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UN R168 Supplement 1 (01 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 168 (ECE R168) — Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of light duty passenger and commercial vehicles with regards to real driving emissions (RDE).

UN R168 — Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments

Base text → Supplement 1

Adopted at the WP.29 199th sessionEntry into force not yet known
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What changed
  • New paragraph 9.3.5. says that for vehicles of categories X and Y, all tests in this Regulation must be conducted and all respective requirements fulfilled. RDE tests must use dedicated methods, ensuring that the test accurately reflects normal driving patterns.
  • Under paragraph 9.3.5.1., vehicles equipped with an ADS, other than those of categories X and Y, are tested at least in the manual driving mode. Tests in ADS mode are not needed if the manufacturer can demonstrate the same level of compliance whilst an ADS feature is active. However, testing to check this must be performed at the request of the Type Approval Authority.
  • For vehicles of categories X and Y, the mass of the driver is not included in the mass in running order (para. 3.3.3.).
Why
  • The changes incorporate vehicles with Automated Driving Systems into the existing Regulation.
  • Vehicles of categories X and Y do not have a driver. Therefore, the mass of the driver should not be included in the mass in running order.
  • “User-selectable mode” covers both human driver and ADS user input. “Acceleration demand” includes vehicles of categories X and Y, which might not have an accelerator pedal.

Q1What changed20 changes

New footnote 1 in the scope (paras. 1.1. and 1.2.) and R.E.3 Rev.8 references

Paragraphs 1.1. and 1.2. now refer to new footnote 1. New footnote 1 reads “As defined in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8”. The footnote on the distinguishing numbers of the Contracting Parties now cites ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.6, with a changed web link.

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Mass of the driver and “(if applicable)” (paras. 3.3., 3.3.3. and 8.3.1., Figure 3, Annex 1 note (h))

The definition of “mass in running order” in paragraph 3.3.3. now ends: “For vehicles of categories X and Y the mass of the driver shall not be included.” Note “a” of Figure 3 has the same new sentence. The heading of paragraph 3.3. now reads “Vehicle characteristics and driver (if applicable)”. In paragraph 8.3.1., the vehicle's test mass now comprises the driver “(if applicable)”. In Annex 1, explanatory note (h) now says that the mass of the driver (if applicable) is assessed at 75 kg.

Vehicle characteristics and driver (if applicable)
"Mass in running order" means the mass of the vehicle, with its fuel tank(s) filled to at least 90 per cent of its or their capacity/capacities, including the mass of the driver, fuel and liquids, fitted with the standard equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and, when they are fitted, the mass of the bodywork, the cabin, the coupling and the spare wheel(s) as well as the tools. For vehicles of categories X and Y the mass of the driver shall not be included.
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Selectable modes and an active ADS feature in the vehicle condition (para. 8.3.1.)

Under paragraph 8.3.1., all vehicles and in particular OVC-HEVs may be tested in any selectable mode, including battery charge mode and/or an active ADS feature. The words “and/or an active ADS feature” are new. The dedicated modes for very special limited purposes are now “user-selectable” instead of “driver-selectable” modes. The sentence on modifications that affect the vehicle aerodynamics keeps its wording but now follows the text on selectable modes.

All vehicles, and in particular OVC-HEVs vehicles may be tested in any selectable mode, including battery charge mode and/or an active ADS1 feature. On the basis of technical evidence provided by the manufacturer and with the agreement of the responsible authority, the dedicated driver-selectable user-selectable modes for very special limited purposes shall not be considered (e.g. maintenance mode, race driving, crawler mode). All remaining modes used for forward and for rearwards driving where road and traffic conditions demand this may be considered and the criteria emissions limits shall be fulfilled in all these modes. Modifications that affect the vehicle aerodynamics are not permitted, with the exception of the PEMS installation.
Modifications that affect the vehicle aerodynamics are not permitted, with the exception of the PEMS installation. The tyre types and pressure shall be according to the vehicle's manufacturer recommendations. The tyre pressure shall be checked prior to the pre-conditioning and adjusted to the recommended values if needed. Driving the vehicle with snow chains is not permitted.

“Acceleration demand” instead of pedal position (para. 8.3.1., Annex 4, Table A4/1)

In paragraph 8.3.1., the further vehicle data parameters for the verification of normal driving now name “acceleration demand” instead of “accelerator pedal position”. In Table A4/1 of Annex 4, the row “Pedal position” is now “Acceleration demand”.

The test vehicles shall not be driven with the intention to generate a passed or failed test due to extreme driving that do not represent normal conditions of use. If necessary, verification of normal driving may be based on expert judgement made by or on behalf of the granting type approval authority through cross-correlation on several signals, which may include exhaust flow rate, exhaust temperature, CO2, O2 etc. in combination with vehicle speed, acceleration and GNSS data and potentially further vehicle data parameters like engine speed, gear, accelerator pedal position acceleration demand etc.
Pedal position Acceleration demand

Annex 1: Level of approval and user-selectable modes (Parts 1 and 2, item 12.10.)

Parts 1 and 2 of Annex 1 have a new entry: “Level of approval being applied for (L1A, L1B, L2): …”. In Part 2, item 12.10. now says “user-selectable modes” instead of “driver selectable modes”.

Level of approval being applied for (L1A, L1B, L2): …
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Special provisions for vehicles of categories X and Y (para. 9.3.5.)

New paragraph 9.3.5. sets special provisions for vehicles equipped with an ADS. For vehicles of categories X and Y, all tests in this Regulation must be conducted, and all respective requirements must be fulfilled. RDE tests must be conducted using dedicated methods, ensuring that the test accurately reflects normal driving patterns. Dedicated methods may include way points for the test route, different modes or any other method subject to agreement between manufacturer and Type Approval Authority.

Special provisions for vehicles equipped with an ADS
For vehicles of categories X and Y, all tests in this Regulation shall be conducted, and all respective requirements shall be fulfilled. RDE tests shall be conducted using dedicated methods, which may include assigning way points to define the test route, selection of different modes or any other method subject to agreement between the vehicle manufacturer and the Type Approval Authority, ensuring that the test accurately reflects normal driving patterns.

Tests of other vehicles equipped with an ADS (para. 9.3.5.1.)

Paragraph 9.3.5.1. covers vehicles equipped with an ADS, other than those of categories X and Y. For these vehicles, the tests in this annex must be performed at least in the manual driving mode. Tests in ADS mode are not needed if the manufacturer can demonstrate the same level of compliance whilst an ADS feature is active. The manufacturer makes this demonstration to the Type Approval Authority. However, testing to check this must be performed at the request of the Type Approval Authority.

For vehicles equipped with an ADS, other than those of categories X and Y, the tests in this annex shall be performed at least in the manual driving mode. Tests do not have to be performed in ADS mode providing the manufacturer can demonstrate to the Type Approval Authority that the same level of compliance is achieved whilst an ADS feature is active. However, testing to verify this shall be performed at the request of the Type Approval Authority.
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Q2Why it changed

Proposed by
Task Force on Automated Vehicles Regulations Screening (AVRS); experts from OICA (Level of approval entry in Annex 1)
Working party
GRPE, 94th session (March 2026)

Reasons

  • The changes incorporate vehicles with Automated Driving Systems into the existing Regulation. The references to R.E.3 are updated to include ADS equipped vehicles in the scope. Revision 8 of R.E.3 introduces vehicle categories X and Y. These vehicles are not capable to be driven manually above 6 km/h.

    Sources (3)
    “The document introduces changes required to incorporate vehicles with Automated Driving Systems into the existing Regulation.”
    “References to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.) are updated to include ADS equipped vehicles in the scope.”
    “Vehicle categories X and Y are introduced in Revision 8 of R.E.3, prepared by the Task Force on Automated Vehicle Categorisation (TF-AVC) under GRSG and GRVA, and are not capable to be driven manually above 6 km/h.”

  • Driver related definitions might not be applicable for vehicles equipped with an ADS, so paragraph 3.3. notes this. Vehicles of categories X and Y do not have a driver. Therefore, the mass of the driver should not be included in the mass in running order.

    Sources (2)
    “Driver related definitions might not be applicable in the case of vehicles equipped with an ADS, therefore it was noted for paragraph 3.3.”
    “Vehicles of categories X and Y do not have a driver, therefore the mass of the driver should not be included into the mass in running order.”

  • Vehicles equipped with an ADS are added to the existing provisions on vehicle condition. New paragraphs 9.3.5. and 9.3.5.1. address their testing.

    Source
    “Vehicles equipped with an ADS were incorporated into the existing provisions on vehicle condition and new paragraphs 9.3.5. and 9.3.5.1. were added to address their testing.”

  • “Driver-selectable mode” is changed to “user-selectable mode” to cover both human driver and ADS user input. Accelerator pedal and pedal position are changed to acceleration demand to include vehicles of categories X and Y, which might not have an accelerator pedal.

    Sources (2)
    ““Driver-selectable mode” was changed to “user-selectable mode” to cover both human driver and ADS user input.”
    “Accelerator pedal and pedal position was changed to acceleration demand to include vehicles of categories X and Y, which might not have an accelerator pedal.”

  • Proposer's reason (informal document GRPE-94-16)

    At its 93rd session, GRPE adopted a proposal for the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 168. This proposal includes a Level concept (L1A, L1B, L2) similar to UN Regulation No. 154. The new entry in the manufacturer’s information document specifies which Level of approval is applied for.

    Submitted by Experts from OICA. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/94, para. 27.

    Sources (3)
    “During its 93rd session, GRPE adopted a proposal for the 01 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 168”
    “which inter alia includes the introduction of a Level concept (i.e. L1A, L1B, L2) similar to UN Regulation No. 154.”
    “This document proposes to introduce a new entry into the manufacturer’s information document to specify which Level of approval is applied for.”

Document trail

  1. 2026-01ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2026/15Proposal by the Task Force on Automated Vehicles Regulations Screening (AVRS)
  2. —RevisedGRPE-94-16Proposal by the experts from OICA to amend GRPE/2026/15
  3. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/94GRPE session report, para. 27
  4. 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/154Text that GRPE sent to WP.29 and AC.1
  5. —Amended in sessionWP.29-199-10Amendments for the AC.1 vote, reproduced in Annex VI of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1192
  6. 2026-06-24WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1192Adopted at the 199th session (session report, para. 103)
  7. PendingIn forceDate not yet known

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

  • For vehicles of categories X and Y, plan RDE tests with dedicated methods that reflect normal driving patterns (para. 9.3.5.).
  • Under paragraph 9.3.5.1., to skip ADS-mode tests, demonstrate the same compliance level whilst an ADS feature is active.
  • For vehicles of categories X and Y, exclude the driver mass from the mass in running order (para. 3.3.3.).
  • In Annex 1, give the Level of approval being applied for (L1A, L1B, L2).

Component supplier

  • No direct action for this role.

Technical service / Approval authority

  • Under paragraph 9.3.5.1., test ADS vehicles, other than categories X and Y, at least in the manual driving mode.
  • Be ready to test in ADS mode when the Type Approval Authority requests verification under paragraph 9.3.5.1.
  • Be ready for RDE tests with an active ADS feature, which the vehicle condition rules now allow.

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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.

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