UN R161 Supplement 6 (00 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 161 (ECE R161) — Uniform provisions concerning the protection of motor vehicles against unauthorized use and the approval of the device against unauthorized use (by mean of a locking system).
UN R161 — Supplement 6 to the 00 series of amendments
Supplement 5 → 6
- What changed
- New paragraphs 0. and 0.1. to 0.1.2. add an Introduction on vehicles of category X and Y and on vehicles equipped with an ADS. New paragraphs 2.13. and 2.14. define ADSF-1 and ADSF-2.
- For a system which locks brakes (para. 2.5.), deactivation must not automatically release the brakes unless a driver or an ADS specifically requests it.
- In Annex 9, the requirements in paragraph 4.3.1. also do not apply “for vehicles of categories X and Y”. They also do not apply “when an ADSF-2 is activated by an authorized registered digital key”.
- Why
- Supplement 6 is introduced to take into account vehicles of category X and Y. It also takes into account other vehicles with a manual mode operating at speeds above 6 km/h which are equipped with an ADS.
- The amendment intends to extend the application of the UN Regulation to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls in the vehicle.
Q1What changed16 changes
New Introduction: the purpose of Supplement 6 (paras 0. and 0.1.)
New paragraph 0. adds an Introduction to the Regulation. Paragraph 0.1. says that Supplement 6 to the original version is introduced to take into account vehicles of category X and Y. It also takes into account “other vehicles with a manual mode operating at speeds above 6 km/h which are equipped with an automated Driving System (ADS)”.
Vehicles without a driver and manual driving controls, and vehicles with an ADS (paras 0.1.1. and 0.1.2.)
Paragraph 0.1.1. says that the UN Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls. The amendment intends to keep the spirit of the UN Regulation. It also intends to extend its application to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls in the vehicle. In the absence of “driver/manual driving controls” in the vehicle, provisions related to them must not be taken into account if not already covered by this amendment. Paragraph 0.1.2. says that, for vehicles equipped with an ADS, no special provisions or exemptions apply in a manual driving mode. In a mode where an ADS feature is active, the relevant ADS requirements apply.
New definitions of ADSF-1 and ADSF-2 (paras 2.13. and 2.14.)
New paragraph 2.13. defines “ADS feature of type 1 (ADSF-1)” as an ADS feature which includes an ADS fallback response requiring a fallback user. New paragraph 2.14. defines “ADS feature of type 2 (ADSF-2)” as an ADS feature which does not include an ADS fallback response requiring a fallback user.
Device to prevent unauthorized use: definition and brake release (para. 2.5.)
In the definition of “Device to prevent unauthorized use” in paragraph 2.5., the words “a locking system” are now “a system”. For a system which locks brakes, deactivation must not automatically release the brakes unless a driver or an ADS specifically requests it. Before, deactivation must not automatically release the brakes “contrary to the driver's intention”.
Digital keys: new cases where paragraph 4.3.1. does not apply (Annex 9, para. 4.3.2.)
In Annex 9, paragraph 4.3.2. now lists three cases where the requirements in paragraph 4.3.1. do not apply. The new cases are (b) for vehicles of categories X and Y, and (c) when an ADSF-2 is activated by an authorized registered digital key. Case (a), during a remote-control manoeuvring and remote-control parking as defined in UN Regulation No. 79, was already in paragraph 4.3.2.
References to R.E.3 in four footnotes
Four footnotes that refer to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) now cite document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.6. They also give a new web address.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Expert from the Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of the Task Force on Automated Vehicles Regulatory Screening (TF-AVRS)
- Working party
- GRSG, 131st session (April 2026)
Reasons
Supplement 6 to the original version is introduced to take into account vehicles of category X and Y. It also takes into account other vehicles with a manual mode operating at speeds above 6 km/h which are equipped with an ADS.
Sources (2)
“Supplement 6 to the original version is introduced to take into account vehicles of category X and Y1”
“as well as other vehicles with a manual mode operating at speeds above 6 km/h which are equipped with an automated Driving System (ADS)1”
The UN Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls. The amendment intends to keep the spirit of the UN Regulation. It also intends to extend the application of the UN Regulation to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls in the vehicle.
Sources (2)
“The UN Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls.”
“It is the intention of this amendment to keep the spirit of the UN Regulation and to extend its application to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls in the vehicle.”
Document trail
- 2026-01ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2026/13Proposal by the expert from the Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of TF-AVRS
- —RevisedGRSG-131-38Revised TF-AVRS proposal that replaced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2026/13
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/110GRSG session report, para. 37
- 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/128Text that GRSG sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- 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
- For brake-locking systems, check deactivation does not automatically release the brakes unless a driver or an ADS specifically requests it.
- In Annex 9, check if case (b) or (c) of paragraph 4.3.2. means paragraph 4.3.1. does not apply
Component supplier
- No direct action for this role.
Technical service / Approval authority
- For brake-locking systems, test that deactivation does not automatically release the brakes without a specific driver or ADS request.
- For a vehicle without driver/manual driving controls, leave out related provisions that this amendment does not already cover (para. 0.1.1.).
See every change side by side
RegVault customers compare every version of UN regulations, read the consolidated text and download the PDF.
ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.