarExpert

Mitsubishi is calling for all ADRs to be fully harmonised with UN regulations, or for Australia to at least accept equivalent standards in other “advanced markets” such as Japan, the ********* Union and the ***, which it says would have no impact on vehicle safety.

It blamed local regulations for dooming the eK X electric kei car for our market, arguing it would have been “uneconomic” to introduce it here.

It also says ADR 69/00, which covers full frontal impact occupant protection, could be harmonised with ********* front collision requirements, and has taken exception to ADR 61/03 (the requirement of an Australia-specific VIN label) and ADR 81/02 (the requirement of a windscreen-mounted fuel consumption label).

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