UN R13H Supplement 2 (02 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 13H (ECE R13H) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of passenger cars with regard to braking.
UN R13H — Supplement 2 to the 02 series of amendments
Supplement 1 → 2
- What changed
- Vehicles without manual braking controls for normal operation are no longer excluded, and two control rules now exempt categories X and Y.
- Whilst an ADS feature is active, the warnings and other driver information that this Regulation specifies must go to the ADS.
- New paragraphs 1.1.3. and 1.1.4. of Annex 3 give test rules for vehicles with an ADS, including vehicles of categories X and Y.
- Why
- The amendments enable the type approval of automated vehicles, including vehicles without manual controls.
- The amended paragraph 5.3.3. aims to let the active ADS receive and process the warnings and fault signals for the human driver.
- Clear guidance on test requirements was deemed necessary for vehicles with an ADS, including vehicles without manual controls.
Q1What changed22 changes
Vehicles without manual braking controls and categories X and Y (paras. 1.2.4. and 5.2.2.1.)
This supplement deletes paragraph 1.2.4., so the Regulation no longer excludes vehicles without manual braking controls for normal operation. Paragraph 5.2.2.1. now exempts categories X and Y from the rule of at least two independent controls for the driver. The rule that a released brake control returns to the fully off position is now a separate paragraph that also exempts categories X and Y. The last sentence of the footnote on categories M1 and N1 now refers to R.E.3 in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8, not Rev.3, with a new web address. This editorial footnote change comes from Annex VI of the WP.29 session report, and AC.1 adopted the text as amended by that annex.
Definitions of braking equipment and transmission (paras. 2.3. and 2.5.)
In the definition of “Braking equipment” (paragraph 2.3.), the system now consists of the control (if any), the transmission and the brake proper. Before, the sentence started with “The equipment” and had no “(if any)”. In the definition of “Transmission” (paragraph 2.5.), the transmission now consists of the components between the control and/or ADS (as applicable) and the brake. Before, it named only the control and the brake.
Braking by a driver, if any, or by the ADS (paras. 5.1.2.1. to 5.1.2.3. and 5.2.2.8.)
For the service, secondary and parking braking systems (paragraphs 5.1.2.1. to 5.1.2.3.), the text now says “A driver, if any” and not “The driver”. Paragraph 5.1.2.2. also adds “or by demand from the ADS (as applicable)” after “by application of the service brake control”. In paragraph 5.2.2.8., the use of the energy reserve is now “controlled by the driver or the ADS”. The requirement for at least two completely independent energy reserves does not change. The new text of paragraph 5.1.2.2. has its last sentence two times, as in the WP.29 document.
Parking brake after the powertrain is deactivated (para. 5.2.19.4.)
After the powertrain has been deactivated and/or the key removed, it must remain possible to apply the parking braking system. Release by the parking brake control must be prevented. Before, the rule applied after the ignition/start switch for the braking equipment's electrical energy had been switched off and/or the key removed. The old text did not limit the prevented release to the parking brake control. In the next subparagraph, “remote control system” is now “remote-control system”.
Special provisions for vehicles with an Automated Driving System (paras. 5.3., 5.3.3. and 5.3.4.)
Paragraph 5.3. now applies to the braking system of any vehicle with an Automated Driving System, without the old exception for Automated Lane Keeping Systems. Whilst an ADS feature is active, the warnings and other driver information that this Regulation specifies, also from a trailer, must go to the ADS. Before, the rule was that detected faults go to the ADS whilst the ADS is active. How existing detected faults reach the ADS before an ADS feature becomes active must be documented by the manufacturer and demonstrated under Annex 8. Without prejudice to other applicable regulations, paragraph 5.3.4. lets braking controls and their transmission links be disabled or disconnected whilst an ADS feature is active.
Braking tests for vehicles of categories X and Y (Annex 3, para. 1.1.3.)
New paragraph 1.1.3. of Annex 3 requires all tests and requirements of this annex for vehicles of categories X and Y. Without manual driving controls, the braking tests must use dedicated activation methods, for example a test mode to control or trigger the braking functions manually. Another method is possible if the manufacturer and the technical service agree, and if the evaluation accurately reflects real-world ADS braking performance. Where the annex tells you to actuate a control or apply a force, this means a braking demand through the selected activation method. The manufacturer must demonstrate that the test activation method replicates ADS braking performance accurately. The test report must describe the method in detail and record the braking demand with the results of each test.
Tests for other vehicles with an ADS (Annex 3, para. 1.1.4.) and a corrected reference (Annex 4, para. 1.2.3.6.)
Under new paragraph 1.1.4. of Annex 3, ADS vehicles other than category X or Y must be tested at least in manual driving mode. Tests in ADS mode are not necessary if the manufacturer shows the technical service the same braking performance with ADS braking demands. But if the technical service asks, tests to confirm this must be done. In Annex 4, paragraph 1.2.3.6. now refers to the Type-0 dynamic testing in accordance with Annex 3, not Annex 4.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Task force on regulatory fitness for Automated Driving System (TF FADS)
- Working party
- GRVA, 23rd session (September 2025) and 24th session (January 2026)
Reasons
The proposal includes vehicles without manual braking controls for normal operation. The aim is safety and uniformity in approval for all types of passenger cars, including vehicles with an ADS.
Source
“To ensure safety and uniformity in approval processes for all types of passenger cars, including ADS equipped vehicles, it is proposed to include vehicles which are not equipped with manual braking controls intended for use during normal operation.”
The amended paragraph 5.3.3. aims to let the active ADS receive and process warnings and fault signals that would otherwise go to the human driver. The ADS can then use the same information that a human driver would receive. The aim is consistent reactions, for example emergency procedures or adaptive braking responses when faults are detected.
Sources (3)
“The proposed amendment to the existing paragraph 5.3.3. aim to ensure that the ADS, when active, can appropriately receive and process critical vehicle information, specifically warnings and fault signals that would otherwise be directed to the human driver.”
“By transmitting all fault and warning signals to the ADS, the system can log, monitor, and use these inputs to interpret the same information that a human driver would receive”
“ensuring consistency in reactions, such as triggering emergency procedures or adaptive braking responses when faults are detected.”
Clear guidance on the test requirements was deemed necessary for vehicles with an ADS, with or without manual controls. The aim is that all vehicles in the scope of the Regulation can be assessed fairly and type-approved under the same regulatory framework.
Sources (2)
“It has been deemed necessary to provide clear guidance on testing requirements for ADS equipped vehicles, including those without manual controls (Category X or Y)”
“This aims to ensure that all types of vehicles covered by this regulation can be fairly assessed and type-approved under the same regulatory framework.”
Proposer's reason (informal document GRVA-23-15)
In the first phase of the task force work, ALKS vehicles were left out of the special requirements for vehicles with an ADS. The aim was to make sure that the amendments to UN Regulation No. 13-H did not affect existing vehicles. The task force could not identify any provision in paragraph 5.3. that ALKS vehicles should not already have to meet under UN Regulation No. 157. Therefore, the proposal removes this reference to ALKS and treats ALKS vehicles like any other ADS vehicles.
Submitted by the co-chair of TF FADS. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/23, para. 23.
Sources (3)
“ALKS vehicles were omitted from the "special requirements for vehicles equipped with an ADS" in order to be sure that the amendments to UN Regulation No. 13-H would not impact existing vehicles.”
“the Task Force has not been able to identify any provision within paragraph 5.3. that ALKS vehicles should not already have to meet according to the requirements of UN Regulation No. 157.”
“Therefore, it is proposed to remove this reference and treat ALKS vehicles like any other ADS vehicles”
Proposer's reason (informal document GRVA-24-23)
In paragraph 5.1.2.2., the task force proposed the changes that are necessary to apply the secondary braking system provisions to an ADS. Without these changes, the application of the provisions to an ADS would conflict with the original wording of the paragraph.
Submitted by the co-chairs of TF FADS. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/24, para. 35.
Sources (2)
“This proposal aims to correct an unintended modification of the text of UN Regulation No. 13-H, paragraph 5.1.2.2., regarding secondary braking system”
“The purple text introduces required changes for the application of the secondary braking system provisions to an ADS, which would otherwise conflict with the original wording (blue text).”
Document trail
- 2025-07ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2025/40Proposal by the task force on regulatory fitness for ADS
- —Amended in sessionGRVA-23-15Amendments to the proposal by TF FADS, including paragraph 5.3.
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/23GRVA session report, para. 23
- —Amended in sessionGRVA-24-23Correction to paragraph 5.1.2.2. of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/8 by TF FADS
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/24GRVA session report, para. 35
- 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/8/Rev.1Text that GRVA sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- —Amended in sessionWP.29-199-10Amendments for the AC.1 vote, reproduced in Annex VI of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1192
- 2026-06-24WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1192Adopted at the 199th session (session report, para. 103)
- PendingIn forceDate not yet known
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- Check your vehicles without manual braking controls against this Regulation, because paragraph 1.2.4. is deleted.
- If your vehicle has an Automated Lane Keeping System, check it against the special provisions for vehicles with an ADS.
- Test that the parking brake control cannot release the parking brake after powertrain deactivation or key removal.
- Make sure the warnings and driver information specified in this Regulation reach the ADS whilst an ADS feature is active.
- Document how existing detected faults reach the ADS before an ADS feature becomes active. Prepare the demonstration of this in accordance with Annex 8.
- If you disable braking controls whilst an ADS feature is active, check the requirements of other applicable regulations (paragraph 5.3.4.).
- For X and Y vehicles without manual driving controls, choose a dedicated activation method for the Annex 3 braking tests. Demonstrate that it replicates ADS braking performance accurately.
- Test ADS vehicles outside categories X and Y at least in the manual driving mode (Annex 3, paragraph 1.1.4.). If you skip tests in ADS mode, show the technical service that ADS braking demands give the same braking performance.
- Update your documents that quote the text of paragraphs 2.3., 2.5., 5.2.2.1., 5.2.19.4. or 5.3.3.
Component supplier
- Make sure that your braking system sends driver warnings and information to the ADS when an ADS feature is active.
- If you supply parking brake controls, block release by the control after powertrain deactivation or key removal.
- Support a test mode or another activation method for braking tests on X and Y vehicles without manual driving controls.
- Give the vehicle manufacturer updated system documents for the changed paragraphs 5.2.2.8., 5.2.19.4. and 5.3.3.
Technical service / Approval authority
- Use a dedicated activation method for the braking tests on vehicles of categories X and Y without manual driving controls.
- Agree any other activation method with the manufacturer only if the evaluation reflects real-world ADS braking performance accurately.
- Include a detailed description of the activation method in the test report. Record the braking demand with the results of each test.
- If necessary, ask for tests to confirm that ADS braking demands give the same braking performance (Annex 3, paragraph 1.1.4.).
- Assess, in accordance with Annex 8, how existing detected faults reach the ADS before an ADS feature becomes active.
- When you do the Type-0 dynamic testing of Annex 4, paragraph 1.2.3.6., do it in accordance with Annex 3.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.