UN R22 — 06 series of amendments

New paragraph 2.7.3. gives four helmet types: J, NP, P and P/J. New definitions cover “Sun shield”, “Accessory”, “Trade mark” and “HPI Helmet Position Index”. Paragraph 4.1.1. now gives the size “in letter and cm” and adds the year of production to the marking on the helmet. Under new paragraph 5.3.1., a sun shield that meets the requirements of this Regulation must be marked. The marking must be reported on the Approval Certificate of the helmet where it is installed. The first two digits of the approval number are now 06.

Under new paragraph 6.17.1., a sun shield must not restrain or prevent the movement of the visor. Its luminous transmittance must be τv >20 per cent, relative to the standard illuminant D65. If the lower face cover is detachable or movable, a device must hold it in the intended position during all impacts and retention (detaching) test. Visors with 80 per cent > τv ≥ 35 per cent are permissible with the “DAYTIME USE ONLY” symbol and/or words (before, 50 per cent). For photochromic and/or liquid crystal visors, the lower limit is 20 per cent. The minimum relative visual attenuation quotient (Q) is now 0.60 for yellow signal lights (before 0.80) and 0.60 for blue signal light (before 0.40).

New paragraph 7.3.4.2.1. adds an extra point: at least three further impact tests on a helmet sample, at points selected among 12 listed points. In its base configuration, the helmet gets linear high energy impacts at 8.2 (+ 0.15/- 0.0) m/s, on the flat anvil only. Linear low energy impacts are at 6.0 (+ 0.15/ -0.0) m/s on the base configuration, and both anvils may be used. The acceleration and HIC limits in paragraph 7.3.6. now depend on the type of test. Linear Hi Energy allows ≤ 275 g and HIC ≤2 880, and Linear Low Energy allows ≤180 g and HIC ≤1 300. Before, the limits were 275 g and a Head Injury Criterion of 2400.

New paragraph 7.13. adds an oblique impact test. Helmets must be tested with the method in new Annex 7. The peak of the resultant rotational acceleration (PRA) must not exceed 10,400 rad/s2 in all impact sites on helmets. The Brain Injury Criterion (BrIC) must at no time exceed 0.78 during the defined impact time, at all impact sites on samples one and two. Under new paragraph 8.2., each technical service must store the raw data of test paragraph 7.13. This is to make them available for the approval authority for the purpose of improvement of the Regulation at a later stage.

New paragraph 7.8.2.3. adds a high speed particle test for visors, with the method in new Annex 17. In this test, the steel ball is projected at 60 m/s at the points of impact L1 and L2. After testing, visor fracture, visor deformation and visor housing failure must not occur. New paragraph 7.9. adds sun shield tests. New paragraph 7.14. adds a test of photochromic visors, liquid crystal or equivalent visors, with the method in new Annex 18. For photochromic visors, τvo /τv1 must be ≥ 1.25, where τvo and τv1 are the luminous transmittance in the faded state and in the darkened state.

For the shock absorption test of paragraph 9.2.2., two groups of 10 helmets of the largest size come from every shell size. All shell sizes of a helmet type must get the standard linear impact test on the BXPR and S points, if present. New paragraph 9.4. adds a product qualification test of sun shield. In agreement with the relevant authorities, the holder of an approval now uses the method of batch control, and the continuous control method is deleted. The conformity of production procedures must comply with the Agreement, Schedule 1 (E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.3), with the requirements that follow. New Annex 19, a guideline, gives the approval test sampling and the production qualification test sampling for three helmet configurations.

Each technical service must now keep the reports on the results of the approval tests for 10 years instead of two years. Paragraphs 15.1.1. to 15.1.4. now refer to the 06 series of amendments. Paragraph 15.1.2. applies from 18 months after the official date of entry into force of the 06 series of amendments. From then, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation must not grant approvals and extension unless the helmet or visor type meets the 06 series. From 30 months after that date, all Contracting Parties must prohibit the application of approval marks that refer to type approvals under the preceding series. From 36 months after that date, Contracting Parties may prohibit the sale of helmets and visors that do not meet the 06 series.