The 17th session of the Children Left in Vehicles informal working group met online on 28 May 2026 to finalise the draft UN Regulation for buses and coaches for presentation at the 79th GRSP session in June. The group agreed to retain the title and scope structure, remove Automated Driving System from definitions, retain Vehicle Master Control Switch wording, include Special Purpose Vehicles, remove the first sentence of paragraph 5.1, replace SOS Morse code signalling requirements with existing hazard warning lights combined with the horn, remove optional requirements from paragraph 5.4.4.6, remove Figure 2 and paragraphs 6.3.7 to 6.4.2, remove Section 11 Transitional Provisions, and remove Annex 2.

The agenda includes feedback from the June GRSP session on the submitted draft UN Regulation, next progression of work for light vehicle drafting and consideration of a September face-to-face meeting.

IWG CLIV Phase 2 addresses development of a UN Regulation for buses and coaches. The 13th through 17th sessions, held between virtual and in-person meetings from March to May 2026, focused on drafting the bus UN Regulation, refining text on scope, definitions, visual signals, and transitional provisions. Feedback from GRE and GRSG identified scope clarity issues and potential amendments to UN R48. Formal submission of a UN Regulation for buses is anticipated at the 80th GRSP session, with feedback requested before 10 June 2026, and subsequent drafting of a UN Regulation for light vehicles is planned to commence in the second half of 2026.

Proposal to establish uniform provisions concerning the approval of M₂ and M₃ vehicles to assist in the prevention of children being left inside. This regulation applies to vehicles of categories M₂ and M₃ class B and III designed or equipped primarily for the carriage of children, or special purpose vehicles of categories M₂ and M₃ class B and III designed specifically for the carriage of children. Vehicles shall be equipped with a physical inspection system which satisfies the requirements, including that the system shall be engaged when the vehicle master control switch is turned off and shall generate an external visual and audible warning if not disarmed within three minutes for buses not exceeding 22 passenger seats, or within five minutes for buses exceeding 22 passenger seats. The audible warning shall be greater than 60 dB(A).

The CLIV IWG held its 16th online session on 23 April 2026. The group discussed amending the SOS Morse code definition to clarify it as a continuous sequence of three dots, three dashes, and three dots. Delegates agreed the scope for M₂ and M₃ category vehicles requires clearer definition to exclude camper vans and caravans and limit application to vehicles designed or equipped primarily for child carriage. Homework tasks include reviewing UN Regulation definitions for vehicle master control switches, proposing wording for operational isolation of physical inspection systems, and researching paragraph 5.4.4.6.2. The September in-person meeting location remains under consideration, with Paris confirmed as a possible option pending final decision by end of July.

The session agenda includes discussion of the current draft UN Regulation for buses and coaches including homework feedback, feedback on the proposal in GRE from the South Korea delegate, preparation for the 1–5 June 2026 GRSP meeting, and any other business.

From 1 July 2013 all new School Buses in Australia must be fitted with a Child Safety Alarm system hardwired from the vehicle ignition circuit and powered from the vehicle battery. The system must activate after no more than five minutes of operation or immediately once the passenger door has been opened or closed, cannot be overridden by the operator, and can only be deactivated after the disabling switch is actioned. The disabling switch must be located inside the vehicle behind the rearmost passenger seats requiring the driver to walk to the rear to deactivate it. An audible alarm must sound when the engine ignition switch is turned off and the disabling switch has not been actioned, and must be audible from up to 10 metres distance.

KATRI reported on the 131st GRSG session. OICA raised concern that the scope of the draft regulation is not clear, noting that vehicles of categories M₂ or M₃ class B and III designed or equipped primarily for the carriage of children equals all of M₂ or M₃ vehicles since there is always a possibility of carrying children, and stated it is now checking TF STBC documents. CIVD stated that vehicles used for camping need to be exempted from scope, noting this is reasonable but questioning how. Denso asked whether warning method of visual and audible is different between buses and light vehicles, noting this is done, and stated it seems possible to add new regulation number in UN R48.

This paper is to inform relevant GRs of the ongoing activities within the CLIV informal group and the potential influence on the work under the responsibilities of the GRs. CLIV is in Phase 2 developing a new UN Regulation on Children Left in Vehicles for vehicle categories M₁, M₂, M₃ and N₁. The draft regulation includes requirements for visual and audible external warnings upon detecting a CLIV event. The IWG prioritises development for buses first, then light vehicles. The draft regulation aims to mitigate risk of serious or fatal injuries to children left in vehicles. Upon detecting a CLIV event, visual and audible external warnings will be generated using an SOS morse code pattern to distinguish from existing warnings.

The CLIV informal group held its 15th session in Seoul from 24–27 March 2026, focusing on drafting performance requirements for buses and coaches. Japan proposed a five-minute inspection duration for drivers to confirm all children have disembarked; however, OICA suggested linking inspection time to passenger capacity. On Day 3, Japan presented a revised position: buses with 25 or more passenger seats require five minutes before a CLIV warning event occurs, while buses with fewer than 25 passenger seats require three minutes. All delegates supported this approach. The IWG agreed to draft papers for submission to affected GRs concerning external audible and visual warning signal proposals and intends to submit the draft UN Regulation to GRSP for informal consideration at the June 2026 GRSP session.

The group will receive comments on the draft UN Regulation for buses and coaches, covering definition order, operation isolation of the physical inspection system, vehicle master control switch definition, transitional provisions, type approval tests, and paragraph 5.4.4.6.2. The agenda includes feedback on a proposal made to GRSG and discussion of the September meeting location.

CLIV is developing a new UN Regulation for vehicle categories M1, M2, M3, and N1 in Phase 2. The draft regulation requires visual and audible external warnings upon detection of a child left in a vehicle. Visual warnings use direction indicator lamps flashing in SOS morse code pattern for at least 15 seconds, then off for no more than 30 seconds, repeating for at least 10 minutes. Audible warnings must exceed 60dB(A) following the same timing pattern. The IWG requests guidance on potential amendments to UN R48, UN R28, and UN R165.

Proposal to establish uniform provisions for approval of vehicles of categories M₂ or M₃ designed or equipped primarily for carriage of children, requiring physical inspection systems to prevent child occupants being left inside buses and coaches after journey completion. Physical inspection systems shall be engaged when vehicle master control switch is turned off and disarmed via inspection confirmation device located behind rearmost seat. Systems must generate external visual and audible warnings within specified timeframes if not disarmed, with warnings cycling for at least 10 minutes at greater than 60 dB(A) unless system is disarmed or vehicle master control switch is turned on.

Draft text after Day 4 of the informal group session.

Draft text pursuant to the third day of the CLIV informal group 15th session.

Outcomes pursuant to Day 2 of the CLIV IWG session.

Outcomes pursuant to Day 1 of the CLIV IWG session.