UN R145 — 01 series of amendments

For vehicles of category M1, the scope now also covers lower tether anchorages intended for child restraint systems. Other categories of vehicles fitted with lower tether anchorages, with or without ISOFIX anchorages, now also have to comply with this Regulation. New paragraphs 2.25. to 2.32. add eight definitions, from “Lower tether anchorage (LTA)” to “FDRP”. A “Lower tether anchorage (LTA)” is “an anchorage on the vehicle seat track, or on or close to the vehicle floor to which a lower tether bracket can be attached”. A “Lower tether” is “a type of anti-rotation device intended to restrict the rearward rotation of a rearward-facing (E)CRS”. The FDRP (Force Direction Reference Point) is at the front of the ISO/R2 envelope, at a height of 300 mm from the bottom.

The application for approval now also covers the lower tether anchorages (3.1.). The drawings (3.2.1.) and the technical description (3.2.3.) now include lower tether anchorages, including lower tether brackets “(if provided by the manufacturer)”. Paragraphs 3.2.2., 3.2.4. and 3.3. now say “ISOFIX top tether anchorages and/or lower tether anchorages”. Paragraphs 3.2.1., 3.2.2. and 3.3. now name the vehicle floor contact surface also for “applications of a support leg in combination with non-ISOFIX/i-Size seating positions”. Annex 1 adds items 7 and 8: whether the vehicle type is provided with lower tether anchorages, and with lower tether brackets (Yes/No/Optional). Item 6 of Annex 1 no longer names paragraph 5.3.9. for the ISOFIX exemption; it names paragraph 5.3.8.

A vehicle type may be equipped with lower tether anchorages meeting the requirements of this Regulation (5.4.1.1.). A vehicle type may be approved without the lower tether brackets provided and/or installed by the vehicle manufacturer (5.4.1.2.). Then the LTAs that the vehicle manufacturer specifies must be approved for use with generic lower tether brackets conforming to UN Regulation No. 129. Each intended (E)CRS position may have a single or two LTAs “located within the zones shown in figures 1 to 3 of Annex 6 and according to the following specifications” (5.4.2.1.). For ISOFIX seating positions, the reference point for measurements is obtained by installing the ISO/R2 fixture in accordance with UN Regulation No. 16 (5.4.2.1.1.). For non-ISOFIX seating positions, the ISO/R2 fixture is installed with the envelope positioning procedure in new Annex 7 (5.4.2.1.2.).

LTAs may be placed under the vehicle floor if acceptable from a usability perspective, “in agreement with the Technical Service and Type Approval Authority” (5.4.2.2.). The zone intended for a support leg as defined in paragraphs 5.2.4.2. and 5.2.4.4. may not be used for lower tether anchorages (5.4.2.3.). The lower tether strap path may be rerouted; this should not affect the lower tethers' function or sensitive parts of the vehicle interior (5.4.2.4.). The LTA bracket must have a square, circular or semi-circular opening and clearance for a standard lower tether connector (Annex 4, figure 3) (5.4.3.1.). For anchorages designed for two adjacent (E)CRS positions, the bracket must allow simultaneous attachment of two standard lower tether connectors (5.4.3.2.). LTAs must be designed to avoid inadvertent injuries to passengers; LTAs in compliance with UN Regulation No. 21 and/or No. 17 “are regarded as to comply with this paragraph” (5.4.3.3.).

New paragraphs 6.3. to 6.3.5. add “Lower tether anchorage strength requirements”. A force of 2,500 N ± 50 N is applied to each lower tether anchorage bracket (6.3.3.). For anchorages designed for two adjacent (E)CRS positions, or in case of a single LTA, the force is 5,000 N ± 100 N (6.3.3.). The force direction is determined by the FDRP, with a tolerance of ± 20 mm in all directions given in figure 3 of Annex 6 (6.3.4.1.). Paragraphs 6.2.4.3. to 6.2.4.5. add a second condition for permanent deformation not to count as failure: “the deformation does not constitute an additional risk to adjacent vehicle safety components in agreement with the Technical Service and Type Approval Authority”. Paragraph 6.3.5. applies the same deformation rule to the lower tether anchorage test.

Paragraph 5.3.6. applies notwithstanding paragraph 5.3.1., in case of integrated “built in” child restraint systems. The number of ISOFIX positions to be provided must be at least two minus the number of the built-in systems that the paragraph names. Before the 01 series, the paragraph named integrated “built in” child restraint systems of mass groups 0, or 0+, or 1. It now also names the specific vehicle built-in Enhanced Child Restraint Systems for use by children up to 105 cm height.

New paragraph 12. gives transitional provisions for the 01 series of amendments. As from 1 September 2026, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept UN type-approvals to the preceding series first issued after 1 September 2026 (12.2.). As from 1 September 2027, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept type-approvals issued to the preceding series of amendments (12.3.). Notwithstanding paragraphs 12.2. and 12.3., Contracting Parties must continue to accept and extend preceding-series type-approvals for vehicle types not affected by the 01 series changes. The approval mark examples in Annex 2 now refer to the 01 series of amendments, for example approval number 011424. Footnotes that refer to the Consolidated Resolution (R.E.3) now cite document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.7 and a new web address.