A National Regulator Perspective on a Future Model for Vehicle Standards

ComVec – 12

Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland

Presentation by:Angus Draheim, Assistant Project DirectorNational Heavy Vehicle Project Office Wednesday 6 June 2012

Milestones and Agreements2 July 2009 COAG agreed to introduce a single regulator to administer the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) 19 August 2011 COAG signed an Inter-governmental Agreement (IGA) defining the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) arrangements (WA Government considering further)January 2013 corporate NHVR entity establsihedJuly 2013 partial implementation of key functionsDecember 2016 Productivity Commission to review economic impact.

The Present Environmenteach state and territory administers legislation and regulations for the operation of heavy vehicles

heavy vehicle operators have 8 separate regulatory regimes to comply with — 6 state and 2 territory regimes, with the Commonwealth also offering an optional scheme

major differences exist between state and territory laws and regulations

inconsistency is stifling industry productivity.

NHVR Reform Objectives

The objectives of the NHVR reforms include:– improve productivity, safety and efficiency– reduce compliance burden on business– improve competitiveness– make it easier for industry to do business across

borders.

Single national regulator and single body of national law.

Require all states and territories to pass legislation.

Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL)

HVNL will consolidate earlier model legislation approved by the Australian Transport Commission (ATC)

HVNL will cover:– registration and plates– access– mass and loading– fatigue– vehicle standards– compliance and enforcement.

NHVR Project Office DirectionHigh level direction to NHVR Project Office and overall work program, reflects COAG, ATC and SCOT decisions

Project Office strategy includes:– develop a robust platform for NHVR to commence

operation in January 2013 based on realising benefits of HVNL, RIS and policy objectives of COAG

– define the key elements of that operational platform – platform must enable the NHVR to effectively and

efficiently continue to refine and enhance a national regulatory system.

Platform Approachcorporate systems and processes to enable NHVR to operate

national strategies and frameworks for access, compliance and enforcement, vehicle standards, registration and plates

national IT systems for access and registration and plates transactions (still being scoped – minimalist approach)

national service delivery standards, policies and procedures for access, compliance and enforcement, vehicle standards, registration and plates

Platform Approachnational data exchange, monitoring and analysis for compliance and enforcement

improved fatigue schemes (Advanced Fatigue Management)

Service Agreement framework between NHVR and jurisdictions for delivery of regulatory services

resolve high impact policy matters contained in the HVNL and RIS

appropriate IGA and funding arrangements

robust network of connected stakeholders

effective collaborative working relationships with states and territories and industry.

Vision for Vehicle StandardsNHVR will develop and implement an integrated national approach to heavy vehicle standards management across Australia

provide frameworks that will enable industry to interact with jurisdictions and service providers in a seamless, consistent and timely manner

provide consistent decision making through the provision of agreed national guidelines and tools in the areas of inspection, assessment and accreditation

mutual recognition across state and territory borders

an important tenet of the NHVR is that current heavy vehicle inspection regimes within jurisdictions will continue to be implemented in the same way into the foreseeable future.

Present Vehicle Standards IssuesVehicle Standards are, in the main, nationally consistentmutual recognition between jurisdictions is not being achieved due to five key factors:– the individual systems and components that are

inspected– the qualifications of personnel (private and

government) undertaking inspections– the audit regime monitoring the quality of inspections

and those conducting them– inspection periods (annual and periodic/ random)– legal issues in regards to duty of care.

NHVR Vehicle Standards Management

Consists of 3 distinct, but interdependent, projects:

National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Standards

Accreditation Framework

Systems and processes to audit services and facilities.

In each of these 3 areas the NHVR will develop national policy, procedures, forms, manuals, guidelines and training.

Vehicle Standards Management (cont.)

The scope of these projects may include the following:

nationally consistent heavy vehicle inspections for the purposes of new registration or re-registration including:– vehicle safety– compliance with vehicle standards– determining vehicle characteristics (including mass

and dimensions) – vehicle identity.

Vehicle Standards Management (cont.)functions related to the written-off vehicle register including:– validating the quality of repairs– determining the source of parts– verifying vehicle identity.

certification of vehicle modifications

clearance of defect notices

inspection of public transport vehicles

Vehicle Standards Management (cont.)

alternative compliance schemes, such as TruckSafe/ TruckCareassessments of performance based standards (PBS) vehiclesassessment and application of consistent exemption conditions, appeals, reviews of decisions and dispute resolution, and assessments or service provider accreditation.The implementation of these projects will lead to a more consistent application of heavy vehicle standards throughout Australia.

Current Status to 1 January 2013

Harmonisation of key vehicle inspection standards: – aimed at ensuring that by commencement all

jurisdictions will inspect key the same things to the same standards

– achieve mutual recognition of inspections between jurisdictions.

NHVR to engage jurisdictions on a one-on-one basis.

1 January 2013 to July 2013

further harmonisation of vehicle inspection standards

NHVR issuing guidelines and exemptions from heavy vehicle standards

national information and training program in vehicle standards

national collection, storage and analysis of vehicle standards data.

Next Stepscollaborative approach in partnership with jurisdictions and industry to reach consensus on the way forward

co-ordination between the project access, compliance and enforcement, vehicle standards, registration and plates domains to ensure an integrated approach to service delivery

minimalist impact on jurisdiction systems and processes

deliver tools and guidelines to enhance heavy vehicle standards management for both jurisdictions and industry.

Questions & Contacts

Any questions or further clarification on the presentation.

Contact:Daniel ElkinsSenior Manager Vehicle Standards(07) 3253 4388daniel.z.elkins@tmr.qld.gov.au