Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 35/01 – Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems) 2005 Amendment 1
Made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989
Explanatory Statement
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Transport and
Regional Service
June 2007
CONTENTS
1. legislative context...............................................3
2. content and effect of THE AMENDMENT............................3
3. consultation arrangements.........................................3
- legislative context
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 35/01 – Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems) 2005 Amendment 1 is made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act). The Act enables the Australian Government to establish nationally uniform standards for road vehicles when they are first supplied to the market in Australia. The Act applies to such vehicles whether they are manufactured in Australia or are imported as new or second hand vehicles.
The making of the vehicle standards necessary for the Act's effective operation is provided for in section 7 which empowers the Minister to "determine vehicle standards for road vehicles or vehicle components".
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 35/01 – Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems) 2005 (ADR 35/01) was originally determined in 2005.
2. content and effect of THE AMENDMENT
2.1. Overview
The function of this vehicle standard is to ensure safe braking for commercial vehicles and large passenger vehicles under normal and emergency conditions.
This amendment allows for a transition between ADR 35/01 and the later version ADR 35/02. The changes do not affect the original intent or operation of the standard.
2.2. Changes
This amendment exempts vehicles from having to comply with an earlier version of a vehicle standard where they comply with a later version. This formalises the existing transition arrangements between earlier and later versions of the same vehicle standard. There is also a minor typographical correction.
3. consultation arrangements
3.1. General Consultation Arrangements
It has been longstanding practice to consult widely on proposed new or amended vehicle standards. For many years there has been active collaboration between the Federal and the State/Territory Governments, as well as consultation with industry and consumer groups. Much of the consultation takes place within institutional arrangements established for this purpose. The analysis and documentation prepared in a particular case, and the bodies consulted, depend on the degree of impact the new or amended standard is expected to have on industry or road users.
Depending on the nature of the proposed changes, consultation could involve the Technical Liaison Group (TLG), Transport Agencies Chief Executives (TACE), and the Australian Transport Council (ATC).
- TLG consists of representatives of government (Australian and State/Territory), the manufacturing and operational arms of the industry (including organisations such as the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Australian Trucking Association) and of representative organisations of consumers and road users (particularly through the Australian Automobile Association).
- TACE consists of the chief executives of Australian and State/Territory departments of transport and road vehicle administrations.
- ATC consists of the Australian, State/Territory and New Zealand Ministers with responsibility for transport issues.
Editorial changes and changes to correct errors are settled by agreement between the Department of Transport and Regional Services and the National Transport Commission. This process is only invoked where the amendments do not vary the intent of the vehicle standard.
New standards, or significant changes that increase the stringency of existing standards, are subject to a vote by ATC Ministers. Unless disapproved by a majority of ATC Ministers, the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, can then determine the new or amended standards, under the authority of the Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Proposals that are regarded as significant need to be supported by a Regulation Impact Statement meeting the requirements of the Office of Regulation Review as published in A Guide to Regulation.
3.2. Specific Consultation Arrangements for this Vehicle Standard
The changes are administrative in nature only and are covered by the Regulation Impact Statement for ADR 35/02, the later version of this vehicle standard. The changes do not affect the original intent or operation of the standard and so no consultation has been necessary.
Overview
The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 35/01 – Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems) 2005 Amendment 1, enacted under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, addresses the need for a seamless transition between the initial 2005 standard and its subsequent iteration, ADR 35/02. This amendment formalises the transition arrangements between earlier and later versions of the vehicle standard while ensuring that the intent and operation of the original standard remain unaffected. The primary objective of the Act is to establish nationally uniform standards for road vehicles, ensuring safety and compliance whether the vehicles are manufactured domestically or imported. The amendment introduces a formal exemption for vehicles compliant with the later version of the standard, thereby avoiding redundancy in compliance requirements and streamlining the regulatory process.
The amendment was developed through extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Federal and State/Territory Governments, industry representatives, and consumer groups. Given that the changes are administrative and do not alter the original intent or operation of the standard, no additional consultation was deemed necessary beyond the Regulation Impact Statement for ADR 35/02. This legislative refinement exemplifies the collaborative approach in establishing vehicle standards, aiming to maintain safety and regulatory efficiency in the commercial vehicle sector.
Scope and Application
The Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 35/01 – Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems) 2005 Amendment 1 is made under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989, which provides for the establishment of nationally uniform standards for road vehicles supplied to the market in Australia, whether manufactured locally or imported. This legislative framework applies to all commercial and large passenger vehicles, ensuring that they meet certain safety criteria, particularly in relation to braking systems, under both normal and emergency conditions. The Act's jurisdiction is national, extending uniformly across all states and territories. The amendment formalises transition arrangements between earlier and later versions of vehicle standards, allowing vehicles complying with a later version to be exempt from the earlier version. This amendment does not alter the original intent or operation of the standard but corrects a minor typographical error. The legislative process involves extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Technical Liaison Group, Transport Agencies Chief Executives, and the Australian Transport Council, especially for significant changes that increase the stringency of existing standards. However, this particular amendment, being administrative in nature, did not necessitate additional consultation beyond what was already covered under the Regulation Impact Statement for the later version, ADR 35/02.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Amendment pertain to the transition from Australian Design Rule 35/01 (ADR 35/01) to Australian Design Rule 35/02 (ADR 35/02). Specifically, section 2.2 of the Amendment formalises the transition arrangements between earlier and later versions of the same vehicle standard, ensuring that vehicles are not required to comply with both an earlier and a later version. This amendment also includes a minor typographical correction, as detailed in the explanatory statement. These changes are administrative in nature and do not alter the original intent or operation of the standard, which remains to ensure safe braking for commercial vehicles and large passenger vehicles under normal and emergency conditions (sections 2.1 and 2.2).
The obligations imposed by this Amendment on the parties and entities it governs include compliance with the formalised transition arrangements between ADR 35/01 and ADR 35/02. Vehicles that comply with the later version, ADR 35/02, are exempt from having to comply with the earlier version, ADR 35/01. This requirement ensures a smooth transition and avoids redundancy in compliance obligations. There are no additional obligations or requirements imposed by this Amendment beyond what is stated in the original ADR 35/01.
In terms of consequences for breach, the Amendment itself does not specify any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences. However, the overarching Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act) does provide for penalties for non-compliance with vehicle standards. Under section 21 of the Act, failure to comply with a vehicle standard can result in an offence. The maximum penalty for an individual is generally $1,320, while for a body corporate, the maximum penalty can be significantly higher, up to $6,600 for the first offence and escalating for subsequent offences. Additionally, section 22 of the Act allows for the imposition of civil penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines up to the amounts specified in the regulations, subject to any applicable maximums under state or territory laws. These penalties are intended to ensure compliance with vehicle standards and maintain road safety.