Document ADS-19-26.

Proposal to establish UN Regulation on Category Y vehicle crash safety covering frontal, rear-end, and lateral collision protection. The regulation specifies requirements for fuel system integrity, electrical shock protection, and crash compatibility for vehicles without occupants. Requirements address liquid fuel leakage limits, hydrogen storage system integrity, rechargeable energy storage system protection, and electrical safety post-impact. Testing procedures reference existing UN Regulations 94, 95, 137, and 153. Approval processes, conformity procedures, and technical specifications are detailed, including test methods for frontal, lateral, and rear-end impacts with measurement requirements and alternative procedure provisions.

The agenda for the 25th meeting of GRSP TF on AVRS scheduled for Tuesday 28th of April 2026 (online meeting) from 09:00 to 11:00 CET includes feedback from other meetings, Y-category regulatory framework, Y-category pedestrian protection under UN R127, and feedback on UN R12. The next meeting is proposed for 22nd May (Friday), 9-11h, with future meetings scheduled for 1-5 June (GRSP-79), 1st July, 7th September, 5th October, and 3rd November, with 24th November or 1st December as backup dates.

Proposal to insert a new paragraph 0 introducing amendments for vehicles of categories X and Y, and to amend paragraphs 1, 1 footnote 1, 2.8, 2.22, 2.27, 2.29, and 5.3.1.2 of UN R127. The regulation is amended to extend application to vehicles without driver and without manual driving controls, including vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System. Vehicles of category Y are not in scope. Modifications address the bonnet rear reference line definition, front structure including automated driving sensors for categories X and Y, mass in running order, normal ride attitude, and air ride height suspension engagement conditions.

Proposal to establish a new UN Regulation for vehicles of category N₁ regarding protection of fuel system integrity, protection against electrical shock, and vehicle crash compatibility in frontal, rear-end, and lateral collisions. The Regulation integrates provisions from UN R94, UN R95, UN R137, and UN R153. For frontal impact, vehicles not exceeding 2,500 kg follow UN R94; vehicles exceeding 2,500 kg but not exceeding 3,500 kg follow UN R137. Lateral impact provisions derive from UN R95, excluding the side pole impact test. Rear-end impact provisions derive from UN R153 without modification. Specifications address fuel leakage limits, hydrogen storage system integrity, electrical shock protection from rechargeable energy storage systems, and energy absorption to prevent aggressive vehicle behavior in collisions.

The 24th meeting of the GRSP Task Force on Automated Vehicle Regulatory Scheme (AVRS) was held on 2 April 2026. The agenda and previous minutes were approved. GRPE Regulation 154 is delayed; GRSG is progressing well. An AVRS Expert meeting on harmonizing terminology was held jointly with other groups. The EC screened GRBP AVRS documents; GEE screening is next. The TF discussed Y-category regulatory framework changes, including fuel leakage requirements, mass definitions, and cargo terminology. UN Regulation 127 for pedestrian protection will be updated for N₁Y categories. Discussions addressed T0 synchronization discrepancies in UN Reg 17 Annex 14 and FR comments on UN R12 ADS amendments. The next meeting is 28 April 2026.

A new general safety regulation for vehicles of category Y, which are not designed to carry occupants, adds provisions requiring repetition of tests described in Annex 3 and Annex 4 when modifications affect the general form of vehicle structure or increase mass by more than eight per cent. For modifications affecting only interior fittings or mass increases not exceeding eight per cent, a simplified test in accordance with UN R94 in its 05 series of amendments or a partial test shall be carried out. The regulation incorporates requirements from UN R94, UN R95, UN R137, and UN R153, and proposes exempting vehicles with maximum design speed not exceeding 50 and 56 km/h from impact test procedures while requiring compliance with post-impact requirements.

A decision was taken in mid-2025 to start drafting a new regulation for category Y vehicles. TF AVRS agreed to amend UN R127 to include Y-category vehicles. Supplement 5 to the 04 series of amendments proposes: for vehicles of category Y, dimensions based on front structural geometry shall determine exemptions ensuring equivalence to R-point criteria; Bonnet Rear Reference Line is defined for category Y vehicles without a windscreen; Front structure definition includes outer structures and, for category X and Y, automated driving sensors essential for vehicle operation; Normal ride altitude testing shall be at Unladen Vehicle Mass.

UN R21 requires the owner’s manual to contain clear instructions for power-operated window/roof panel/partition systems, including explanation of possible consequences, use of driver-controlled switches, and WARNING messages indicating dangers to children and requiring special care with remote closing systems. UN R173 references to Annex 9, paragraph 3 are unnecessary as this paragraph no longer exists in R173 but is now in UN R16 S10 Annex. UN R94 Annex 3 requires a line break.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.