UN R121 — Supplement 8 to the 01 series of amendments

New paragraphs 0. to 0.1.4. add an Introduction. Paragraph 0.1.: Supplement 8 takes into account vehicles of categories X and Y, and ADS vehicles with a manual mode operating above 6 km/h. Under paragraph 0.1.3., vehicles with a max. speed of 6 km/h operated by a driver on-board the vehicle are within the scope. Paragraph 0.1.4. considers three different manual modes for vehicles of category X. With a Remote-Control device intended to be operated in close proximity of the vehicle, the vehicle is exempted from the scope. Seated in a driver’s seat, the general provisions apply; onboard other than seated in a driver’s seat, alternative provisions apply.

Paragraph 1. applies this UN Regulation to vehicles of categories M and N, as before. It now excludes category Y vehicles and category X vehicles without a manual mode that is intended to be operated on-board the vehicle. “This Regulation” becomes “This UN Regulation”. The rest of the paragraph does not change.

Paragraph 5. has a new provision for category X vehicles with a manual mode intended to be operated on-board not using a driver’s seat. They may fulfil alternative requirements, in agreement with the Technical Service and Type Approval Authority. This applies only if the manufacturer, with the safety concept defined for manual operation, can demonstrate safety equivalent to paragraphs 5.1 to 5.6. The Test Report must describe the alternative provisions that are applied and the vehicle’s performance. In paragraph 5., the sentence on vehicles fitted with a control, a tell-tale or an indicator listed in Table 1 now says “this UN Regulation”.

New paragraph 2.10. defines “Safety Concept”. It describes the measures for safe operation under fault and non-fault conditions, free of unreasonable safety risks to the vehicle occupants and other road users. The possibility of a fallback to partial operation or to a backup system may be a part of the safety concept.

Paragraph 5.1.4. covers the tell-tale for “passenger air bag off”, if fitted. It must be located within the interior of the vehicle, forward of and above the design H-point of two seats. These are the driver's seat (if applicable) and the front passenger(s)' seat, in their forward most seating positions. This tell-tale must be visible to the driver (if applicable) and front passenger(s) under all driving conditions. Before this supplement, it read “the driver's and the front passenger(s)' seat” and “visible to the driver and front passenger(s)”, without “seat (if applicable)” or “(if applicable)”.

The footnote “As defined in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.)” now refers to document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.3. It no longer gives “para. 2”. The footnote on the distinguishing numbers of the Contracting Parties to the 1958 Agreement now refers to document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev. 8 instead of Rev. 3. Both footnotes now give the web address https://unece.org/transport/vehicle-regulations/wp29/resolutions. In the text that GRSG sent to WP.29, the “As defined” footnote said “Rev.8, para. 2”. AC.1 adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/120 as amended by Annex VI of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1192, which gives the footnote without “para. 2”.