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UN R135 Supplement 4 (02 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 135 (ECE R135) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to their Pole Side Impact performance (PSI).

UN R135 — Supplement 4 to the 02 series of amendments

Supplement 3 → 4

Adopted at the WP.29 199th sessionEntry into force not yet known
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What changed
  • The Regulation now accounts for vehicles of category X and does not apply to vehicles of category Y.
  • For vehicles of category X, the manufacturer must propose the tested side (paragraph 5.1.1.).
  • The definition of “Vehicle width” (paragraph 2.27.) now also excludes sensors for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and sensors for Automated Driving Systems.
Why
  • The TF-AVRS proposal was prepared to enable the application of the Regulation to vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS).
  • The amendment intends to keep the spirit of the Regulation. It also intends to extend its application to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls inside the vehicle.
  • WP.29 aimed to adopt all documents of the review of existing UN Regulations for Automated Driving Systems (ADS) at its June 2026 session.

Q1What changed21 changes

Introduction and scope for vehicles of categories X and Y (sections 0. and 1.)

New section 0. says that the Regulation is amended to account for vehicles of category X. New paragraph 1.3. says that the Regulation does not apply to vehicles of category Y. Without a driver or manual driving controls in the vehicle, related provisions must not be taken into account, unless this amendment already covers them. For vehicles with an ADS other than category X, no special provisions or exemptions apply in the manual driving mode. In a mode where an ADS feature is active, the relevant ADS requirements apply. In item (b), on category N1 vehicles, for vehicles of category X the "R" point of the most forward passenger seat replaces the driver's R-point.

Introduction
For supplement 4 to the 02 series of amendments:
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Tested side for vehicles of category X (paragraphs 5.1.1., 5.1.2., 5.1.2.1. and 5.1.2.2.)

Paragraph 5.1.1. adds that, in the case of vehicles of category X, the manufacturer must propose the tested side. Paragraph 5.1.2. now also applies to vehicles of category X. For these vehicles, the Approval Authority may use either of the alternatives in paragraph 5.1.2.1. or 5.1.2.2. Paragraphs 5.1.2.1. and 5.1.2.2. now refer to “the side defined under paragraph 5.1.1.” instead of “the driver's side”.

With the exception of vehicle types designed as described in paragraph 5.1.2. below, the approval test shall be conducted such that the vehicle impacts the pole on the driver's side. In case of vehicles of category X, the manufacturer shall propose the tested side.
In the case For vehicles of category X and for vehicle types where the side structures, front‑row seats or the type of protective systems on each side of the vehicle are sufficiently different for the Approval Authority to consider they could appreciably affect performance in a test conducted in accordance with Annex 3; either of the alternatives in paragraph 5.1.2.1. or 5.1.2.2. may be used by the Approval Authority.
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Sensors excluded from the vehicle width (paragraph 2.27.)

The definition of “Vehicle width” (paragraph 2.27.) now also excludes sensors for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and sensors for Automated Driving Systems.

"Vehicle width" means the distance between two planes parallel to the longitudinal median plane (of the vehicle) and touching the vehicle on either side of the said plane but excluding the rear-view mirrors, side marker lamps, tyre pressure indicators, direction indicator lamps, position lamps, flexible mud-guards , sensors for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, sensors for Automated Driving Systems and the deflected part of the tyre side-walls immediately above the point of contact with the ground.

Driver and steering wheel provisions in Annex 3 (paragraph 2.14.) and Annex 4 (paragraphs 2.2., 5.1.2.1., 8.4.7. and 8.4.7.3.)

In Annex 4, paragraph 2.2., the sentence on driver bench seating positions now ends with “steering wheel hub (if applicable)”. Annex 4, paragraph 5.1.2.1., now starts “An adjustable steering wheel (if applicable)”. Annex 4, paragraph 8.4.7., now reads “For a driver seating position (if applicable)”. New paragraph 8.4.7.3. of Annex 4 says that, in the case of vehicles of category X, paragraph 8.4.8. applies. Otherwise, paragraphs 8.4.7.1. and 8.4.7.2. apply. In Annex 3, the definition of “Vehicle master control switch” (paragraph 2.14.) now says “without a driver present” instead of “without the driver present”.

"Vehicle master control switch" means the device by which the vehicle's onboard electronics system is brought from being switched off, as is the case when the vehicle is parked without the a driver present, to the normal operating mode.
"Centre plane of occupant (C/LO)" means the median plane of the 3‑D H machine positioned in each designated seating position. It is represented by the lateral (Y‑axis) coordinate of the H-point in the vehicle reference coordinate system. For individual seats, the vertical median plane of the seat coincides with the centre plane of the occupant. For driver bench seating positions, the centre plane of the occupant coincides with the geometric centre of the steering wheel hub. (if applicable). For other seats, the centre plane of the occupant is specified by the manufacturer.
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References to R.E.3 in footnotes, including the footnote of paragraph 4.5.1.

The footnote with the definitions in R.E.3 now refers to document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.7. The footnote of paragraph 4.5.1. on the distinguishing numbers of the Contracting Parties now refers to Rev.8 instead of Rev.7.

As defined in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.7ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8, para. 2 - https://unece.org/transport/vehicle-regulations/wp29/resolutions
The distinguishing numbers of the Contracting Parties to the 1958 Agreement are reproduced in Annex 3 to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev. 7ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8, Annex 3 - https://unece.org/transport/vehicle-regulations/wp29/resolutions
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Q2Why it changed

Proposed by
Expert from Germany on behalf of the GRSP Task Force on Automated Vehicles Regulation Screening (TF-AVRS)
Working party
GRSP, 78th session (December 2025)

Reasons

  • The TF-AVRS proposal was prepared to enable the application of the Regulation to vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS). The Regulation was first written for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls. The amendment intends to keep the spirit of the Regulation. It also intends to extend its application to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls inside the vehicle.

    Sources (4)
    “to enable the application of the regulation to vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS)”
    “See paragraph 0. in the proposal”
    “The Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with driver and manual driving controls”
    “It is the intention of this amendment to keep the spirit of the regulation and to extend its application to vehicles without driver and without manual driving controls inside the vehicle”

  • WP.29 aimed to adopt all documents of the review of existing UN Regulations for Automated Driving Systems (ADS) at its June 2026 session.

    Source
    “WP.29 reaffirmed its objective to adopt all documents related to the review of existing UN Regulations related to Automated Driving Systems (ADS) at its June 2026 session”

Document trail

  1. 2025-09ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2025/34Proposal by the expert from Germany on behalf of TF-AVRS
  2. —Amended in sessionGRSP-78-43TF-AVRS changes to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2025/34
  3. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/78GRSP session report, para. 43 and Annex XVIII
  4. 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/67Text that GRSP sent to WP.29 and AC.1
  5. —Amended in sessionWP.29-199-10Amendments for the AC.1 vote, reproduced in Annex VI of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1192
  6. 2026-06-24WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1192Adopted at the 199th session (session report, para. 103)
  7. PendingIn forceDate not yet known

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

  • Check in R.E.3 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8) if your vehicles are of category X or category Y.
  • For vehicles of category X, propose the tested side (paragraph 5.1.1.).
  • For category N1 vehicles of category X in item (b), take the "R" point of the most forward passenger seat.

Component supplier

  • Tell the vehicle manufacturer which parts you supply are sensors for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems or Automated Driving Systems.

Technical service / Approval authority

  • If the vehicle has no driver or manual driving controls, ignore related provisions unless this amendment already covers them.
  • When you determine the vehicle width, exclude sensors for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and for Automated Driving Systems (paragraph 2.27.).
  • For vehicles of category X, apply Annex 4, paragraph 8.4.8., as new paragraph 8.4.7.3. says.

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

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