Analysis of second row occupant injuries in passenger cars using GIDAS data from 2000–2025. Second row occupants constitute approximately 11% of all car occupants and contribute approximately 9% to MAIS2+ and slightly more to MAIS3+ injured occupants. Injury severity is higher in the second row left seat. Neck injuries, particularly whiplash, are the most common low-severity injuries, while upper-body injuries are most significant across all severity levels. Head and face injuries from seat contact are the most common injury-causing mechanism at all crash severities. The document recommends load cases should include second row occupation with 5% and 50% anthropomorphic test devices.

Results from a workshop on frontal impact robustness held in Tokyo, Japan on 4-6 November 2026. The workshop established a robustness concept: the vehicle’s ability to ensure effective protection for occupants across a representative range of characteristics (taking into account variations such as differences in shape, sex, weight and age), in relevant vehicle settings, and in representative real-world collisions (up to current regulatory severity levels). Human Body Models (HBMs) are noted as a promising complementary tool for evaluating robustness alongside ATD testing. The workshop ranked injury types by priority, including brain injuries, submarining, neck, chest, abdomen, lower extremities, and rear seat row protection. An action plan was developed to address brain injuries, submarining, rear seat row assessment, and robustness assessment methodology.

Workshop on equitable occupant protection addressing frontal impact safety. The document summarizes consensus from the 2025 Graz workshop on equity issues in frontal crashes, including higher injury risks for females in lower-speed crashes and at specific injury severity levels, age-dependent fatality risk variations, and injury pattern differences across body regions. Hypotheses for equity issues include occupant physiological characteristics, seatbelt and seat interaction, airbag interaction, and varying injury tolerances with age and sex. The Tokyo workshop aims to develop conceptual ideas for assessing robustness of occupant protection across human and crash-condition variability, define robustness, identify regulatory concepts to address equity issues, establish a roadmap of regulatory solutions, and create an action plan for highest-priority issues.

Proposal to amend para. 2.12. to clarify the definition of power-operated windows, renumber para. 5.8.4.2. as 5.8.4.3., insert new para. 5.8.4.2. requiring window controls of power-operated side windows adjacent to the front seat row to be within reach and directly accessible, insert new paras. 5.8.8., 5.8.8.1., and 5.8.8.2. requiring power-operated side windows of the front seat row to remain operable in the opening direction for at least 2 minutes during vehicle submergence or automatically open within 30 seconds, with windows opening to maximum extent permitted, and insert new Annex 11 specifying submergence test procedures including container-based tests, slope-entry tests, and alternative subsystem tests.

Proposal for an updated justification section.

Proposal to amend the full vehicle test (slope-entry) facility requirements by specifying an entry slope angle of 8 +/- 2.5 degrees to the horizontal and minimum length of 3 m, and to amend the test method by specifying that for vehicles equipped with an automatic window lowering system, the windows shall automatically be lowered within 2 minutes.

Comments on the proposal to amend para. 2.12. to define ‘Power-operated windows’, renumber para. 5.8.4.2. as para. 5.8.4.3., insert new para. 5.8.4.2. requiring that controls of power-operated side windows adjacent to the front seat row shall be within reach and directly accessible without multiple actions except for deactivation of a power window lock, insert new paras. 5.8.8., 5.8.8.1., 5.8.8.2., and 5.8.8.3. requiring at least one power-operated side window of the front seat row remain operable in the opening direction by means of its control or automatically open for at least 2 minutes under specified test conditions and that the window open to maximum extent permitted by its design and construction, and insert new Annex 11 specifying submergence test procedures including container-based tests, slope-entry tests, and alternative tests to verify functioning of power-operated windows after vehicle submergence.

Agenda for the 7th meeting of Task Force EDO (Emergency Door Opening), scheduled from 9 to 11 November 2026. The agenda includes adoption of the agenda and meeting minutes, preparation of working documents for the 80th session of GRSP, discussion of amendments to UN Regulation No. 11 and UN GTR No. 1 including results of the TF Unlocking, discussion of delivered proposals, and transitional provisions. The agenda also covers amendments to UN Regulation No. 21 with discussion of delivered proposals and transitional provisions, along with other open issues, any other business, and next meetings.

Proposal to amend references to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) as document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8, insert definitions regarding Software Identification Numbers, require manufacturers to provide information on software versions and system parameters to the Technical Service for approval tests, allow vehicle manufacturers to apply for new approvals to differentiate software versions for registered and new vehicles while avoiding duplication of tests, clarify that production is not deemed discontinued when obtaining extensions for software updates, and insert additional information paragraphs in Annexes regarding software identification and updates across UN R11, UN R12, UN R14, UN R16, UN R17, UN R21, UN R94, UN R95, UN R100, UN R127, UN R134, UN R135, UN R137, UN R145, UN R153, UN R173, UN R174, and UN R184.

Meeting report of the 6th session of the Task Force on Emergency Door Opening. The group discussed amendments to UN Regulation No. 11 and UN GTR No. 1, addressing door types, vehicle master control switch terminology, main power supply definitions, backup power supply failure monitoring, intuitiveness criteria and handle marking, gripping features, owner’s manual requirements, definitions from previous sessions, power loss provisions, sliding door applicability, and locking systems. Amendments to UN Regulation No. 21 addressed vehicle submergence escape procedures, window opening mechanisms, and test facility specifications. Action items were assigned to various parties with homework deadline 2 November 2026.

Proposal to:

• Add clarification to para. 5.3.5. that compliance with maximum head deceleration is not required,
• Add new requirements to para. 5.9.1. limiting head deceleration compliance to parts qualifying as points of head contact,
• Replace ‘point of contact’ with ‘point of head contact’ throughout Annex 1 paras. 2.2., 2.3., 2.3.1. and 3.,
• Insert new para. 1.4.4. in Annex 4 specifying test procedures for contactable points not qualifying as points of head contact,
• Amend Annex 4 para. 2.1. to reference specific procedures,
• Replace ‘point of contact’ with ‘point of head contact’ in Annex 10 explanatory notes to Annex 1 para. 2.2.

Proposal to insert para. 5.8.4.2. requiring electric side window controls adjacent to the front seat row be within reach and directly accessible without multiple actions, renumber former para. 5.8.4.2. as para. 5.8.4.3., insert para. 5.8.8. requiring electric side windows of the front seat row to function for at least 2 minutes during vehicle submergence, and insert Annex 11 describing submergence test procedures including container-based and slope-entry methods.

List of documents for the eightieth session of the Working Party on Passive Safety scheduled for Geneva, 7–11 December 2026. Documents include proposals for:

• Amendment 3 to UN GTR 1,
• A new UN Regulation for M₂ and M₃ vehicles to prevent children being left inside,
• A 05 series of amendments to UN R11,
• A 02 series of amendments to UN R21,
• Supplement 4 to the 06 series of amendments to UN R22,
• A 06 series of amendments to UN R129,
• Supplement 2 to the 03 series of amendments to UN R134,
• Supplement 03 to the 01 series of amendments to UN R145,
• Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments to UN R170,
• A 02 series of amendments to UN R173,
• A new UN Regulation for category N₁ vehicles regarding fuel system integrity and crash compatibility,
• Supplement 3 to the original series of amendments to UN R42,
• Supplement 5 to the 04 series of amendments to UN R127,
• Amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21, 94, 95, 100, 127, 134, 135, 137, 153, 173, 174 and 184.

Proposal to amend UN Regulations Nos. 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21, 94, 95, 100, 127, 134, 135, 137, 153, 173, 174 and 184 to incorporate provisions related to RXSWIN in accordance with revision 8 of the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3). The amendments insert provisions regarding Software Identification Number definitions, manufacturer information requirements for approval tests, vehicle approval applications for software version differentiation, production discontinuation rules for software updates, and additional information on software identification and updates. Amendments are to enter into force in early 2028.

Proposal to:

• Amend para. 2.2.3. to clarify reference to head impact zone and knee contact area,
• Replace the reference in para. 5.1.1. from 5.1.7. to 5.10.,
• Delete paras. 5.1.7. to 5.1.7.2.,
• Amend para. 5.9.2. to allow use of annex 8 as alternative method,
• Insert new paras. 5.10. to 5.10.3. establishing optional manufacturer choice to use annex 8 to determine component contacts with different requirements depending on whether protective system prevents contacts,
• Amend annex 8 title and paras. 1., 1.1., 1.2., 1.2.1., and 2. to extend scope to knee contact area assessment using adult dummies of 5th percentile female, 50th percentile male and 95th percentile male,
• Amend annex 8 para. 4. and add new entry to annex 10.

Provisional agenda for GRSP’s eightieth session to be held 7–11 December 2026 in Geneva. The session will address UN Global Technical Regulations No. 1, 13, and 20; UN Regulations Nos. 11, 17, 21, 22, 95, 100, 127, 129, 134, 145, 170, 173, and 174; a new UN Regulation and authorization request for a GTR on children left in vehicles; collective amendments to UN Regulations affecting automated vehicles; Mutual Resolution No. 1; equitable occupant protection; and other business items including vehicle automation, software updates, airbags, child restraint systems, and bus protection.

Proposal to renumber paragraph 5.8.4.2. as paragraph 5.8.4.3., insert new paragraph 5.8.4.2. requiring controls of electric side windows adjacent to the front seat row to be within reach and directly accessible, insert new paragraphs 5.8.8. and 5.8.8.1. to 5.8.8.2. requiring electric side windows of the front seat row to function for at least 2 minutes during vehicle submergence, and insert new Annex 11 prescribing submergence test procedures including container-based test, slope-entry test, and alternative test methods to demonstrate window opening capability under water.

Proposal to establish a submergence test procedure requiring that at least one window per row of seats be capable of being fully opened after a vehicle enters water for occupant escape, with the window operable up to 2 minutes after submergence as designed by the manufacturer, defining container dimensions to accommodate the vehicle without wall or floor contact during the 2-minute period except when fully submerged, permitting open-water test sites provided they comply with test conditions while prohibiting freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and saltwater bodies, requiring the master control switch position allow window operation, specifying unladen kerb mass with measuring apparatus not changing axle reference load by more than 5 per cent, lowering the vehicle into water-filled container at horizontal angle 0–10 degrees with time zero defined as when lowering straps become slack and vehicle floats freely, requiring the vehicle remain in water for 2 minutes from time zero without floor contact until fully submerged, requiring window operation by remote system after 2 minutes with vehicle immersed, and permitting alternative subsystem tests demonstrating window opening functionality under submerged conditions.

The agenda includes adoption of meeting minutes from the 5th EDO Meeting and two intermediate sessions, documents for WP.29’s 200th session requesting authorization to amend UN GTR No. 1 and 14, transformation to IWG with Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure, amendments to UN Regulation No. 11 and No. 21, discussion of open items, and preparation of working documents for GRSP’s 80th session.

Session report of WP.29 (World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations), its Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1), Executive Committee of the 1998 Agreement (AC.3), and Administrative Committee of the 1997 Agreement (AC.4) held 23-26 June 2026 in Geneva. AC.1 voted on 92 amendments to existing UN Regulations, one corrigendum to UN Regulation No. 79, and three new UN Regulations (Nos. 184-186) on liquid hydrogen vehicle safety, automated driving systems, and tyre abrasion performance. AC.3 established UN GTR on automated driving systems and adopted corrigendum to UN GTR No. 9 and Amendment 2 to UN GTR No. 13. WP.29 extended mandates of several informal working groups and noted accession of Mongolia and Armenia to the 1958 and 1997 Agreements respectively.

Task Force EDO held an intermediate online Teams meeting on 18 June 2026. The agenda was adopted without amendments. Two informal documents had been submitted to the seventy-ninth session of GRSP. Authorization to amend GTR Nos. 1 and 14 would be submitted to November session of WP.29. Amendments to UN Regulation No. 11, UN Regulation No. 21 and GTR No. 1 would remain part of Phase 1, for consideration at December session of GRSP. The Task Force reviewed proposals concerning UN Regulation No. 100 and intuitiveness, concluding further discussion was necessary. Authorization request to amend GTRs would be submitted to November session of WP.29 by Germany and Republic of Korea. Next meeting: 1-3 September in Paris.

The agenda includes a wrap up of EDO discussion during the 79th session of GRSP, authorization to amend GTR 1 and 14, transformation of the task force into an IWG, submission of working documents on amendments to UN R11 including Korea proposal about intuitiveness images and German proposal about amendments to UN R100, any other homework of 5th EDO meeting, amendments to UN R21, reflection on comments during 79th session of GRSP, remaining homework for 6th EDO meeting in Paris, and next meetings.

The Informal Working Group on Emergency Door Opening (IWG-EDO) will develop amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 11 and 21 and request authorization to amend UN GTR No. 1 and UN GTR No. 14, with a draft for submission to GRSP’s 80th session. In a second step, it will develop amendments for further post-crash extrication requirements for UN Regulations Nos. 94, 95, 135 and 137 and UN GTR No. 1 and 14, with a draft for submission to GRSP’s 82nd session. The group will be chaired by Germany with the Republic of Korea as Vice-Chair and OICA providing the Secretariat.

Emergency Door Opening Task Force reports transformation to Informal Working Group based on GRSP-79-18. Amendments to UN R11 require doors providing direct occupant access equipped with intuitively accessible exterior and interior latch release controls and door handles. Power-assisted systems must remain functional for 60 minutes after power loss via secondary mechanical means, backup power, or fail-safe systems. New test procedures verify door operability following emergency power loss events from interior and exterior. Amendments to UN R21 require electric front side windows to function for at least 2 minutes during vehicle submergence, with test procedures specified in new annexes.

Proposal to renumber para. 5.8.4.2. as para. 5.8.4.3., insert new para. 5.8.4.2. requiring controls of electric side windows adjacent to the front seat row to be within reach and directly accessible without multiple actions, insert new paras. 5.8.8. and 5.8.8.1. to 5.8.8.3. requiring electric side windows of the front seat row to function for at least 2 minutes during vehicle submergence, and insert new Annex XI establishing a submergence test procedure for window opening functionality.

International vehicle regulations do not include safety requirements for power-operated components such as doors, tailgates, and seats, with the exception of power-operated windows, sunroofs, and partitions covered by UN R21. Recent incidents involving entrapment hazards demonstrate the need for WP.29 to pay attention to this issue and discuss the enhancement of vehicle regulations from a long-term perspective, including which GRs should amend which regulations.

Proposal to renumber paragraph 5.8.4.2. as paragraph 5.8.4.3., insert new paragraph 5.8.4.2. requiring controls of electric side windows adjacent to the front seat row be within reach and directly accessible without multiple actions, and insert new paragraphs 5.8.8., 5.8.8.1., 5.8.8.1.1., 5.8.8.2., and 5.8.8.3. requiring electric side windows of the front seat row to still function when command is operated for at least 2 minutes in a replication of a vehicle entering water (demonstrated in accordance with a new annex). The amendment introduces provisions for ease of operation of electric side windows and guarantees front side windows operate after submergence. Laminated side windows and difficulty breaking window glass in panic situations make life hammers inappropriate alternatives to functioning windows. Research shows leaving the vehicle within one minute of water contact is important; the 2-minute requirement allows healthy margin. Paragraph 5.8.4.2. guarantees window controls operate in single action rather than requiring submenu selection.

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.

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.

Proposal to enable application to vehicles of category X, including prohibition of one-touch closing when an ADSF-2 is active, requirement for auto-reversing devices for power operated windows that can be operated by an ADSF-2, and user manual instructions for power-operated systems including warnings regarding improper use and driver and ADS responsibilities.

Five documents propose amendments to UN R46 series 02-07 to align requirements with UN R26 and UN R61, particularly regarding soft parts of camera monitoring systems and mirrors based on Shore A hardness. The 05 series introduced alignment requirements; harmonization is proposed for earlier series with existing approvals.

Proposal to require the electric side windows of the front seat row to function for at least ² minutes from the time of a vehicle entering water (EDO-03-08) as amended by the EDO SIG during its 4th session.