UN R17 — 11 series of amendments

Forward-facing seats fitted or intended to be fitted with a head restraint in other seating positions and other in-scope vehicle categories must meet this Regulation. New paragraph 5.4.3. sets this rule notwithstanding paragraphs 5.4.1. and 5.4.2. Paragraph 5.4.1. no longer says that seats with head restraints for other seating positions and vehicle categories may also be approved. Paragraph 5.4.2. now also says that, alternatively, seats fitted with head restraints in these categories of vehicles may comply with this Regulation. Paragraph 1. now says that vehicles of other categories may also be approved for the strength of seats and anchorages and for head restraints.

The title of paragraph 5.7.4. is now “Head restraint height retention” instead of “Adjustable head restraint height retention”. The requirement now covers the mechanism of the adjustable head restraint or any head restraint fulfilling one of the additional requirements described under paragraph 5.8.4. Before, it covered only the mechanism of the adjustable head restraint. When tested to Annex 13, the mechanism must not fail in a way that lets the head restraint move down by more than 25 mm. In Annex 13, paragraph 2.1. now says “Adjust the head restraint in the normal position of use or in case of an adjustable head restraint”. Before, it said “Adjust the adjustable head restraint”.

From the official date of entry into force of the 11 series, no Contracting Party may refuse to grant or accept approvals to it. From 1 September 2026, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept approvals to the preceding series first issued on or after 1 September 2026. Until 1 September 2028, Contracting Parties must accept approvals to the preceding series first issued before 1 September 2026. From 1 September 2028, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept type approvals issued to the preceding series of amendments. Notwithstanding paragraph 13.14.3., Contracting Parties must continue to accept approvals to the preceding series for vehicles not affected by the 11 series changes. Contracting Parties must not refuse to grant UN type approvals according to any preceding series of amendments or extensions of them.

Paragraph 4.2. now says that an approval number is assigned to each type approved in accordance with Schedule 4 of the Agreement (E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.3 and Amend.1). Before, it also said that the first two digits (then 10) show the series with the latest major technical amendments when the approval is issued. In two examples, the approval number is now 112439 instead of 102439. The figures of the example approval marks also changed.

Three footnotes that refer to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) now refer to document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.7. Before, they referred to Rev.6 or Rev.3. They now give the web address https://unece.org/transport/standards/transport/vehicle-regulations-wp29/resolutions.