This document is background material for the IWG EqOP workshop on equity issues in frontal crashes relevant for restraint systems scheduled for November 2026 in Tokyo. The workshop aims to draft conceptual ideas for a procedure to assess robustness by complementing current specific requirements based on ATDs using a more holistic approach. Robustness is defined as the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants of variation in body height, weight, shape, and seating position in real-world relevant collisions by maintaining structural integrity and effective safety systems. The reading list addresses field data, real-world needs, characteristics of frontal collisions, current regulations including UN R16, UN R94, UN R137, human body model readiness, injury prediction strategies, and regulatory solutions including Euro NCAP approaches, informed by GRSP-78-07.
The workshop on frontal impact assessment in Tokyo, 4-6 November 2026, will address robustness, defined as the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants of varying body height, weight, shape, and seating position in real-world relevant collisions by maintaining structural integrity and effective safety systems so that the risk of injury is minimized for all types of people. The agenda includes review of relevant regulations, clarification of roles of ATDs and HBMs, and conceptual ideas for future regulatory upgrades addressing brain injury, soft tissue neck injury, lower leg injury, thorax injury, submarining, abdominal loading, and lower severity collisions. The workshop will develop an HBM-based robustness assessment matrix to complement current ATD-based requirements.
The 98th EVE IWG session held virtually on July 15, 2026, adopted the agenda and discussed Phase 4 priorities for UN GTR 22, including Minimum Performance Requirements, State of Certified Range, conditioning cycles, and mutual recognition. Japan proposed sharing Part C verification results with all Contracting Parties. The IWG reviewed UN GTR 21 and UN GTR 25 status, covering MPRs, energy throughput, virtual distance verification, and battery replacement provisions. OICA will present their MPR position at EVE 100 and share Part C verification results at EVE 99. Japan will consult on hosting 2027 meetings targeting the week of February 15th.
Proposal to revise provisions and formulas in GTR 22 Annex 3, paras. 2.1.2. and 3.1.2., UN R154-04 Annex C1, Appendix 2, paras. 2.1.2. and 3.1.2., and UN R83-09 Appendix 5, para. 3.1.2. to make UBEcertified values positive and select the maximum absolute value. The document EVE-63-11e addresses concerns that when the interpolation method is applied under GTR No. 15 / UN R154, UBEcertified values become negative, contrary to regulatory intent. Revisions ensure UBEcertified is determined by selecting the maximum absolute value amongst vehicle H, vehicle L, and vehicle M where applicable.
The agenda addresses UN GTR 22, UN GTR 21, and UN GTR 25, with discussions on fuel cell vehicle proposals, open items, verification results, alternative test methods, and battery replacement provisions. A reminder notes that UN GTR 25 amendment 2 must be submitted to GRPE-96 by December 2026.
Working draft text to introduce procedures for real-driving testing.