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UN R134 Supplement 2 (02 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 134 (ECE R134) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles and their components with regard to the safety-related performance of Hydrogen-Fuelled Vehicles (HFCV).

UN R134 — Supplement 2 to the 02 series of amendments

Supplement 1 → 2

Adopted at the WP.29 196th sessionEntry into force 2026-01-11
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What changed
  • One (1) container is now tested in paragraph 5.2. Before, three (3) containers were tested in some cases, depending on the pressure cycle life measurements made in paragraph 5.1.2.
  • In Annex 3, the localized leak test is deemed fulfilled if the measured permeation rate under paragraph 4.2. is 0.005 mg/sec (3.6 Nml/min) or less.
  • In Annex 5, paragraph 5.2. now says that any single point of localized external leakage must not exceed 0.005 mg/sec (3.6 Nml/min).
Why
  • The proposal was introduced to finalize the transposition of the remaining elements from UN GTR No. 13 into UN Regulation No. 134.
  • The proposal clarifies the order of the permeation and leakage tests in Figure 2 so as to be in line with the text.
  • According to the proposer, the text did not specify a leakage threshold for the compliance test for fuel line leakage.

Q1What changed13 changes

Number of containers for the hydraulic sequential tests (para. 5.2.)

One (1) container is now tested in paragraph 5.2. Before, this depended on the three pressure cycle life measurements made in paragraph 5.1.2. If they were all greater than 11,000 cycles, or all within ± 25 per cent of each other, only one (1) container was tested. Otherwise, three (3) containers were tested.

If all three pressure cycle life measurements made in paragraph 5.1.2. are greater than 11,000 cycles, or if they are all within ± 25 per cent of each other, then only one One (1) container is tested in paragraph 5.2. Otherwise, three (3) containers are tested in paragraph 5.2.
Unless otherwise specified, the tests in paragraph 5.2. shall be conducted on the container equipped with its container attachments (if any) that represent the CHSS without the primary closures.

Figure 2, verification test for expected on-road performance (para. 5.3.)

The drawing of Figure 2 (“Verification test for expected on-road performance (pneumatic)”) is amended.

[figure changed][figure changed]

Names of the permeation and localized leak tests (para. 5.3.3.; Annex 3, paras 4.2. and 4.3.)

Paragraph 5.3.3. is now named “Extreme temperature static permeation test and localized leak test (pneumatic)”. Before, it was “Extreme temperature static gas pressure leak/permeation test (pneumatic)”. In Annex 3, the headings now read “Permeation test (pneumatic)” (paragraph 4.2.) and “Localized leak test (pneumatic)” (paragraph 4.3.). Before, they read “Gas permeation test (pneumatic)” and “Localized gas leak test (pneumatic)”.

Extreme temperature static gas pressure leak/permeation permeation test and localized leak test (pneumatic).
Gas permeation Permeation test (pneumatic)
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Timing and fulfilment of the localized leak test (Annex 3, para. 4.3.)

The localized leak test is now performed after each permeation test conducted in accordance with Table 5a in Annex 3, paragraph 4. If the measured permeation rate under paragraph 4.2. is 0.005 mg/sec (3.6 Nml/min) or less, the localized leak test is now deemed fulfilled.

This test is performed after each permeation test conducted in accordance with Table 5a in Annex 3, paragraph 4.
If the measured permeation rate during the permeation test under paragraph 4.2. is less than or equal to 0.005 mg/sec (3.6 Nml/min), the localized leak test is deemed to be fulfilled.

Fuel system leakage and compliance test for fuel line leakage (para. 7.1.5.; Annex 5, paras 5.2. and 5.3.)

Paragraph 7.1.5. covers the hydrogen fuelling line downstream of the main shut-off valve(s) to the fuel cell system, or the engine. This line must now be verified at NWP per Annex 5, paragraph 5. and meet the leakage requirements therein. Before, the paragraph said that this line must not leak, with compliance verified at NWP (Annex 5, paragraph 5. test procedure). In Annex 5, paragraph 5.2. now adds that any single point of localized external leakage must not exceed 0.005 mg/sec (3.6 Nml/min).

The hydrogen fuelling line downstream of the main shut-off valve(s) to the fuel cell system , or the engine shall not leak. Compliance shall be verified at NWP (per Annex 5, paragraph 5. test procedure).and meet the leakage requirements therein.
Hydrogen leakage is evaluated at accessible sections of the fuel lines from the high-pressure high pressure section to the fuel cell stack (or the engine), using a gas leak detector or a leak detecting liquid, such as soap solution. Any single point of localized external leakage shall not exceed 0.005 mg/sec (3.6 Nml/min).
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Separate testing option in conformity of production (para. 9.2.1.)

The first sentence of paragraph 9.2.1. now begins with the words “Every container of CHSS”. Before, the sentence read “Every container or, upon agreement of the Type Approval Authority, every pressure bearing chamber of CHSS”. A new sentence now gives an alternative, if applicable, upon agreement of the Type Approval Authority and Technical Service. Every pressure bearing chamber and every high-pressure fuel line of multiple permanently interconnected chambers may then also be subjected to the same test individually. For this separate testing option, the test article must be connected to a hydraulic pressure source at one of its openings. The remaining openings, if any, must be closed by appropriate means.

Every container or, upon agreement of the Type Approval Authority, every pressure bearing chamber of CHSS shall be pressurized smoothly and continually with a hydraulic fluid or gas to the target pressure of ≥ 125 per cent NWP until the target test pressure level is reached and then held for ≥ 30 seconds. Temperature variation during the test shall be taken into account. The quality variability of the products shall be assessed with a method defined by the manufacturer e.g., variability of elastic expansion, etc. If applicable, upon agreement of the Type Approval Authority and Technical Service, as an alternative, every pressure bearing chamber and every high-pressure fuel line of multiple permanently interconnected chambers may also be subjected to the same test described above individually. When applying this separate testing option, the test article shall be connected to a hydraulic pressure source at one of its openings by use of appropriate hydraulic mating connections and the remaining openings, if any, shall be closed by use of appropriate means.

Choice of the drop orientation (Annex 3, para. 3.2.)

In the drop (impact) test, the test article must be dropped in any one of four orientations. The orientation chosen for the test must now be determined by the Technical Service in consultation with the manufacturers.

The test article shall be dropped in any one of the following four orientations, the orientation chosen for the test shall be determined by the Technical Service in consultation with the manufacturers:
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Q2Why it changed

Proposed by
Task Force amending UN Regulation No. 134
Working party
GRSP, 76th session (December 2024)

Reasons

  • According to the GRSP report, the experts of TF-R134 introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/27, as amended by GRSP-76-15. Their aim was to finalize the transposition of the remaining elements from UN GTR No. 13 into UN Regulation No. 134. The task force prepared the text on transposing amendment 1 to UN Global Technical Regulation No. 13, Phase 2 (GTR13-PH2).

    Sources (2)
    “to finalize the transposition of the remaining elements from UN GTR No. 13 into UN Regulation No. 134”
    “as well as related industry experts on transposing amendment 1 to UN Global Technical Regulation No. 13, Phase 2 (GTR13-PH2) into the UN Regulation under the 1958 Agreement”

  • The proposal clarifies the order of the permeation and leakage tests in Figure 2 so as to be in line with the text. It also streamlines the wording for headings and text relating to these tests. The leak test is not required if the permeation rate in test 4.2. fulfils the requirements of 4.3.

    Sources (2)
    “This proposal clarifies the order of the permeation and leakage tests in Figure 2 so as to be in line with the text, and also streamlines the wording for headings and text relating to these tests.”
    “The leak test is not required if the permeation rate in test 4.2. fulfils the requirements of 4.3.”

  • For the compliance test for fuel line leakage, the text did not specify a leakage threshold. The proposer states that there are no changes to the technical requirements.

    Sources (2)
    “The text does not specify a leakage threshold.”
    “There are no changes to the technical requirements.”

  • For conformity of production, the proposer refers to batch testing of individual parts or sub-assemblies of the multiple permanently interconnected chambers. According to the proposer, allowing this gives the approval holder more flexibility without reducing the stringency of the requirements. It addresses the practicality of conducting hydraulic pressure tests. In particular, it takes account of the subsequent drying process for containers consisting of more than one chamber and their interconnecting fuel lines.

    Sources (2)
    “Allowing batch testing of individual parts or sub-assemblies of the multiple permanently interconnected chambers provides more flexibility to the approval holder without reducing the stringency of the requirements.”
    “It addresses the practicality of conducting hydraulic pressure tests, and in particular, to take account of the subsequent drying process that is necessary for containers consisting of more than one chamber and their interconnecting fuel lines.”

  • Proposer's reason (informal document GRSP-76-15)

    UN GTR No. 13, amendment 1, streamlined the drop test procedure so that only one container is dropped once. The 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 134 transposed this procedure, but the test did not specify who chooses the orientation. The proposal clarifies this.

    Submitted by Task Force amending UN Regulation No. 134. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/76, para. 30.

    Sources (3)
    “The drop test procedure was then modified in GTR 13 amendment 1: it has been streamlined such that only one container will be dropped once”
    “This updated procedure was then transposed in 02 series of amendment to UN Regulation No. 134. But it is not specified in the test who choose this orientation.”
    “This is clarified in our proposal.”

Document trail

  1. 2024-09ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/27Proposal by the Task Force amending UN Regulation No. 134
  2. —Amended in sessionGRSP-76-15Document amending ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/27
  3. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/76GRSP session report, para. 30 and Annex IX
  4. 2025-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2025/53Text that GRSP sent to WP.29 and AC.1
  5. 2025-05Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2025/53/Corr.1Corrigendum to paragraph 5.2.
  6. 2025-06WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1186Adopted at the 196th session (session report, para. 111)
  7. 2026-01-11In forceC.N.40.2026.TREATIES-XI.B.16.134UN depositary notification

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

  • Plan one (1) container for the tests in paragraph 5.2.; the three (3)-container case is deleted.
  • Be ready to consult with the Technical Service on the orientation chosen for the drop test.

Component supplier

  • For multiple permanently interconnected chambers, get Type Approval Authority and Technical Service agreement before separate testing under paragraph 9.2.1.
  • For separate testing, connect the test article to a hydraulic pressure source at one opening; close any other openings appropriately.
  • Use the paragraph 4.2. permeation rate: at or below 0.005 mg/sec (3.6 Nml/min), the localized leak test is deemed fulfilled.

Technical service / Approval authority

  • Determine the orientation chosen for the drop test in consultation with the manufacturers.
  • Be ready to agree, with the Type Approval Authority, on separate testing of multiple permanently interconnected chambers under paragraph 9.2.1.

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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.

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