UN R16 Base text (08 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 16 (ECE R16) — Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of: Safety-Belts and Restraint Systems, for Occupants of Power-Driven Vehicles.
UN R16 — 08 series of amendments
Changes from 07 series of amendments (supplement 4)
- What changed
- No other information may be on the airbag warning label unless it is outside a clearly marked rectangle of at least the required overall dimensions.
- Owner's manuals no longer need the warning text in all official languages of the countries where the vehicle could reasonably be expected to be registered.
- From 1 September 2020, Contracting Parties need not accept type approvals to the preceding series first issued on or after that date.
- Why
- It has become evident that some vehicle manufacturers add random information to the airbag warning label, to the detriment of child safety.
- It seems that there are diverging interpretations of the pictogram wording and that altered versions are being authorised.
- The expert from OICA suggested adopting the proposal as a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 instead of a Supplement.
Q1What changed45 changes
Airbag information and the “AIRBAG” inscription (paras. 8.1.8. and 8.1.8.1.)
New paragraph 8.1.8. requires the vehicle to carry information to the effect that it is equipped with frontal protection airbags for seats. If an airbag assembly is intended to protect the driver, this information is the inscription “AIRBAG” inside the circumference of the steering wheel. This inscription must be durably affixed and easily visible. Former paragraphs 8.1.8., 8.1.9. and 8.1.10. become paragraphs 8.1.8.2., 8.1.8.3. and 8.1.8.4. Former paragraph 8.1.11. becomes paragraph 8.1.9.
Two-point belt conditions and the driver’s seat (para. 8.1.7.4.)
New paragraph 8.1.7.4. says that paragraphs 8.1.7.1. to 8.1.7.3. do not apply to a driver’s seat. Paragraph 8.1.7. requires three-point belts of a type specified in Annex 16 for every seating position in Annex 16 marked with the symbol ●. If one of the listed conditions is fulfilled, two-point belts of a type specified in Annex 16 may be provided.
Warning label against rearward-facing child restraints (para. 8.1.8.2.)
Paragraph 8.1.8.2. no longer says “As a minimum” before the requirement for a label with clear warning pictograms. No other type of information may be on the label unless it is outside a clearly marked rectangle with at least the required overall dimensions. A part number, bar code or similar identification mark not exceeding 8 mm x 35 mm or the equivalent area may be on the label. No deviations in the shape and orientation of the provided pictograms are permitted, and any customised appearance of the prescribed pictogram images is prohibited. The hand with pointing index finger and the open face booklet with letter 'i' on its right page are exceptions, if clearly recognisable as such. Small irregularities concerning line thickness, label imprinting and other relevant production tolerances must be accepted.
Position of the warning (para. 8.1.8.3.)
Paragraph 8.1.8.3. now refers to a frontal protection airbag “placed before the front passenger seats”, not “in the front passenger seat”. For other seats, it now says “other passenger seats”. Paragraphs 8.1.8.2. and 8.1.8.3. do not apply to passenger seating positions equipped with a device which automatically deactivates the frontal protection airbag assembly. The device does this when any rearward facing child restraint is installed. Before, this exemption referred to “seating positions” and to paragraph 8.1.8.
Owner's manual text and languages (para. 8.1.8.4.)
The owner's manual of the vehicle must contain detailed information that makes reference to the warning. As a minimum, this information must include at least the text that starts “NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint”. Paragraph 8.1.8.4. no longer requires this text in all official languages of the countries where the vehicle could reasonably be expected to be registered. A new footnote says that, unrelated to type approval, Contracting Parties may specify in which languages the text must be provided. This applies to each vehicle placed on the market at the point of sale within their territory.
Acceptance of approvals to the 08 series and to preceding series (paras. 15.5. to 15.5.6.)
From the official entry into force of the 08 series, no Contracting Party may refuse to grant or refuse to accept approvals under it. From 1 September 2020, Contracting Parties need not accept type approvals to the preceding series first issued on or after 1 September 2020. Until 1 September 2022, they must accept type approvals to the preceding series first issued before 1 September 2020. From 1 September 2022, they need not accept type approvals issued to the preceding series. Notwithstanding paragraph 15.5.3., such approvals of safety-belts and restraint systems, and for vehicles not affected by the 08 series changes, must continue to be accepted. They must not refuse to grant type approvals according to any preceding series of amendments or extensions thereof.
Arrangements of the approval marks (Annex 2)
The approval marks in Annex 2 now refer to the 08 series of amendments. For example, the approval number 072439 is now 082439. The safety-belt approval mark texts now refer to the 06, 07 or 08 series of amendments at the time of approval.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Expert from the European Commission
- Working party
- GRSP, 63rd session (May 2018)
Reasons
It has become evident that some vehicle manufacturers add random information to the airbag warning label, to the detriment of child safety. This dilutes the compulsory information aimed to protect children transported in cars.
Sources (2)
“It has become evident that some vehicle manufacturers are adding random information to the airbag warning label to the detriment of child safety.”
“This dilutes the compulsory information aimed to protect children transported in cars.”
It seems that the wording on pictogram images (‘grouped, exact or larger’) has diverging interpretations. Pictogram images do not appear exactly as prescribed, and it seems that altered versions are being authorised despite the clear rules.
Sources (2)
“Moreover, it seems that there are diverging interpretations on the wording: ‘pictogram images shall be grouped, exact or larger’.”
“Notably, pictogram images do not appear exactly as prescribed by the relevant regulations. It seems that altered versions are being authorised despite the clear rules”
Clarifications on what is and what is not permitted are deemed necessary. Their purpose is to provide the same harmonized basis for all those involved in the development, production and approval process of the warning labels.
Source
“To provide the same harmonized basis for all those involved in the development, production and approval process of the warning labels, clarifications on what is and what is not permitted are deemed necessary.”
For simplification, it was requested to include the relevant provisions only in Regulation No. 16 and to delete them from Regulations Nos. 94 and 137.
Source
“For simplification purposes, it was requested to include the relevant provisions only in Regulation No. 16, and to delete them from Regulations Nos. 94 and 137.”
The expert from OICA suggested adopting the proposal as a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 instead of a Supplement. He also underlined the problem of translation in all languages of the owner's manual information that makes reference to the warning.
Sources (2)
“He suggested that the proposal should be adopted as a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 (Safety-belts) instead of a Supplement”
“He also underlined the problem of translation in all languages of the detailed information, which makes reference to the warning, that should be contained in the owner's manual.”
Document trail
- 2017-09ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2017/27Collective proposal by the expert from the European Commission
- —ProposalGRSP-62-14Alternative proposal by the expert from OICA
- —Amended in sessionGRSP-63-01-Rev.1Changes by the expert from the European Commission to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2017/27
- —ProposalGRSP-63-23Proposal by the expert from Germany on the safety-belt of the driver's seat
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/63GRSP session report, paras. 18 and 42 and Annex X
- 2018-08Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/141Text that GRSP adopted and sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- 2018-11WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1142Adopted at the 176th session (session report, para. 172)
- 2019-05-28In forceC.N.248.2019.TREATIES-XI.B.16.16UN depositary notification
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- Keep other information outside the clearly marked rectangle on the warning label, except a permitted identification mark (para. 8.1.8.2.).
- Make sure that pictograms keep the prescribed shape and orientation, apart from the exceptions in paragraph 8.1.8.2.
- For a driver airbag assembly, put a durably affixed, easily visible “AIRBAG” inscription inside the steering wheel circumference (para. 8.1.8.1.).
- Do not apply paragraphs 8.1.7.1. to 8.1.7.3. to a driver’s seat (para. 8.1.7.4.).
- Plan new type approvals to the 08 series, because of the 1 September 2020 date in paragraph 15.5.1.
Component supplier
- Compare the approval marks for 08 series approvals with the updated examples in Annex 2.
Technical service / Approval authority
- Check that other information on the warning label is outside the clearly marked rectangle, except a permitted identification mark.
- Accept small irregularities concerning line thickness, label imprinting and other relevant production tolerances on the label (para. 8.1.8.2.).
- Check that paragraphs 8.1.7.1. to 8.1.7.3. are not applied to a driver’s seat (para. 8.1.7.4.).
- Check the first issue date of approvals to the preceding series against the dates in paragraphs 15.5.1. and 15.5.2.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.
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