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Performance Based Standards – COAG Decision Regulation Impact Statement – Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure

On 7 March 2012, the National Transport Commission announced amendments to the heavy vehicle Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme. This scheme allows specially designed heavy vehicles, that can carry extra cargo or passengers, to operate on parts of the public road system. The changes follow a review in July 2009 that concluded that industry participation in the scheme had been limited due to the issues around road network access, cost of participation, inflexibility and inconsistent national implementation. To address these issues, the PBS scheme will move to a national assessment and access framework utilising the National Heavy Vehicle Law and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.  There will be an option for manufacturer self-certification and a system of modular assessment will be developed. The RIS estimates that the amendments will have a net benefit to the Australian economy over the next 20 years and allow for increased in productivity in the road transport industry. The Decision Regulation Impact Statement was prepared by the National Transport Commission and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.

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