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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.