1. Discussion of OBD2 by “Correspondence Group” Japan’s proposal

2. Background
According to the usual process of enforcement of domestic regulations, Japan should introduce the OBD Ⅱ test procedure developed by EPPR in “2019”.
In order to meet this schedule, technical discussion on OBD Ⅱ and adoption of the Informal Document by GRPE should be completed in “2018”. (as explained at the last EPPR at IDIADA)
However, judging from the current situation of EPPR progress, it is expected to take much more time to examine OBD Ⅱ issues, so Japan would like to make every effort to accelerate the discussion.

3. Japan’s proposal
Japan recognizes that the discussion among the experts is necessary to develop GTR of OBD Ⅱ. So Japan understands that establishing TF is one of the measures to accelerate the discussion.
Still, with regard to method of making a TF, Japan is concerned that the deliberation may be delayed due to the following concerns.
1. It is quite difficult for the experts to hold face-to-face discussion frequently.
2. Even when the TF submits the examination result to the upper body(IWG), the proposal is re-considered by the CPs at EPPR meeting, so it may happen to send back the proposal to the TF for further consideration depending on the consideration at IWG.
To avoid such concerns and accelerate the discussion more effectively, Japan would like to modify the idea of TF, and propose a framework of “Correspondence Group” to drive the discussion.

4. The idea of Correspondence Group (CG)
Under CG, the discussion is done on the basis as below.
1. The coordinator of CG (i.e. the vice-chair of EPPR) sets a deadline and requests comments on each issue to “all CPs”.
2. Each CP considers the item with their domestic experts to prepare the position as the “CP (including the domestic experts)” and submits the comments to the coordinator.
3. Vice-chair who is coordinator of CG organizes comments submitted by CPs, and clarifies open points. If necessary, vice-chair asks the CPs again for more comments and repeats this process.
4. Vice-chair reports the results of CG’s examination to EPPR IWG.
This procedure makes it possible to reflect the opinions of all the experts, and the positions from all CPs are already reflected in the CG report, so it is not necessary to re-discuss in the EPPR IWG level.
Correspondence Group
Identify the discussion items
Collect the comments and proposals, clarify open points
Upload the output document from CG
CP 1
Discussion with experts
Coordinator
(Vice Chair)
Coordinator
(Vice Chair)
Secretary
CP ２
Discussion with experts
After sorting out the comments from each CPs, re-discussion on open points where necessary
CP 3
・・・

5. The Role of Vice-chair (CG coordinator)
The role of the CG coordinator is to collect and organize the opinions from “CPs”, so this role should be held by the secretariat of EPPR. However, considering the current workload, it is too burdensome for the secretariat to bear this work.
So Japan proposes to newly assign the vice-chair of this IWG, who works as the coordinator of CG in order to accelerate the discussion of OBD Ⅱ.
As it is Japan that has an urgent need to accelerate this discussion, Japan is willing to take the vice-chairmanship and make every effort to facilitate the discussion by CG.
Japan believes that this procedure is the fastest way to proceed with the OBD Ⅱ discussion.
2018
2019
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
○F2F　
○F2F　
○F2F　
○F2F　
○F2F　 CG CG CG CG