UN R129 Supplement 1 (04 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 129 (ECE R129) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of Enhanced Child Restraint Systems used on board of motor vehicles (ECRS).
UN R129 — Supplement 1 to the 04 series of amendments
Base text → Supplement 1
- What changed
- Paragraph 6.1.3.4. now says that Enhanced Child Restraint Systems of the booster seat and booster cushion categories must have only one adult safety-belt route.
- Specific Vehicle ECRS “that use attachment methods not defined in this regulation” must be dynamically tested in a vehicle body shell or in a complete vehicle. Notwithstanding paragraph 6.6.4.1.2.2.1., these tests must be carried out for each vehicle specified in the ECRS car fitting list.
- New paragraph 7.1.3.1.1.8. says that, “when testing a booster cushion in frontal impact tests on the test bench prescribed in Annex 6”, an optional dummy protective device may be installed, at the decision of the technical service.
- Why
- The requirement to have one belt route on boosters was inadvertently deleted from paragraph 6.1.3.4. when Supplement 3 to the 03 series amended that paragraph.
- The proposal aims to clarify the conditions under which Enhanced Child Restraint Systems must be tested in a vehicle body shell.
- A headrest on the bench would allow testing of the universal booster cushion with a Q10 dummy without damaging the neck of the dummy.
Q1What changed19 changes
Only one adult safety-belt route for booster seats and booster cushions (para. 6.1.3.4.)
Paragraph 6.1.3.4. now says that Enhanced Child Restraint Systems of the booster seat and booster cushion categories must have only one adult safety-belt route. They must also have a main load-bearing contact point between the Enhanced Child Restraint System and the adult safety belt. Before this supplement, paragraph 6.1.3.4. did not have the words “only one adult safety-belt route and”. The rest of the paragraph does not change.
Test bench for i-Size and Universal category Enhanced Child Restraint Systems (para. 6.6.4.1.1.)
Paragraph 6.6.4.1.1. now says “i-Size and Universal category Enhanced Child Restraint Systems shall be tested on the test bench prescribed in Annex 6, and in conformity with paragraph 7.1.3.1. below”. Before this supplement, the paragraph said “i-Size category Enhanced Child Restraint Systems”.
How Specific Vehicle Enhanced Child Restraint Systems are tested (paras. 6.6.4.1.2. and 6.6.4.1.2.1.)
Paragraph 6.6.4.1.2. now says that Specific Vehicle Enhanced Child Restraint Systems must be tested in one of the following ways. Before this supplement, it also said that these systems must be assessed for fit with each vehicle model for which they are intended. Paragraph 6.6.4.1.2.1. now covers Specific Vehicle ECRS that attach to the car using the adult seat belt or ISOFIX attachments that comply with paragraph 6.3.3. These must be dynamically tested on the test bench prescribed in Annex 6, in conformity with paragraph 7.1.3.1. For Specific Vehicle ISOFIX ECRS, this applies only if they are equipped with an anti-rotation device that conforms to paragraph 6.3.4. or 6.3.5. Alternatively, these Specific Vehicle ECRS can be tested in a vehicle body shell in conformity with paragraph 7.1.3.2.
Vehicle body shell or complete vehicle tests for Specific Vehicle ECRS with attachment methods not defined in the Regulation (para. 6.6.4.1.2.2.)
Paragraph 6.6.4.1.2.2. now says that Specific Vehicle ECRS “that use attachment methods not defined in this regulation” must be dynamically tested in a vehicle body shell or in a complete vehicle. Notwithstanding paragraph 6.6.4.1.2.2.1., these tests must be carried out for each vehicle specified in the ECRS car fitting list. This also applies to Specific Vehicle ISOFIX ECRS “that are not equipped with an anti-rotation device that conforms to paragraph 6.3.4. or 6.3.5. and instead use the vehicle seat cushion to limit the pitch rotation of the ECRS in a front impact”. Before this supplement, the paragraph covered Enhanced Child Restraint Systems “which are in conformity with paragraph 6.3. of this Regulation (for example ECRS using no anti-rotation device or using additional anchorages) or do not fit in any envelope defined in UN Regulation No. 16, Annex 17, Appendix 2 or Appendix 5”.
Fit assessment and vehicle body shell parts for the dynamic test (para. 6.6.4.1.2.2.1.)
Paragraph 6.6.4.1.2.2.1. now says: “Before the dynamic test in a vehicle body shell, the Enhanced Child Restraint System shall first be assessed for fit with every vehicle specified in the ECRS car fitting list”. The Technical Service must then make sure that the dynamic test uses sufficient parts of each vehicle body shell “to be representative of the vehicle structures and impact surfaces, including the vehicle seat cushions and underlying structures”. The Technical Service may also reduce the number of vehicles tested “if they do not differ greatly in the aspects listed above”. However, testing at simple extremes of differences in dimensions or material properties is not allowed. Before this supplement, the paragraph began “Using sufficient parts of the vehicle body shell to be representative of the vehicle structure and impact surfaces”.
Optional dummy protective device for booster cushion frontal tests (para. 7.1.3.1.1.8., Annex 6, para. 3.4. and Appendix 5)
New paragraph 7.1.3.1.1.8. says that, “when testing a booster cushion in frontal impact tests on the test bench prescribed in Annex 6”, an optional dummy protective device may be installed, at the decision of the technical service. New paragraph 3.4. of Annex 6 says that the forward face of the dummy protective device must be parallel with the back of the backrest. The design of the device must be such that it does not interfere with the manikin when positioned on the test bench. It must not interfere with the dummy and/or the adult 3-point belt during the dynamic test until the maximum horizontal head excursion has been reached. Any other device giving equivalent results can be accepted. New Appendix 5 to Annex 6 has the title “Optional dummy protective device” and a Figure 1, with all dimensions in millimetres.
Test report template (Annex 27)
The title of Annex 27 now reads “Type approval test report template”. Before this supplement, it read “List of Minimum Contents for the Test Reports included in the Type Approval Application”. Annex 27 also adds the entry “Test Bench Type (Test on trolley+standard seat/Test in car body)” with the line “If testing in car body, specify make/model”.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Expert from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) and expert from France
- Working party
- GRSP, 74th session (December 2023)
Reasons
Supplement 3 to the 03 series amended paragraph 6.1.3.4. to refer to booster cushions. During that amendment, the requirement to have one belt route on boosters was inadvertently deleted. Although paragraph 3.2.2. also makes this requirement, it is preferable to reinsert it in paragraph 6.1.3.4., for consistency.
Sources (3)
“This included an amendment to paragraph 6.1.3.4. to refer to booster cushions”
“During the amendment of paragraph 6.1.3.4., the requirement to have one belt route on boosters was inadvertently deleted.”
“Although this requirement is also made in paragraph 3.2.2., it is preferable to reinsert it in paragraph 6.1.3.4., for consistency.”
The proposal aims to clarify the conditions under which Enhanced Child Restraint Systems must be tested in a vehicle body shell. CLEPA believed that a broader amendment of paragraph 6.6.4.1.2 (including both 6.6.4.1.2.1. and 6.6.4.1.2.2.) was needed to make the intent of the Regulation absolutely clear.
Sources (2)
“aiming to clarify the conditions under which Enhanced Child Restraint Systems must be tested in a vehicle body shell”
“CLEPA supported this initiative from the Netherlands, but also believed that a broader amendment of paragraph 6.6.4.1.2 (including both 6.6.4.1.2.1. and 6.6.4.1.2.2.) was needed to make the intent of the regulation absolutely clear.”
The proposal would allow installation of a headrest on the bench in the dynamic frontal test of a universal booster cushion with a Q10 dummy. This would allow testing of the universal booster cushion without damaging the neck of the dummy.
Sources (2)
“She recalled that the proposal would allow installation of a headrest on the bench in the dynamic frontal test of a universal booster cushion with a Q10 dummy.”
“She clarified that this would allow testing of the universal booster cushion, without damaging the neck of the dummy.”
Proposer's reason (informal document GRSP-74-29-Rev.1)
During the rebound phase of the test, an important extension of the Q10 neck can be observed, because no headrest is positioned on the bench. This could damage the Q10 neck. The test requirements are not modified, because “the injury assessment criteria reach their maximum values during the forward extension of the dummy’s head and before the rebound phase”.
Submitted by Expert from France. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/74, para. 28.
Sources (3)
“But during the rebound phase of the test, an important extension of the neck of Q10 can be observed, due to the absence of headrest positioned on the bench.”
“This could damage the Q10 neck.”
“There is no modification of the test requirements because the injury assessment criteria reach their maximum values during the forward extension of the dummy’s head and before the rebound phase.”
Document trail
- 2023-09ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/38Proposal by the expert from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers
- —ProposalGRSP-74-29-Rev.1Proposal by the expert from France for a dummy protective device
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/74Session report, paras. 25 and 28
- 2024-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2024/44/Rev.1Text that GRSP sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- 2024-06WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1179Adopted at the 193rd session (session report, para. 162)
- 2025-01-10In forceC.N.61.2025.TREATIES-XI.B.16.129UN depositary notification
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- No direct action for this role.
Component supplier
- No direct action for this role.
Technical service / Approval authority
- Decide whether to install the optional dummy protective device for booster cushion frontal impact tests on the Annex 6 bench.
- Decide whether to cover the device with the lateral impact door Polychloropren foam (Appendix 3) or an alternative material.
- In type approval test reports, give the test bench type and, if testing in car body, the make/model.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.
More UN R129 change reports
- 05 series — Supplement 1
- 05 series — Base text
- 04 series — Supplement 6
- 04 series — Supplement 5
- 04 series — Supplement 4
- 04 series — Supplement 3
- 04 series — Supplement 2
- 04 series — Base text
- 03 series — Supplement 12
- 03 series — Supplement 11
- 03 series — Supplement 10
- 03 series — Supplement 9
- 03 series — Supplement 8
- 03 series — Supplement 7
- 03 series — Supplement 6
- 03 series — Supplement 5