UN R107 — 10 series of amendments

From the official date of entry into force of the 10 series, no Contracting Party may refuse to grant or accept 10 series type-approvals. As from 1 September 2024, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept preceding-series type-approvals first issued after 1 September 2024. Until 1 September 2026, Contracting Parties must accept preceding-series type-approvals first issued before 1 September 2024. As from 1 September 2026, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept type-approvals issued to the preceding series. Notwithstanding paragraphs 10.31. and 10.33., they must continue to accept 06, 07, 08 and 09 series approvals for vehicles not affected by the 10 series.

Under paragraph 7.6.8.2.2., an emergency window must now be made of toughened glass pane(s) instead of readily-breakable safety glass. An easy-to-operate device must make sure that a single person from inside the passenger compartment can break and remove each glass pane within 20 seconds. The technical service must test the operation of the device. The service must also measure the time from the first action to operate the device until a free opening of the required dimensions (paragraph 7.6.3.1.3). Before, a device had to be adjacent to each emergency window, readily available to persons inside the vehicle, so that each window can be broken.

The device must be fixed adjacent to or on the emergency window and positioned in the upper third of the height of the window surface. For a rear emergency window, the device must be fixed centrally adjacent to or on the window, or positioned adjacent to or on both sides. If the device is not technically compatible with these positions, it must be located adjacent to or affixed on each emergency window. In that case, the manufacturer must demonstrate the following points to the satisfaction of the Technical Service. These are the analysis conducted to determine the location of the device and the definition of the measures put in place to prevent unintended use. The Technical Service must check these evidences.

The device must be clearly visible for any passenger in its direct vicinity, marked in red and supplemented by a safety sign. It must be readily available at all times and designed to prevent misuse. An electronic device must be operational if the vehicle's power supply fails, with its operational status easy to check at the driver’s seat position. At least one measure at the manufacturer's choice must be available: permanent fixing adjacent to or on each emergency window, or a warning signal. This warning signal is audible or visible at the driver's seating position when the device is temporarily removed from its designated location. The device must be equipped with a protective cover or designed to prevent unintended operation, and require one additional action to unlock.

The surfaces of each emergency window may be fitted with a plastic film to enable the person to remove the window pane or panes. The surfaces of each escape hatch may be fitted with a plastic film in the same way. The film must be cut at the outer edge of the emergency window, following a pattern, for example as in Annex 4, Figure 32. If a plastic film is fitted to the emergency exit, it must be compatible with the device and must not reduce its efficiency. The characteristics of the approved glazing must remain unchanged. New Figure 32 in Annex 4 shows patterns for cutting plastic film on emergency window or escape hatch.

The device rule in paragraph 7.6.9.5. now refers to a hatch made of or with toughened glass pane(s), instead of a readily-breakable hatch. For such a hatch, an easy-to-operate device must let one person from inside the passenger compartment break and remove each glass pane(s) within 20 sec. The technical service must test the operation of the device. The service must also measure the time from the first action to operate the device until a free opening of the required dimensions (paragraph 7.6.3.1.5). New paragraphs 7.6.9.5.1. and 7.6.9.5.2. set the same visibility, availability and misuse rules as paragraphs 7.6.8.2.2.2. and 7.6.8.2.2.3., but for each escape hatch. A further new paragraph sets the same protective cover rule as paragraph 7.6.8.2.2.4.