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.

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.

Agenda items include approval of the agenda and minutes of the previous meeting, feedback and status from GRSP-79, Joint closing meeting in Paris, and WP.29, Y-category Regulatory framework New for N₁, Y-category Pedestrian Protection UN Reg 127, UN Regulation No. 42, UN Regulation No. 134 Y-category exclusion, and any other business. Dates for next meetings are 4th September and 5th October with further meetings in November and December under consideration.

Proposal to amend para. 6.1.5. to state that sensors, cameras, radar devices, etc. being part of driver assist systems and automated driving systems may become damaged, disoriented or broken due to an impact as long as basic braking and steering performance remain intact. The amendment enables application of UN R42 to vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System.

A new UN Regulation is being drafted for N₁vehicles of category Y (vehicles equipped with an automated driving system, not capable of manual driving exceeding 6 km/h, and not designed to carry occupants). The draft incorporates crash safety requirements from UN R94, UN R95, UN R137, and UN R153. Draft version 5 adds provisions for simplified approval procedures for previously approved vehicles, references UN R137 for vehicles between 2,500 and 3,500 kg, and clarifies B pillar references. Open issues include confirming non-applicability of lateral collision partial tests and clarifying which simplified procedures are permitted.

Y-category vehicles are equipped with an Automated Driving System and not designed to carry occupants. They may develop aggressive front structures that could harm passenger cars in accidents. The proposal introduces the Occupant Load Criterium (OLC), derived from velocity-time graphs in crash tests, as a compatibility assessment criterion. OLC multiplied by vehicle mass indicates impact aggressivity. Data from ODB tests show OLC values range from approximately 22 to 35 g across various vehicles. The proposal suggests using a maximum OLC × mass value to prevent excessively aggressive vehicle front structures while keeping current passenger car designs unaffected.

A decision was taken in mid-2025 to start drafting a new regulation collecting relevant safety requirements for Category Y vehicles. UN R127 on pedestrian safety performance could be directly amended to include Y-category vehicles instead of including requirements in a new regulation. TF AVRS agreed to amend UN R127 to include Y-category vehicles. A draft regulation (v4) is available proposing supplement 5 to the 04 series of amendments, including amendment suggestions in scope to determine exemptions for Y-category vehicles based on front structural geometry dimensions rather than R-point criteria.

Minutes of the 26th meeting of GRSP TF on AVRS held on Tuesday 22nd of May 2026 online. The agenda and previous minutes were approved. Status reports were received from other groups, with a closing meeting on ADS fitness expected in June. GRSP reviewed consistency of ADS fitness work and UN Regulation 137 sensor updates. EC presented updates on UN Regulation N₁Y and UN Regulation 127 pedestrian protection. OICA raised discussion on frontal test procedures in Annex 3 referencing UN Regulation No. 94 for vehicles with maximum mass not exceeding 2,500 kg and UN Regulation No. 137 for vehicles with maximum mass exceeding 2,500 kg and not exceeding 3,500 kg. No comments were received on passive safety requirements for ADS steering systems. Future meetings are scheduled for 1–5 June, 1st July, 4th September, 5th October, 27th November, 1st December, and 7–11 December.

Proposal to establish uniform provisions concerning approval of vehicles of category N₁Y regarding fuel system integrity protection, electrical shock protection, and vehicle crash compatibility in frontal, rear-end, and lateral collisions, modify frontal impact test procedures to reference either UN R94 or UN R137 at manufacturer choice in agreement with the Technical Service, add Crash Compatibility Criterion and Crash Compatibility Value definitions and requirements not exceeding 40 g and 100 g × tonne respectively, modify lateral impact test provisions to reference UN R95 without specific side pole impact applicability, modify rear-end impact test procedures to reference UN R153, add post-crash hydrogen fuel system integrity assessment procedures, add provisions allowing vehicles derived from compliant category X vehicles to be deemed compliant, add electrolyte leakage and REESS retention requirements for electric powertrains, permit vehicles with maximum design speed not exceeding impact speed to be tested at their maximum design speed with compliance to post-impact requirements, and establish extension procedures for vehicles derived from previously approved types.

Proposal to insert a new paragraph 0 introducing supplements 4 and 5 to the 04 series of amendments extending the Regulation to vehicles of categories X and Y, amend paragraph 1 to establish scope and exemptions for categories X and Y, amend paragraphs 2.8, 2.22, 2.29, 2.32, 2.44, and 2.45 to define test procedures and reference areas for vehicles without drivers or manual controls, and amend paragraph 5.3.1.2 to clarify automatic return of ARHSS when vehicle speed exceeds 25 km/h or while an ADS feature is active.

Proposal for a new UN Regulation on crashworthiness of vehicles of category N₁Y with regard to protection of fuel system integrity, protection against electrical shock, and vehicle crash compatibility in the event of frontal, rear-end, and lateral collision. The proposal would establish frontal impact requirements based on UN R94 or UN R137 at manufacturer’s choice in agreement with the designated technical service, lateral impact requirements based on UN R95 without side pole impact test, and rear impact requirements based on UN R153 without modification. Vehicles with maximum design speed not exceeding the applicable impact speed shall be tested at their maximum design speed and comply with post-impact requirements. Fuel system integrity, electrical shock protection from rechargeable energy storage systems, and crash compatibility requirements apply. Crash Compatibility Criterion shall not exceed 40 g and Crash Compatibility Value shall not exceed 100 g×tonne, determined according to Annex 3. Vehicles of category N₁Y derived from category X vehicles complying with UN R94 (05 series amendments supplement 2), UN R95 (06 series amendments supplement 2), UN R137 (04 series amendments supplement 1), and UN R153 (01 series amendments supplement 1) are deemed to meet all requirements.

The agenda includes Y-category regulatory framework new for N₁, Y-category pedestrian protection UN R127, UN R42 from informal document GRSP-79-11, UN R134 Y-category exclusion, any other business, and dates for next meetings on 5 October, November week 47, 24 November or 1 December, and 7-11 December at GRSP-80.

Proposal to insert a new Introduction section containing provisions for vehicles of categories X and Y, amend the Scope to include vehicles of categories X and Y with specific exemptions based on the “R” point or front structural geometry, amend definitions of “Bonnet rear reference line,” “Front structure,” “Normal ride attitude,” “Side reference line,” “Windscreen test area,” and “Cowl monitoring area” to address vehicles of categories X and Y, and amend paragraph 5.3.1.2. regarding Automated Riding Height Suspension System engagement conditions. Changes compared to document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/53 are indicated by red markup.

Minutes from the 27th meeting of GRSP TF on AVRS held Wednesday 1st July 2026 online. The agenda and previous minutes were approved. EC reported from June WP.29-199 TF Expert FADS and presented WP.29-199-19. GRSP TF AVRS must complete crashworthiness regulation for Category Y and Pedestrian Protection R127, GRE TF AVSR ADS marker lamps, GRE IWG EMC refinements for ADS in 10R08, and GRPE TF AVRS amendments to UN Regulation No. 154. Regarding amendment proposals to UN Regulations Nos. 35 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/104) and 68 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/146), AC.1 postponed voting to the next session due to required quorum not being attained. EC presented updates on Y-category regulatory framework for N₁, Y-category Pedestrian Protection UN Reg 127, and UN Regulation No. 42 and 134. Next meetings scheduled 4th September, 5th October, week 4, 24th November or 1st December, and 7–11 December.

Proposal, updated with in session comments, to amend Footnote 1 to reference document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8, amend para. 6.1.5. to clarify that the exemption for sensors being part of driver assistance systems does not apply to automated driving systems, remove non-exhaustive examples of sensors, replace “disoriented” with “misaligned”, and align terminology to “driver assistance systems”. The exemption for driver assistance systems is retained because their failure does not prevent manual vehicle operation, whereas automated driving systems’ perception equipment forms part of the driving function, and damage to sensing devices may prevent vehicle operation contrary to Regulation No. 42’s objective.

Updated document with in-session comments.

Draft text for a new UN Regulation on crashworthiness of vehicles of category N₁Y, including comments from France:

• Amend paragraphs 0.2.1., 2.4., 5.1., 5.2., 6.3.1., and Annex 3,
• Insert paragraphs 2.5., 2.6., 5.2.4., 5.2.4.1., 5.2.4.2., 5.2.4.3., 6.3.3., and 6.3.3.1.,
• Update annexes with test procedures for frontal, lateral, and rear-end collision and hydrogen fuel system integrity assessment post-crash for vehicles of category N₁Y, to ensure protection of fuel system integrity, protection against electrical shock from rechargeable energy storage systems, and vehicle crash compatibility in frontal, rear-end, and lateral collisions.

This Regulation establishes uniform provisions for crashworthiness approval of N₁Y vehicles regarding fuel system integrity, electrical shock protection, and crash compatibility during frontal, rear, and lateral collisions. The provisions for frontal impact are based on UN R94 or UN R137 per manufacturer choice with Technical Service agreement; lateral impact provisions are based on UN R95; rear impact provisions are based on UN R153. Vehicles with maximum design speeds not exceeding applicable impact speeds shall be tested at their maximum design speed and comply with post-impact requirements. Crash Compatibility Criterion shall not exceed 40–45 g and Crash Compatibility Value shall not exceed 100–120 g×tonne. For vehicles derived from types already approved under UN R94, UN R137, UN R95, or UN R153, previous test results may be used if mass increases do not exceed 8 per cent.

Proposal to:

• insert a new paragraph 0 introducing the amendment to account for vehicles of categories X and Y, stating that the Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls and is being extended to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls, that in manual driving mode no special provisions apply to vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System other than vehicles of categories X and Y, and that vehicles of category Y are exempted based on front structure geometry rather than driver “R” point position
• amend paragraph 1.2 to provide that for vehicles of category X, the “R” point of the most forward passenger seat shall be taken instead of the R-point of the driver’s seat
• amend paragraph 1.3 to provide that for vehicles of category X, the “R” point of the most forward passenger seat shall be taken instead of the R-point of the driver’s seat
• amend paragraph 1.4 to delete the statement that this Regulation does not apply to vehicles of category Y and instead provide that vehicles of category N1Y where a specified equation is fulfilled are exempted
• amend paragraph 2.8 to revise the definition of “Bonnet rear reference line” and provide that for vehicles of category Y without a windscreen, the BRRL is defined as the geometric trace of the most rearward points of contact between the sphere and the front structure as it is traversed across the vehicle’s rearward edge
• amend paragraph 2.22 to provide that for vehicles of categories X and Y, automated driving sensors that are essential for the vehicle’s operation and cannot be stowed during driving should be considered part of the “Front structure”
• amend paragraph 2.29 to provide that for vehicles of category X, two passenger masses are placed on the front seats instead of driver and one passenger masses, and for vehicles of category Y, no occupant mass is added
• amend paragraph 2.32 to provide that for vehicles of category Y where A-pillars are non-existent, side reference lines also define the lateral limits for the total test area
• amend paragraph 2.44 to provide that for vehicles of category Y where a windscreen is non-existent, the windscreen test area is defined as the “Upper structure test area” with specified front, rear, and side boundaries
• amend paragraph 2.45 to provide that for vehicles of category Y where a windscreen is non-existent, the cowl monitoring area is bound in the rear by the front of the “Upper structure test area”
• amend paragraph 5.3.1.2 to provide that ARHSS shall automatically return to normal ride height while an ADS feature is active

Proposal to insert a new introduction section defining application to vehicles of categories X and Y equipped with an Automated Driving System, to amend para. 6.1.5. to replace “driver assist systems” with “driver assistance systems”, to remove the non-exhaustive list “cameras, radar devices, etc.”, to replace “disoriented” with “misaligned”, and to add provisions clarifying that the exemption for sensor damage does not apply to automated driving systems unless the Automated Driving System performance of the Designed Driving Task is not affected.