This Guidance and Interpretation Document (GID), based on GRVA/2026/3 as amended by GRVA-24-29 and WP.29-198-09, supports implementation of proposed UN Global Technical Regulation and UN Regulation on Automated Driving Systems. The GID, structured in table format with regulatory text and explanatory guidance with examples, facilitates interpretation of ADS requirements when applying them to particular vehicles or vehicle types. The document addresses ADS safety, system descriptions, operational design domains, performance in nominal, critical, and failure situations, interactions between ADS and users, manufacturer safety management systems, test environments including simulation credibility frameworks, safety cases, post-deployment safety monitoring, and compliance assessments including confirmatory testing. Materials will be restructured and refined for submission to GRVA’s September 2026 session.

Proposal to insert new para. 3.1.1. and 3.1.2. requiring manufacturers to provide information to approval authorities prior to application and upon extension of type approval; insert new para. 3.2.2. requiring manufacturers to provide summaries of safety definitions, driver safety levels, traffic rules assessment, and testing for each territory where ALKS can be active; and insert new paras. 4.6. to 4.6.6. establishing procedures for approvals covering multiple territories, including notification of receiving approval authorities at least 30 days before approval, review periods, and dispute resolution under the 1958 Agreement. OICA and CLEPA do not support mandatory pre-announcement but would support sharing Safe Operation documentation and lists of compliant territories during the approval process.

The EV/HFCV Retrofit Systems IWG held three meetings since the last GRVA session and has compiled requirements for Electrical Safety (UN R100), Braking (UN R13/R13H), Cybersecurity (UN R155), and EMC (UN R10) with participation of respective GRs experts. Regulation drafting has started. Next activities include continuation of discussion on requirements, addressing net power and electric consumption determination, family and parent definition, and provisions for PTI, with regulation draft for EV retrofit to be delivered as informal document to the next GRPE session in October.

Proposal to amend para. 137 to describe the seventeenth workshop organized in Bangkok, Thailand, together with the twentieth session of the IWG on ADS, where participants reviewed updates to the GID document sections prepared by the OPIs, resulting in a revised version of the GID document considered mature enough for presentation at the twenty-fifth GRVA session, with agreement that remaining open items should be finalized at the July 2026 workshop in Brussels, Belgium, and several minor amendments to the draft GTR/UN-R text derived from the Bangkok meeting discussions modified the text of the draft GTR/UN-R.

Proposal to amend Annex 8, para. 3.4.1. to require the vehicle manufacturer to supplement its statement with an explanation of how the chosen strategy ensures system objectives do not prejudice safe operation of systems referred to and a description of the validation plan, and to require the designated technical service to perform an assessment of the manufacturer’s explanation and validation plan suitability and may perform or require tests as specified in para. 4., and amend Annex 8, para. 3.4.4. to require documentation supported by analysis showing system behaviour on fault occurrence including faults with other systems involved in achieving system function, to establish and maintain analytical approaches open for inspection by the designated technical service at type approval, and to require the designated technical service to perform assessment including inspection of safety approach at concept and system levels and validation plans and results.

GRVA-25 agenda includes adoption of agenda; briefing on WP.29 March 2026 session highlights; resumption of Artificial Intelligence discussions; review of draft UN Global Technical Regulation and draft UN Regulation on Automated Driving Systems; resumption of UN Regulation No. 157 considerations regarding market introduction notification and remedial action upload to DETA database; consideration of Information Sharing for Scenario-Based Assessment informal working group proposal; briefing on cyber security and over-the-air issues; resumption of Driver-Control Assistance Systems, steering equipment, and Advanced Emergency Braking and Blind Spot Information Systems considerations; review of Electronic Stability Control and Electrical Transmission Braking Systems proposals; resumption of e-trailer approval amendments to UN Regulation No. 13; consideration of motorcycle braking and replacement braking parts proposals; briefing on national activities; status report on International Whole Vehicle Type Approval revision activities; resumption of connected and automated vehicles sustainability discussions; and adoption of proposed decisions list.

Monday 18 May 2026 will cover adoption of the agenda, highlights of the March 2026 WP.29 session, artificial intelligence in vehicles, and connected vehicles including cyber security, software updates, data protection, and data communication. Tuesday 19 May will address automated and autonomous connected vehicles, including IWG on ADS, GRVA workshops, EDR/DSSAD deliverables, and UN R157. Wednesday 20 May will cover driver control assistance systems, UN R79, acceleration control, emergency lane keeping, and advanced emergency braking. Thursday 21 May will address advanced driver assistance systems covering UN Regulations Nos. 13, 13-H, 139, 140 and UN GTR No. 8, motorcycle braking, and UN R90. Friday 22 May will cover revision 3 to the 1958 Agreement and other business.

The ADS informal working group status report to GRVA documents progress since the 24th GRVA session in January 2026. The group accepted proposals to make minor amendments to GTR and UNR, and accepted proposals to amend GTR and UNR to introduce DSSAD provisions. Working documents WP.29/2026/139 (GTR) and WP.29/2026/137 (UNR) were submitted for WP.29’s 199th session. For the 25th GRVA session, GRVA-25-21 and GRVA-25-22 were submitted as informal documents to amend WP.29/2026/137 and WP.29/2026/139. GRVA seeks a 3-year extension of the IWG-ADS mandate, with revised Terms of Reference to be prepared for GRVA-26 in September 2026.

Task Force FADS status report to GRVA presents final fitness information for GRVA Regulations relevant for automated vehicles. R157 (ALKS), R171 (DCAS), R178 (ELKS), R13, R13-H, R79, R89, R90, R130, R131, R139, R140, and R152 have been amended or are receiving amendments to clarify interactions with ADS features or account for vehicles of categories X and Y. R175, GTR3, and GTR8 require no amendments or formal amendment sponsorship. GRVA proposals for 13 working documents are expected at the 199th WP.29 session in June 2026, including WP.29/2026/85, WP.29/2026/86, WP.29/2026/87, WP.29/2026/79, WP.29/2026/80, WP.29/2026/81, WP.29/2026/82, WP.29/2026/83, WP.29/2026/168, and WP.29/2026/84. Task Force FADS mandate will conclude at the end of June 2026.

The IWG on EDR/DSSAD, chaired by the USA, the Netherlands, and Japan, develops proposals for Event Data Recorders and for Data Storage Systems for Automated Driving per ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/34. Completed work includes EDR requirements under UN R160 and amendments, EDR for heavy-duty vehicles under UN R169, and DSSAD requirements under UN R157. Current activities include DSSAD guidance document revision and EDR Step 2 and Step 3 development scheduled for March 2027 and November 2028 respectively. The DSSAD Guidance has been transferred to Annex 6 or Annex 8 of the ADS Regulation, with general requirements added to the main body.

Proposal to amend GRVA/2026/13 and the 00 and 01 series of amendments of UN Regulation No. 157, modify the Introduction to remove reference to 60 km/h maximum speed and change “override” to “deactivate”, amend para. 5.1.1. to clarify that the activated system shall be free of unreasonable risks for both vehicle occupants and other road users and shall not cause reasonably foreseeable and preventable collisions, amend para. 10.1.1. to remove reference to foot controls, amend Annex 4 para. 3.5.4. to require manufacturers to report critical incidents to the Type Approval Authority, insert new Annex 4 para. 3.5.4.1. requiring the Type Approval Authority to upload information to DETA within 14 days of receipt, and insert new Annex 7 providing guidance for data exchange via DETA in accordance with para. 3.5.4.1. of Annex 4.

Proposal to insert provisions on software identification and software updates into UN R13, UN R13-H, UN R79, UN R89, UN R130, UN R131, UN R152, UN R155, UN R156, UN R157, UN R171, UN R175, and UN R178 by adding definitions referencing Consolidated Resolution R.E.3 Annex 7, requiring manufacturers to provide Technical Services with information on hardware and software influencing performance, permitting vehicle manufacturers to apply for new approvals differentiating software versions for registered versus new vehicles, clarifying that production discontinuation does not apply when manufacturers seek approval extensions for software updates of registered vehicles, and amending communication forms to include software identification numbers and related information.

Proposal to amend UN R155 regarding cyber security assessment and approval procedures:

• Amend para. 5.3.2. to require approval authorities to notify other approval authorities of methods and criteria used to assess measures taken in accordance with the Regulation
• Insert new para. 8.2. to exclude equipment with negligible intrinsic cyber security risk from further assessment where installation does not impinge on the cyber security management system and is connected exclusively via an approved interface
• Insert new para. 8.3. to exclude standard domestic, business or industrial equipment connected only for power from further assessment where the equipment is unmodified and complies with applicable regional and national cyber security requirements
• Amend Annex 1 to include any equipment excluded from assessment pursuant to paras. 8.2. and 8.3.

Proposal to insert new Part C providing guidance on application of UN R155 to transformed vehicles. Part C defines when transformations require new approval, establishes terminology for original vehicle types, transformed vehicle types, transformations, and installations, identifies cyber-relevant transformations by evaluating impact on architecture and connection risks, addresses intrinsic cyber security risks, clarifies non-automotive equipment requirements, and specifies documentary evidence manufacturers must provide to approval authorities or technical services, including functional descriptions, connection details, software modifications, and component lists.

Presentation on electrically propelled and recuperating trailers. The document outlines communication flows between towing vehicles and e-trailers using ISO 11992-2 over ISO 7638-1, involving parameter groups EBS14 (control), EBS28 (energy/state of charge), and EBS29 (status). Key principles include the towing vehicle setting control modes and requesting torque, with trailers reporting capabilities. The document discusses support for maximum three e-axle equipped trailers due to bandwidth limitations, enabling of e-trailer control via CANopen Service Data Objects, and backward compatibility with ISO 11992-2:2014. Amendments to UN Regulation 13 are planned with target entry into force in May 2028.

Proposal to amend WP.29/2026/139 to amend para. 4.2.2.3.8.1. subparagraph (b) regarding user engagement to resume the DDT, insert new para. 5.2.1.8.1. requiring manufacturers to document simulation toolchain scope and limitations, amend para. 5.2.1.3.1. regarding manufacturer management of relevant data, amend para. 5.3.1.16. describing ADS responses to failure situations, amend para. 6.3.2.2.3. regarding scenario assessment, amend para. 6.3.3.3.1. regarding confirmatory track testing provisions, amend Annex 5 Tables 3, 4, and 5 regarding scenario specifications and risk manoeuvre conditions, and amend Annex 6 para. 5.3.1. and 5.3.2. regarding DSSAD recording requirements and intervals.

Proposal to amend ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/137 to replace placeholder text “[ADS]”, “[XXX]”, and “[number of this Regulation]” with the UN Regulation number upon adoption, amend the cross-reference in paragraph 1.2. to “7.2.3.17.”, amend paragraph 6.2.2.3.8.1. subparagraph (b) to specify gaze directed to “the” driving task relevant area, remove brackets around “7.4.” in paragraph 11.2., add a period after the number in Annex 1 paragraph 5.1., amend Annex 1 Appendix 1 paragraphs 1.4.5. and 1.4.7., renumber paragraphs 1.4.12., 1.4.12.1., and 1.4.12.2. as 1.4.11.5., 1.4.11.5.1., and 1.4.11.5.2., amend Annex 1 Appendix 2, amend Annex 7 table 5 rows 1 and 2 column 7, remove brackets in Annex 8 paragraphs 5.3.1. and 5.3.2., and insert “Mandatory” in Annex 8 table row 1 column 2.

Supporting presentation on the proposal to insert a new sub-paragraph 5.6.1.1.4.1 to exempt ACSF Category A functions intended solely to support low-speed vehicle controllability manoeuvres in off-road environments from the obstacle detection requirements of paragraph 5.6.1.1.4, provided the function operates only until 5 km/h with 1 km/h tolerance, is activated deliberately by the driver in off-road environments only, requires the driver to be in the driver’s seat with safety belt fastened, and allows the driver to retain control and override or deactivate the system at any time.

The Informal Working Group on Cyber Security and Software Updates discussed amendments to UN R155 and UN R156 for multi-stage approval, including simplified handling for low-risk devices and clarification of intrinsic cyber risk assessment. The group reviewed proposals from GRVA-25-31 and GRVA-25-32 concerning continued validity of approvals and Certificate of Compliance issuance. A Sub-Working Group was established to develop component and separate technical unit approval concepts. Pending discussion include RXSWIN application to components, STUs, and the extent of application to UN R155 and UN R156, and type-approval numbering for software updates.

Proposal to remove para. 5.2.1.2. titled “Emergency braking” and delete the corresponding justification text “Update to paragraph 5.2.1.2.” At the January 2026 GRVA, it was agreed not to proceed with an amendment proposed to para. 5.2.1.2. The current proposal GRVA/2026/21 does not reflect the discussions from the previous session of GRVA.

Proposal to develop UN GTR for both assisted and automated parking. The document presents parking product classifications in China, including assisted parking (park-in/park-out, cruising capability, remote-control variants) and automated parking systems. Current UN Regulations lack specific technical requirements, test methods, and test scenarios for parking functions. China is developing national standards GB for parking combined driver assistance systems and automated parking systems, with approval expected by end of 2026 and early 2027 respectively. The proposal suggests establishing a Task Force to study applicability of current UN Regulations to parking products, then determining whether to establish an IWG or formulate new regulations.

Proposal to amend para. 5.3.3.2. to correct a referencing error by replacing the reference to para. 5.1.4. with a reference to para. 5.3.1.1., which directly relates to mechanical parts of the steering transmission, thereby removing possible uncertainty or the need to liaise with the designated technical service or approval authority to confirm interpretation of the current text.

China supports establishing a new task force or informal working group on vehicle data security and sees the need for a dedicated UN Regulation or Global Technical Regulation. Work can begin with applicability analysis of existing regulations, gradually establishing the main framework of the standard, the scope of data management, and handling of special cases. China is ready to act as a key contributor, offering typical use cases, design questionnaires based on GB 44497 and GB 44464, delivering terms of reference with other Contracting Parties, and proposing basic framework and specific requirements by February 2028.

OICA-CLEPA-EME comments on German proposal GRVA-25-07 to require the approval authority granting UN R155 or UN R156 type approvals to use CSMS or SUMS certificates signed by the same approval authority. OICA-CLEPA-EME identify that CSMS and SUMS are Management Systems covering entire manufacturer organizations, and mandating the same approval authority for Management Systems certificates and approvals will have significant consequences for original equipment manufacturers typically using multiple approval authorities in homologation. The submission proposes keeping text unchanged to allow different approval authorities for Management Systems certificates and type approval based on voluntary acceptance, implementing wording on information exchange if different approval authorities are involved, and establishing a horizontal approach for Management Systems with mutual recognition aspects considered.

In January 2022, an M₁ passenger vehicle with a detached tyre caused its Anti-lock Braking System to activate, preventing effective braking and resulting in collision with a stationary lorry. The coroner concluded the ABS functioned as intended but created an unsafe scenario by using the fastest rotating wheel as reference speed, and recommended changes to prevent future deaths. The UK proposal to amend UN R13-H would require manufacturers to affirm that strategies to achieve system objectives will not prejudice safe operation of systems under non-fault conditions, including failures of other systems involved in achieving system function such as tyres or wheels, and that documentation be supported by analysis showing how the system will behave upon any fault with bearing on vehicle control, performance, or safety, including faults with other systems involved in achieving system function.