This document is background material for the IWG EqOP workshop on equity issues in frontal crashes relevant for restraint systems scheduled for November 2026 in Tokyo. The workshop aims to draft conceptual ideas for a procedure to assess robustness by complementing current specific requirements based on ATDs using a more holistic approach. Robustness is defined as the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants of variation in body height, weight, shape, and seating position in real-world relevant collisions by maintaining structural integrity and effective safety systems. The reading list addresses field data, real-world needs, characteristics of frontal collisions, current regulations including UN R16, UN R94, UN R137, human body model readiness, injury prediction strategies, and regulatory solutions including Euro NCAP approaches, informed by GRSP-78-07.

Guidance request on restraint system with airbag submitted by Kingdom of the Netherlands. Question whether a restraint system approved according to UN R16 shall bear the word AIRBAG in the approval mark when an airbag is part of the restraint system. The Regulation seems not to require it. Discussion whether it is desirable and whether the Regulation must be updated. Proposal to amend the Regulation to include AIRBAG in the approval mark in case an airbag is part of a restraint system. Alternatively, it could be decided to leave the situation as is and see the addition of AIRBAG as optional.

Proposal to enable application to vehicles of category X (vehicles of category Y are not in scope). 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. Amendments address steering control contact requirements and modify occupant references.