UN R137 Base text (04 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 137 (ECE R137) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to restraint systems, fuel system integrity and protection against electrical shock in the event of a frontal collision.
UN R137 — 04 series of amendments
Changes from 03 series of amendments
- What changed
- Paragraph 5.2.1.2.3. now sets a ThCC limit of 34 mm also for some vehicles of category N1. These vehicles have a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 2,800 kg, maximum vehicle width not exceeding 1,480 mm and length not exceeding 3,400 mm.
- New paragraphs 12.7. to 12.12. are transitional provisions for the 04 series. As from 1 September 2027, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation need not accept preceding-series type approvals of vehicles first issued after that date.
- Footnote 1 of Annex 6 now refers to Addendum 6 of M.R.1 for the “H” point procedure, instead of Annex 1 to R.E.3.
- Why
- GRSP considered it desirable to enhance the protection of occupants of age 65 and older. To do this, the same AF05 dummy ThCC limit of 34 mm also applies to a certain range of vehicles of category N1. These vehicles often may be used in specific countries by private consumers for commuting.
- From 1 September 2027, Japan's ThCC limit for AF05 dummies in N1 vehicles up to 2,800 kg maximum permissible mass is to be 34 mm.
- The specifications of the 3-D “H” point machine were updated and moved from R.E.3 to M.R.1.
Q1What changed21 changes
Thorax compression criterion (ThCC) limits for categories M1 and N1 (para. 5.2.1.2.3.)
For vehicles of category M1, the thorax compression criterion (ThCC) limit stays 34 mm. For vehicles of category N1, the limit is now 34 mm if the vehicle meets three conditions. These are a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 2,800 kg, a maximum vehicle width not exceeding 1,480 mm and a length not exceeding 3,400 mm. If the vehicle exceeds any one of these values, the limit for category N1 stays 42 mm. A footnote is deleted that said the threshold limit is derived from the injury criteria of a 65-year old fifth percentile female. It said that the criterion should be limited to the front outboard passenger position under the load case and test condition of this Regulation.
New introduction to the 04 series (para. 0.)
New paragraph 0. gives an introduction to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 137. It says that the 03 series limits the AF05 dummy ThCC to maximum 34 mm in vehicles of category M1. The purpose of this limit is to protect vehicle occupants of age 65 and older. It also says that GRSP considered it desirable to apply the same limit to a certain range of vehicles of category N1. These vehicles often may be used in specific countries by private consumers for commuting.
Transitional provisions for the 04 series (paras. 12.7. to 12.12.)
New paragraph 12.7. applies from the official date of entry into force of the 04 series of amendments. From then, no Contracting Party applying this Regulation may refuse to grant or refuse to accept type approvals under the 04 series. As from 1 September 2027, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation need not accept preceding-series type approvals of vehicles first issued after that date. They must continue to accept those first issued before 1 September 2027, if the transitional provisions of those previous series foresee this possibility. Contracting Parties applying this Regulation may grant type approvals, and must continue to grant extensions of existing approvals, to any preceding series of amendments. Contracting Parties that start to apply this Regulation after the date of entry into force of the most recent series need not accept preceding-series type-approvals.
Approval mark examples (Annex 2)
In Annex 2, the approval mark example for France (E 2) now gives approval number 041424 and the 04 series of amendments. Before, it gave approval number 011424 and the 03 series of amendments. The example for the Netherlands (E 4) now says that Regulation No. 137 incorporated the 04 series of amendments, instead of the 03 series. The approval mark figures in Annex 2 are also changed.
Reference for the “H” point procedure (Annex 6, footnote 1)
Footnote 1 of Annex 6 now says that Addendum 6 of Mutual Resolution No. 1 (M.R.1), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1101/Amend.5, describes the procedure. Before this series, the footnote referred to Annex 1 to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.7. The web address in the footnote is now https://unece.org/transport/vehicle-regulations/wp29/resolutions.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Expert from Japan; expert from the Netherlands
- Working party
- GRSP, 75th session (May 2024)
Reasons
GRSP considered it desirable to enhance the protection of occupants of age 65 and older. To do this, the same AF05 dummy ThCC limit of 34 mm also applies to a certain range of vehicles of category N1. These vehicles often may be used in specific countries by private consumers for commuting.
Sources (2)
“GRSP considered it desirable to enhance protection of occupants of age 65 and older by applying the same AF05 dummy ThCC limit of 34 mm also to a certain range of vehicles of category N1”
“which often may be used in specific countries by private consumers for commuting”
Some national accident data are about occupants of age 65 and older in front who were fatally or seriously injured. These data indicate that almost all the vehicles of these occupants were very small N1 vehicles, only available in a certain number of countries. The amendment seeks to address this particular case.
Sources (2)
“Some national accident data indicate that almost all the vehicles in which occupants of age 65 and older in front were fatally or seriously injured were very small N1 vehicles only available in a certain number of countries.”
“This amendment therefore seeks to address this particular case.”
Almost all the vehicles in which elderly female passengers in front were fatally or seriously injured were N1 Kei cars, available in Japan. So, the vehicle width was limited to 1,480 mm and the length to 3,400 mm, the width and length limits of Kei cars.
Sources (2)
“Almost all the vehicles in which elderly female passengers in front were fatally or seriously injured were N1 Kei cars, available in Japan.”
“So, the vehicle width was limited 1,480 mm and the length was limited 3,400 mm, which were the limits of width and length of Kei cars.”
In Japan, it had been determined to amend the national regulation for N1 vehicles with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 2,800 kg. From 1 September 2027, the ThCC for AF05 dummies in these vehicles will be the same as in M1 vehicles, that is 34 mm. The expert from Japan considered it necessary to amend UN Regulation No. 137 in the same way.
Sources (3)
“in Japan, it had been determined to amend the national regulation”
“from 1 September 2027, ThCC for AF05 dummies in N1 vehicles with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 2,800 kg will be the same as that in M1 vehicles, i.e. 34 mm”
“Therefore, we consider it necessary to amend UN Regulation No. 137 in the same way.”
The specifications of the three-dimensional “H” point machine were updated and moved from R.E.3 to M.R.1. A calibration procedure was also added, so that the machine gives consistent test results among all Regulations.
Sources (2)
“The specifications of the three-dimensional "H" (3-D "H")-point machine have been updated and transferred from R.E.3. to M.R.1.”
“Also, a calibration procedure was added, assuring that the 3-D "H"-point machine used for all testing in UN Regulations and UN Global Technical Regulations is consistent and gives consistent test results among all Regulations.”
Document trail
- 2024-03ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/7Collective proposal by the expert from the Netherlands, including UN Regulation No. 137
- 2024-03ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2024/14Proposal for the 04 series by the expert from Japan
- —Amended in sessionGRSP-75-21Amendment to the collective proposal at the 75th GRSP session
- —RevisedGRSP-75-31-Rev.2Revised proposal by the expert from Japan
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/75Session report, paras. 27 and 30
- 2024-08Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2024/119Text that GRSP sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- 2024-11WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1181Adopted at the 194th session (session report, para. 158)
- 2025-06-12In forceC.N.334.2025.TREATIES-XI.B.16.137UN depositary notification
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- Check each N1 vehicle's maximum permissible mass, maximum vehicle width and length against items (b) and (c) of paragraph 5.2.1.2.3.
- For vehicles of category N1 under item (b) of paragraph 5.2.1.2.3., make sure the ThCC does not exceed 34 mm.
- Note paragraph 12.8.: as from 1 September 2027, preceding-series approvals first issued after that date need not be accepted.
- Update your documents that refer to Annex 1 of R.E.3 for the “H” point procedure.
Component supplier
- For N1 vehicles under item (b) of paragraph 5.2.1.2.3., be ready for requests to meet the 34 mm ThCC limit.
Technical service / Approval authority
- For category N1, check which of items (b) and (c) of paragraph 5.2.1.2.3. applies before you assess the ThCC result.
- Be ready for type approvals under the 04 series from its official date of entry into force.
- Update test report templates that refer to Annex 1 of R.E.3 for the “H” point procedure.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.