UN R78 — 06 series of amendments

New paragraph 5.1.19. covers complex electronic vehicle control systems which provide or form part of the control transmission of the braking function. This includes systems which use the braking system(s) for automatically commanded braking. For the safety aspects of these systems, the requirements of Annex 4 apply. Some systems or functions use the braking system as the means to achieve a higher level objective. Vehicles with such systems or functions are subject to Annex 4 only insofar as these have a direct effect on the braking system. If such systems are provided, they must not be deactivated during type approval testing of the braking system.

New Annex 4 defines special requirements for documentation, fault strategy and verification. These requirements apply to the safety aspects of complex electronic vehicle control systems, as far as this Regulation is concerned. Annex 4 does not specify the performance criteria for “The System”. It covers the methodology applied to the design process and the information that must be disclosed to the Technical Service, for type approval purposes. Paragraph 2.3. defines “Complex electronic vehicle control systems” by a hierarchy of control: a higher level electronic control system/function may over-ride a controlled function. Paragraph 2. also defines “Safety concept”, “Electronic control system”, “Higher-level control”, “Units”, “Transmission links”, “Range of control” and “Boundary of functional operation”.

Under paragraph 3.1.1., the first part is the formal documentation package, with the material of paragraph 3. except that of paragraph 3.4.4. It must be supplied to the Technical Service at the time of submission of the type approval application. The manufacturer must retain the additional material and analysis data of paragraph 3.4.4., but make them open for inspection at the time of type approval. Paragraphs 3.2. and 3.3. also require a description of the functions of “The System”, its layout and schematics, and the identification of units. New paragraph 6. of Annex 1 reads: “Adequate documentation according to Annex 4 was supplied in respect of the following system(s): Yes / No / Not applicable”. Former paragraphs 6. to 14. of Annex 1 are now paragraphs 7. to 15.

The manufacturer must state that, under non-fault conditions, the chosen strategy will not prejudice the safe operation of systems subject to this Regulation. The manufacturer must give the technical authorities an explanation of the design provisions built into “The System” for safe operation under fault conditions. Possible provisions are, for example, a fall-back to a partial system, a change-over to a separate back-up system, or removal of the high level function. In case of a failure, the driver must be warned, for example by a warning signal or message display. When the system is not deactivated by the driver, the warning must be present as long as the fault condition persists. An analysis must show, in overall terms, how the system will behave on each specified fault with a bearing on vehicle control performance or safety.

The functional operation of “The System”, as laid out in the documents required in paragraph 3., must be tested. Under non-fault conditions, the performance must be checked against the manufacturer's basic benchmark specification, unless a specified performance test of this or another Regulation applies. The reaction of “The System” must, at the discretion of the Type Approval Authority, be checked under the influence of a failure in any individual unit. The verification results must correspond with the documented summary of the failure analysis. This correspondence must be at a level of overall effect that confirms the safety concept and execution as adequate.

Paragraph 4.2. now gives 06 instead of 03 as the present first two digits of the approval number. These digits indicate the series of amendments incorporating the most recent major technical amendments at the time of issue of the approval. In the Annex 2 example text, the approval number is now 062439 instead of 052439. Both Annex 2 example texts now refer to the 06 series of amendments instead of the 05 series. The two approval mark figures in Annex 2 are also replaced. A new footnote reads: “This latter number is given merely as an example.”

As from the entry into force of the 06 series, no Contracting Party may refuse to grant or accept 06 series type approvals (para. 9.9.). As from 1 September 2024, Contracting Parties need not accept type approvals to the preceding series first issued after that date (para. 9.10.). Until 1 September 2026, Contracting Parties must accept type approvals to the preceding series first issued before 1 September 2024 (para. 9.11.). As from 1 September 2026, Contracting Parties need not accept type approvals issued to the preceding series (para. 9.12.). Paragraph 9.14. sets an exception to paragraph 9.10. for vehicle types which are not affected by the changes introduced by the 06 series. Contracting Parties may grant type approvals (para. 9.15.), and must continue to grant extensions of existing approvals (para. 9.16.), to any preceding series.