RegVault
Free trial

UN R26 Base text (04 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 26 (ECE R26) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to their external projections.

UN R26 — 04 series of amendments

Changes from 03 series of amendments (supplement 4)

Adopted at the WP.29 180th sessionEntry into force 2020-09-25
CompareRead full text
What changed
  • Paragraph 6.4.1. now says that the wiper holder (head and main part) is designed with a radius of curvature meeting the requirements of paragraph 5.4.
  • Paragraph 6.4.2. adds three more wiper parts, if present, to which paragraph 5.4. does not apply.
  • New paragraph 6.4.3. says that compliance with paragraphs 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 must be verified with the wipers in parked position.
Why
  • The expert from France prepared the text to clarify requirements in UN Regulation No. 26 on windscreen wipers.
  • The proposal clarifies how to deal with potential “exempted” parts and which requirements apply to which part of the windscreen wiper.
  • A generic drawing of the concerned areas seems to be the best way for a coherent application together with the requirement wording.

Q1What changed24 changes

Wiper shaft, protective casing and holder (para. 6.4.1.)

Paragraph 6.4.1. now refers to Figure 0 for the wiper shaft (number 1) and the protective casing (number 1.1). The protective casing must still have a radius of curvature meeting paragraph 5.4. and an end surface area of not less than 150 mm2. It now says the holder (head and main part, numbers 2, 2.1 in Figure 0) is designed with a radius of curvature meeting paragraph 5.4.

The windscreen wiper fittings shall be such that the wiper shaft (number 1 in Figure 0) is furnished with a protective casing (number 1.1 in Figure 0) which has a radius of curvature meeting the requirements of paragraph 5.4. above and an end surface area of not less than 150 mm2. The holder (head and main part, i.e. numbers 2, 2.1 in Figure 0) are designed with a radius of curvature meeting the requirements of paragraph 5.4. above. In the case of rounded covers, these shall have a minimum projected area of 150 mm2 when measured not more than 6.5 mm from the point projecting furthest. These requirements shall also be met by rear window wipers and headlamp wipers.

Wiper parts to which paragraph 5.4. does not apply (para. 6.4.2.)

Paragraph 6.4.2. now says that paragraph 5.4. does not apply to the wiper blades (number 4 in Figure 0). It also does not apply, if present, to supporting members, the second holder and the functional hinge between the holder head and the holder. The same applies, if present, to the junction between the main and the second holder. Before, the paragraph said that paragraph 5.4. does not apply to the wiper blades or to any supporting members. These units must still have no sharp angles or pointed or cutting parts.

Paragraph 5.4. shall not apply to the wiper blades (number 4 in Figure 0), supporting members (number 3 in Figure 0) if present, to second holder (number 2.2 in Figure 0) if present, to the functional hinge between the holder head and the holder (number 5 in Figure 0) if present, or to any supporting membersthe junction between the main and the second holder (number 6 in Figure 0) if present. However, these units shall be so made as to have no sharp angles or pointed or cutting parts.

New Figure 0: Example of parts distribution

New Figure 0 has the title “Example of parts distribution”. Its legend gives these numbers: 1 Wiper shaft, 1.1 Protective casing, 2 Holder head, 2.1 Main holder, 2.2 Second holder and 3 Supporting members. It also gives 4 Wiper blades, 5 Functional hinge and 6 Junction between the main and second holder. Paragraphs 6.4.1. and 6.4.2. refer to these numbers.

[figure changed]
Figure 0
11 more changes in this group — open in Compare

Wipers in parked position (para. 6.4.3.)

New paragraph 6.4.3. says that compliance with the provisions in paragraphs 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 must be verified with the wipers in parked position.

Compliance with the provisions in paragraphs 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 shall be verified with the wipers in parked position.

Transitional provisions for the 04 series (paras. 12.8. to 12.11.)

New paragraphs 12.8. to 12.11. set the transitional provisions of the 04 series of amendments for Contracting Parties applying this Regulation. From the official date of entry into force of the 04 series, they must not refuse to grant approval under the 04 series (para. 12.8.). As from 1 September 2022, they need not accept type approvals to the preceding series of amendments, first issued after 1 September 2022 (para. 12.9.). They must continue to accept type approvals issued according to the preceding series of amendments first issued before 1 September 2022 (para. 12.10.). They must not refuse to grant type approvals according to any preceding series of amendments or extensions thereof (para. 12.11.).

As from the official date of entry into force of the 04 series of amendments, no Contracting Party applying this Regulation shall refuse to grant approval under this Regulation as amended by the 04 series of amendments.
As from 1 September 2022, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall not be obliged to accept type approvals to the preceding series of amendments, first issued after 1 September 2022.
2 more changes in this group — open in Compare

Approval marks for the 04 series (Annex 2, Models A and B)

In Annex 2, the text under Model A now refers to the 04 series of amendments, instead of the 03 series. The first two digits of the approval number now indicate that UN Regulation No. 26 already included the 04 series when the approval was granted. The text under Model B now refers to the 04 series for UN Regulation No. 26, instead of the 03 series. For UN Regulation No. 24, it still gives the 03 series of amendments. The figures of the two approval marks also change.

The above approval mark affixed to a vehicle shows that the vehicle type concerned has been approved in the Netherlands (E 4) pursuant to UN Regulation No. 26 and under approval number 032439. The first two digits of the approval number indicate that, at the time of approval, UN Regulation No. 26 as amended by already included the 03 04 series of amendments when the approval was granted.
[figure changed][figure changed]
2 more changes in this group — open in Compare
See every change side by side in Compare

Q2Why it changed

Proposed by
Expert from France
Working party
GRSG, 117th session (October 2019)

Reasons

  • The expert from France prepared the text to clarify requirements in UN Regulation No. 26 on windscreen wipers.

    Source
    “The text reproduced below was prepared by the expert from France to clarify requirements in UN Regulation No. 26 on windscreen wipers.”

  • Even if road accident data does not allow evaluating this too specific load case for wiper parts, it seems needed to remind the initial objectives. The Regulation aims to reduce the risk or seriousness of bodily injury to persons hit by the bodywork or brushing against it in a collision.

    Sources (2)
    “Even if data on road accident does not allow to evaluate this too specific loadcase regarding wipers parts, it seems needed to remind the initial objectives of the Regulation within this wiper requirement paragraphs”
    “The purpose of this Regulation is to reduce the risk or seriousness of bodily injury to a person hit by the bodywork or brushing against it in the event of a collision”

  • The proposal clarifies how to deal with potential “exempted” parts and which requirements apply to which part of the windscreen wiper.

    Source
    “this draft proposal clarifies how to deal with potential “exempted” parts and which requirements apply to which part of the windscreen wiper”

  • A generic drawing of the concerned areas seems to be the best way for a coherent application together with the requirement wording.

    Sources (2)
    “A generic drawing presenting the concerned areas seems to be the best way for a coherent application in association with requirement wording.”
    “that clarifies the requirements on windscreen wipers with a simple generic drawing of the concerned areas”

  • The proposal states that geometrical requirements are only applicable on contactable parts (sphere protocol).

    Source
    “Geometrical requirements are only applicable on contactable parts (sphere protocol).”

Document trail

  1. 2019-07ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2019/34Proposal by the expert from France for the 04 series of amendments
  2. —Amended in sessionGRSG-117-44-Rev.1Amendments by the experts from France and OICA to document GRSG/2019/34
  3. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/96GRSG session report, para. 13: adopted as amended by GRSG-117-44-Rev.1
  4. 2019-12Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2020/26Text that GRSG sent to WP.29 and AC.1
  5. 2020-03WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1151Adopted at the 180th session (session report, para. 126)
  6. 2020-09-25In forceC.N.471.2020.TREATIES-XI.B.16.26UN depositary notification

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

  • Be ready for checks of paragraphs 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 with the wipers in parked position (para. 6.4.3.).
  • Plan 04 series approvals against the date 1 September 2022 in paragraphs 12.9. and 12.10.

Component supplier

  • No direct action for this role.

Technical service / Approval authority

  • Check compliance with paragraphs 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 with the wipers in parked position (para. 6.4.3.).

See every change side by side

RegVault customers compare every version of UN regulations, read the consolidated text and download the PDF.

Start free trialSign in

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

More UN R26 change reports

All UN R26 change reports