This project is phase II of the UNRSF Safer and Cleaner Used Vehicles for Africa and Asia, and proposes to roll out the project to two additional sub-regions in Africa, Southern and Central Africa, as well as two countries in Asia, advocating for adherence to consistent minimum safety standards of used vehicles by exporting and importing countries.

Used vehicles, while playing an integral part in improving mobility in many developing and transitional countries, pose a major global challenge to road safety and a shift to low and zero-carbon mobility. Every year approximately 1.3 million people die because of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability because of their injury (WHO, 2021).

Safe vehicles play a critical role in averting crashes and reducing the chance of serious injury. Regulations to ensure safer used vehicles, by both exporting and importing countries, would potentially save many lives. These include requiring vehicle manufacturers to ensure that all exported vehicles fulfil minimum crash protection requirements for vehicle occupants and pedestrians, and that safety belts are fitted for all seating positions. Without these basic standards, the risk of traffic injuries to vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users, is considerably increased.

Since 2020, UNEP and UNECE, together with other partners, namely the UNECA, AU, FIA and CITA, have been addressing this lack of regulations in Africa through the UNRSF Safer and Cleaner Used Vehicles for Africa Project.

Phase I of these project-initiated discussions towards a consensus by exporting and importing countries that only quality used vehicles will be exported or imported into Africa. The first phase of the project focused on West and Eastern Africa, and supported discussions among used vehicles importing and exporting countries. Major successes of the project included the support to the 15 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries to draft regulations that all vehicles to be imported, both new and used, and petrol and diesel, will need to comply with a minimum of EURO 4/IV vehicle emissions standards. These were adopted for implementation from 1 January 2021. Countries are still in the process of translating these into national standards. Similarly, the project supported the 5 East Africa Community (EAC) countries with the adoption of EURO 4/IV vehicle emissions standard regulations in 2022.

The project targets the adoption of EURO 4/IV minimum standards and the additional requirement of a valid road worthiness certificate for all used vehicles imported into these two sub-regions/countries.

With the exception of South Africa, which does not allow the import of used vehicles and has a EURO 2/II equivalent vehicle standard, all the other countries in Southern and Central Africa sub-regions do not have a EURO-based vehicle emission standard and do not require a valid road worthiness certificate at the time of import.

In Asia the project proposes to support Cambodia and Mongolia to import safer and cleaner used vehicles. Through UNEP support, Cambodia adopted EURO 4/IV equivalent vehicle standards in January 2022. The project will support the full implementation of these standards and the inclusion of vehicle safety considerations. Mongolia has EURO 2/II equivalent vehicle standards with an intention to progress to EURO 5/IV standards. The country will be supported to develop an implementation action plan/roadmap towards EURO 5/V vehicle standards and include minimum vehicle safety requirements for used vehicle imports.