The 25th session of the GRSP Task Force on Automated Vehicles Regulatory Screening (AVRS) was held online on 28 April 2026. The Task Force discussed regulatory frameworks for Y-category vehicles, including mass compatibility and crash test exceptions, and reviewed UN Regulation 127 on pedestrian protection for Y-category vehicles. The Task Force also addressed UN Regulation 12 feedback and identified minor mistakes in three proposals: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/63, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/65, and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/71, which require corrections before submission to WP.29.

TF-AVRS submitted a draft new Y-category Passive Safety Regulation to GRSP-79 in June 2026. The regulation addresses fuel system integrity, electrical shock protection, and crash compatibility for frontal, rear-end, and lateral collisions. The Task Force eliminated the R point problem, passenger compartment references, and A and B pillar designations, harmonised mass definitions, and consolidated numbering and cross-references. Open items include determining additional requirements, specific vehicle measurements, and finalising Annex elements. Subsequent informal documents are planned for GRSP-79, with working documents for GRSP-80.

UN R127 amendment proposals include defining pedestrian protection requirements for category Y vehicles. Scope exemptions for category Y vehicles shall use front structural geometry to determine exemptions, ensuring equivalence to R-point criteria. Definitions require adjustments including Bonnet Rear Reference Line for vehicles without windscreens, Front structure definition to include automated driving sensors, Windscreen test area redefined as Upper structure test area where windscreens are non-existent, and supporting definitions for Side reference line and Cowl monitoring area. Testing shall occur at Unladen Vehicle Mass.

Proposal to insert a new para. 0 introducing amendments for vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System, amend para. 1 to apply the Regulation to vehicles of categories M₁ and N₁ with specified exemptions and provisions for categories X and Y, amend the footnote to para. 1, amend para. 2.8 defining bonnet rear reference line with extended procedures for vehicles of category Y, amend para. 2.22 to include automated driving sensors in front structure for categories X and Y, amend para. 2.27 regarding mass in running order, amend para. 2.29 on normal ride attitude for categories X and Y, amend para. 2.32 on side reference line for category Y, amend para. 2.44 on windscreen test area for category Y without windscreen, amend para. 2.45 on cowl monitoring area, and amend para. 5.3.1.2 on Adaptive Ride Height Suspension engagement at low speeds.

A new general safety regulation for vehicles of category Y is being drafted to collect relevant safety requirements. Vehicles of category Y with a maximum design speed not exceeding the impact speed specified in applicable frontal impact tests shall be exempted from frontal, lateral, and rear-end impact test procedures but must comply with applicable post-impact requirements concerning fuel leakage, hydrogen leakage, electrical safety, REESS electrolyte leakage, REESS retention, and fire or explosion hazards. The draft incorporates requirements from UN R94, UN R95, UN R137, and UN R153. Open issues include crash compatibility requirements for low-speed vehicles, applicability of partial tests, and defining front and rear structures for Y-category vehicles without occupants.

Proposal to establish uniform provisions concerning approval of vehicles of category N₁ with regard to protection of fuel system integrity, protection against electrical shock, and vehicle crash compatibility in frontal, rear-end, and lateral collisions. The Regulation applies to vehicles of category N₁. Frontal impact provisions are based on UN R94 and UN R137 depending on vehicle mass. Lateral impact provisions are based on UN R95 without the side pole impact test. Rear-end impact provisions are based on UN R153. Vehicles must comply with fuel leakage limits, hydrogen storage system integrity requirements, and electrical safety standards for rechargeable energy storage systems. Post-crash hydrogen leakage shall not exceed 118 NL per minute, gas concentration shall not exceed 4.0 per cent for hydrogen, and containers shall remain attached at minimum one point. Electric power trains must meet protection against electrical shock, isolation resistance, and fire hazard requirements within 60 minutes post-impact. Conformity of production shall be verified on a statistically controlled random basis.

The 26th meeting of GRSP TF on AVRS is scheduled for Tuesday 22nd of May 2026 as an online meeting from 09:00 to 11:00 CEST. The agenda includes approval of the agenda and minutes, feedback from other meetings, consistency check of GRSP ADS fitness work, Y-category regulatory framework for N₁, Y-category pedestrian protection under UN R127, feedback on passive safety requirements for new steering equipment types, any other business, and dates for next meetings.

GRBP, GRE, GRPE, GRSG, GRSP, and GRVA are ready with working documents on non-ADS regulation amendments. TF AVRS is working on ADS marker lamps. UNECE published 93 amendment proposals regarding ADS fitness and ADS UNR and GTR for the 199th session of WP.29 in June 2026. UN R168.00 is tabled for the 200th session of WP.29. UN R154 former series is postponed to GRPE-95 in October 2026. Y category passive safety regulation is planned for GRSP-80 in December 2026.