UN R166 Supplement 1 (01 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 166 (ECE R166) — Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Devices and Motor Vehicles with Regard to the Driver’s Awareness of Vulnerable Road Users in Close-Proximity to the Front and Lateral Sides of Vehicles.
UN R166 — Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments
Base text → Supplement 1
- What changed
- New paragraph 1.1.5. says that this UN Regulation does not apply to vehicles of category Y. It also does not apply to vehicles of category X without a manual mode which is intended to be operated on-board the vehicle.
- Paragraph 15. adds a rule for category X vehicles with a manual mode intended to be operated on-board the vehicle, not using a driver’s seat. These vehicles may fulfil alternative requirements, in agreement with the Technical Service and Type Approval Authority. The condition: the manufacturer, with the safety concept defined for manual operation, can demonstrate safety equivalent to the requirements of paragraphs 15 to 17.
- Paragraph 15.2.2., paragraph 1.3.3.2. of Annex 9 and two footnotes now cite document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.7.
- Why
- Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments is introduced to take into account vehicles of categories X and Y.
- The UN Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls. In the absence of a driver in the vehicle, there is no need to fulfil any of the requirements of this UN Regulation.
- With manual operation onboard other than seated in a driver’s seat, a vehicle cannot meet certain provisions related to the driver’s seat and its R-point. Therefore, alternative provisions apply.
Q1What changed14 changes
New paragraphs 0.1. to 0.1.2.
New paragraph 0.1. says that Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments is introduced to take into account vehicles of categories X and Y. Paragraph 0.1.1. exempts category Y vehicles, and category X vehicles without a manual mode intended to be operated on-board the vehicle, from the scope. Paragraph 0.1.2. lists three manual modes considered for vehicles of category X equipped with a manual mode. Vehicles with manual operation by a Remote-Control device intended to be operated in close proximity of the vehicle are exempted from the scope. For manual operation seated in a driver’s seat, the general provisions of this UN Regulation apply. For manual operation onboard the vehicle other than seated in a driver’s seat, for example standing while using a joystick, alternative provisions apply.
Exemption of category Y, and category X without an on-board manual mode (para. 1.1.5.)
New paragraph 1.1.5. says that this UN Regulation does not apply to vehicles of category Y. It also does not apply to vehicles of category X without a manual mode which is intended to be operated on-board the vehicle.
Alternative requirements for vehicles of category X (para. 15.) and “Safety Concept” definition (para. 12.7.)
Paragraph 15. adds a rule for category X vehicles with a manual mode intended to be operated on-board the vehicle, not using a driver’s seat. These vehicles may fulfil alternative requirements, in agreement with the Technical Service and Type Approval Authority. The condition: the manufacturer, with the safety concept defined for manual operation, can demonstrate safety equivalent to the requirements of paragraphs 15 to 17. The alternative provisions that are applied and the vehicle’s performance must be duly described in the Test Report. New paragraph 12.7. defines “Safety Concept”.
References to R.E.3 (para. 15.2.2., Annex 9 and footnotes)
Paragraph 15.2.2. and paragraph 1.3.3.2. of Annex 9 now refer to document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.7 for the vehicle in running order. The footnote on the distinguishing numbers of the Contracting Parties now cites ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.7. Footnote 1, used in paragraphs 0.1., 1.1.1. and 1.1.2., now cites ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.7.
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 1 to the 01 series of amendments is introduced to take into account vehicles of categories X and Y.
Source
“Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments is introduced to take into account vehicles of categories X and Y1”
The UN Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls. In the absence of a driver in the vehicle, there is no need to fulfil any of its requirements. Therefore, category Y vehicles, and category X vehicles without a manual mode intended to be operated on-board the vehicle, are exempted from its scope.
Sources (3)
“The UN Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls.”
“In the absence of a driver in the vehicle, there is no need to fulfil any of the requirements of this UN Regulation”
“therefore vehicles of category Y as well as vehicles of category X that do not have a manual mode, intended to be operated on-board the vehicle, are exempted from the scope of this Regulation.”
Paragraph 0.1.2. considers manual operation onboard the vehicle other than seated in a driver’s seat, for example standing while using a joystick. Such a vehicle cannot meet certain provisions related to the driver’s seat and its R-point. Therefore, alternative provisions apply.
Sources (2)
“Manual operation onboard the vehicle other than seated in a driver’s seat (e.g. standing while using a joystick).”
“Vehicle cannot meet certain provisions related to the driver’s seat and its R-point. Therefore, alternative provisions apply.”
Document trail
- 2026-01ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2026/16Proposal by the expert from the Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of TF-AVRS
- —RevisedGRSG-131-41Revised TF-AVRS proposal that replaced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2026/16
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/110GRSG session report, para. 37
- 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/131Text that GRSG 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 whether paragraph 1.1.5. excludes your category Y vehicles, or category X vehicles without an on-board manual mode.
- For paragraph 15. alternative requirements, demonstrate safety equivalent to paragraphs 15 to 17 with the safety concept for manual operation.
Component supplier
- No direct action for this role.
Technical service / Approval authority
- In the case of paragraph 15., be ready to assess the alternative requirements and the manufacturer's equivalent level of safety.
- In the case of paragraph 15., make sure the Test Report describes the alternative provisions applied and the vehicle’s performance.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.