This paper reports on the status of work of the International Harmonised Research Activities (IHRA) Side Impact Working Group (SIWG) as at its 17th meeting prior to the 18th ESV conference in Nagoya in May 2003. This includes decisions made and the reasons for them. A final report to the IHRA Steering Committee will be presented just before ESV including the test procedures to be evaluated between 2003 and 2005.