UN R21 Supplement 6 (01 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 21 (ECE R21) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to their interior fittings.
UN R21 — Supplement 6 to the 01 series of amendments
Supplement 5 → 6
- What changed
- New section 0. says that the Regulation is amended to account for vehicles of category X.
- When an ADSF-2 is active, one-touch closing is not permitted.
- If an ADSF-2 is able to operate power-operated windows, roof panels or partition systems, they must have auto-reversing devices that the ADS cannot override.
- Why
- The TF-AVRS proposal was prepared to enable the application of the Regulation to vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS).
- The amendment intends to keep the spirit of the Regulation. It also intends to extend its application to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls inside the vehicle.
- WP.29 aimed to adopt all documents of the review of existing UN Regulations for Automated Driving Systems (ADS) at its June 2026 session.
Q1What changed21 changes
New introduction for vehicles of category X and vehicles with an ADS (section 0.)
New section 0. says that the Regulation is amended to account for vehicles of category X. Without a driver or manual driving controls in the vehicle, related provisions must not be taken into account, unless this amendment already covers them. For vehicles with an ADS other than category X, no special provisions or exemptions apply in the manual driving mode. In a mode where an ADS feature is active, the relevant ADS requirements apply.
New numbering in the scope (para. 1.1., subparagraphs (a) to (e))
In section 1., the first paragraph now has the number 1.1. Old paragraphs 1.1. to 1.5. become subparagraphs (a) to (e).
Areas excluded from the reference zone (para. 2.3.)
Paragraph 2.3. adds “if applicable” to the areas that the reference zone excludes. The rest of the definition does not change.
New ADS feature types ADSF-1 and ADSF-2 (paras. 2.19. and 2.20.)
Paragraph 2.19. defines ADSF-1: an ADS feature that includes an ADS fallback response which requires a fallback user. Paragraph 2.20. defines ADSF-2: an ADS feature that does not include an ADS fallback response which requires a fallback user. The new paragraphs in 5.8.2.9. and 5.8.4.2. use the term ADSF-2.
One-touch closing and auto-reversing devices with an ADSF-2 (paras. 5.8.2.9. and 5.8.4.2.)
Paragraph 5.8.2.9. has a new last paragraph: one-touch closing is not permitted when an ADSF-2 is active. Paragraph 5.8.4.2. also has a new last paragraph. If an ADSF-2 is able to operate power-operated windows, roof panels or partition systems, they must have auto-reversing devices. It must not be possible for the ADS to override the auto-reversing device.
User’s manual instructions for power-operated windows, roof panels and partitions (paras. 5.8.6.1., 5.8.6.1.2. and 5.8.6.1.3.)
Paragraph 5.8.6.1. now says “user’s manual” instead of “owner’s manual”. Paragraph 5.8.6.1.2. now adds “(if applicable)” to the use of the driver-controlled switch. In paragraph 5.8.6.1.3., the “WARNING” information should now indicate the responsibilities of the driver and/or ADS. Before, it named the responsibilities of the driver only. For the AC.1 vote, WP.29 replaced the amendments to these paragraphs in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/63 with these three changes.
R.E.3 references in footnotes 1 and 2
New footnote 1 refers to the definitions in R.E.3, document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8. For the AC.1 vote, WP.29 amended footnote 1 of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/63 to remove “, para. 2” after the document number. Section 0. calls new footnote 1, and paragraph 1.1. now calls it after “M1”. Old footnote 1 of paragraph 4.4.1. becomes footnote 2. Footnote 2 now refers to R.E.3 document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.7 for the distinguishing numbers of the Contracting Parties.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Expert from Germany on behalf of the GRSP Task Force on Automated Vehicles Regulation Screening (TF-AVRS)
- Working party
- GRSP, 78th session (December 2025)
Reasons
The TF-AVRS proposal was prepared to enable the application of the Regulation to vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS). The Regulation was first written for vehicles with a driver and manual driving controls. The amendment intends to keep the spirit of the Regulation. It also intends to extend its application to vehicles without a driver and without manual driving controls inside the vehicle.
Sources (4)
“to enable the application of the regulation to vehicles equipped with an Automated Driving System (ADS)”
“See paragraph 0. in the proposal”
“The Regulation was originally drafted for vehicles with driver and manual driving controls”
“It is the intention of this amendment to keep the spirit of the regulation and to extend its application to vehicles without driver and without manual driving controls inside the vehicle”
WP.29 aimed to adopt all documents of the review of existing UN Regulations for Automated Driving Systems (ADS) at its June 2026 session.
Source
“WP.29 reaffirmed its objective to adopt all documents related to the review of existing UN Regulations related to Automated Driving Systems (ADS) at its June 2026 session”
Document trail
- 2025-09ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2025/17Proposal by the expert from Germany on behalf of TF-AVRS
- —Amended in sessionGRSP-78-31TF-AVRS changes to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2025/17
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/78GRSP session report, para. 43 and Annex XIII
- 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/63Text that GRSP 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 in R.E.3 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8) if your vehicles are of category X.
- Make sure that one-touch closing is not possible when an ADSF-2 is active.
- If an ADSF-2 can operate power-operated windows, roof panels or partition systems, fit auto-reversing devices that the ADS cannot override.
- In the user’s manual “WARNING” message, indicate the responsibilities of the driver and/or ADS (paragraph 5.8.6.1.3.).
Component supplier
- For window, roof panel or partition systems that an ADSF-2 can operate, supply auto-reversing devices the ADS cannot override.
Technical service / Approval authority
- If the vehicle has no driver or manual driving controls, ignore related provisions unless this amendment already covers them.
- Use paragraphs 2.19. and 2.20. to decide if an ADS feature is ADSF-1 or ADSF-2.
- Check that one-touch closing is not possible when an ADSF-2 is active.
- If an ADSF-2 can operate power-operated windows, roof panels or partitions, check that the ADS cannot override their auto-reversing devices.
- When you determine the reference zone, apply the paragraph 2.3. exclusions if applicable.
- Check the user’s manual against paragraphs 5.8.6.1., 5.8.6.1.2. and 5.8.6.1.3.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.