UN R89 Supplement 4 (00 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 89 (ECE R89) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of: I. Vehicles with regard to limitation of their maximum speed or their adjustable speed limitation function II. Vehicles with regard to the installation of a speed limiting device (SLD) or adjustable speed limitation device (ASLD) of an approved type III. Speed limitation devices (SLD) and adjustable speed limitation device (ASLD).
UN R89 — Supplement 4 to the 00 series of amendments
Supplement 3 → 4
- What changed
- Paragraphs 5.1.4., 5.1.6., 5.1.7., 13.1.3., 21.1.4. and 21.1.6. now also cover demands by the ADS.
- The ASLF and the ASLD must be deactivated when an ADS feature is activated, and cannot be activated while an ADS feature is active.
- If the manufacturer asks, vehicles of Categories X and Y may be treated as SLF-equipped if the ADS limits speed to a fixed maximum value. Annex 5 adds test rules for vehicles of Categories X and Y and for other vehicles with an ADS.
- Why
- The proposal aims to let several UN Regulations under GRVA apply to automated vehicles, including vehicles without manual controls.
Q1What changed19 changes
Acceleration demand in place of action on the accelerator (paras 2.1.1., 5.1.4. and 21.1.4.)
The definition of “Limitation speed V” (para. 2.1.1.) now says “a response for an acceleration demand” instead of “a response after a positive action on the accelerator control”. Paragraphs 5.1.4. and 21.1.4. now say “an acceleration demand is applied by the driver or ADS” instead of “a positive action on the accelerator is applied”. The rest of paragraphs 5.1.4. and 21.1.4. does not change.
Demands by the ADS (paras 5.1.6., 5.1.7., 13.1.3. and 21.1.6.)
Paragraphs 5.1.6. and 21.1.6. now say “demanded by the driver or ADS” instead of “demanded by the position of the driver’s accelerator”. A malfunction or unauthorised interference must not increase engine power above that demanded by the driver or ADS. Paragraphs 5.1.7. and 13.1.3. add that the speed limitation function must also be obtained regardless of any form of demand by the ADS. The existing rule for more than one accelerator control does not change.
ASLF and ASLD while an ADS feature is active (paras 5.2.7.1., 5.2.7.4., 21.2.7.2. and 21.2.7.4.)
The ASLF and the ASLD must be deactivated upon activation of an ADS feature (new paras 5.2.7.4. and 21.2.7.4.). Also, it must not be possible to activate the ASLF or the ASLD while an ADS feature is active. Paragraphs 5.2.7.1. and 21.2.7.2. still require that the ASLF and the ASLD can be activated/de-activated at any time, but now add “except whilst an ADS feature is active”.
Speed limit by the ADS in vehicles of Categories X and Y (new para. 5.1.11.)
On the manufacturer's request, a vehicle of Category X or Y may count as SLF-equipped if its ADS limits speed to a fixed maximum value. The set speed (Vset) is deemed to be this fixed maximum value. This SLF is considered to meet paragraphs 5.1. and 5.3. if the ADS complies with UN Regulation No. [ADS], including verification of this maximum speed.
Annex 5 tests for vehicles of Categories X and Y
For vehicles of Categories X and Y, all tests in Annex 5 must be done and all respective requirements must be met. If a vehicle of Category X or Y has no manual driving controls, tests must use a dedicated activation method, for example a test mode. Another method is possible if the vehicle manufacturer and the technical service agree, and if the evaluation accurately reflects real-world ADS performance. Where Annex 5 describes an action on a manual control, this means an acceleration demand through the selected activation method. The manufacturer must demonstrate that the test activation method accurately replicates ADS performance. The test report must describe the method in detail and record the acceleration demand with the results of each test.
Annex 5 tests for other vehicles with an ADS
For ADS vehicles other than those of Categories X and Y, Annex 5 tests must be done at least in the manual driving mode. Tests in ADS mode are not necessary if the manufacturer shows the technical service that ADS acceleration demands can give the same SLF performance. However, tests to check this must be done if the technical service asks for them.
New reference for R.E.3 in footnote 1
Footnote 1 now cites R.E.3 as document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 and gives the web address https://unece.org/transport/vehicle-regulations/wp29/resolutions. Before, it cited TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.1/Amend.2.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Task force on regulatory fitness for Automated Driving Systems
- Working party
- GRVA, 24th session (January 2026)
Reasons
The task force wrote these amendments to let several UN Regulations under GRVA apply to automated vehicles. This includes vehicles without manual controls.
Source
“to introduce amendments to enable the application of several UN Regulations under the purview of GRVA to automated vehicles, including those without manual controls”
Document trail
- 2025-11ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2026/6Proposal by the task force on regulatory fitness for ADS
- —Amended in sessionGRVA-24-37Changes to the proposal at the 24th GRVA session
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/24Session report, para. 35
- 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/79Text that GRVA sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- 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
- Make sure that the speed limitation function works for any form of demand by the ADS (paras 5.1.4. and 5.1.7.).
- Make sure that the ASLF is deactivated when an ADS feature is activated (para. 5.2.7.4.). Make sure that the ASLF cannot be activated while an ADS feature is active.
- If you want a vehicle of Category X or Y to count as SLF-equipped, ask for this under paragraph 5.1.11. This option applies only if the ADS limits the vehicle speed to a fixed maximum value.
- For vehicles of Categories X and Y, show that the test activation method accurately replicates ADS performance (Annex 5).
- For ADS vehicles outside Categories X and Y, be ready to show that ADS demands give the same SLF performance.
Component supplier
- Test your SLD with acceleration demands by the ADS as well as by the driver (para. 21.1.4.).
- Make sure that no malfunction or unauthorised interference raises engine power above the driver or ADS demand (para. 21.1.6.).
- Make sure that your ASLD is deactivated when an ADS feature is activated (para. 21.2.7.4.). Make sure that the ASLD cannot be activated while an ADS feature is active.
Technical service / Approval authority
- Check that vehicles of Categories X and Y go through all Annex 5 tests and meet all respective requirements.
- Check the manufacturer's demonstration that the test activation method accurately replicates ADS performance (Annex 5).
- Check that the test report describes the activation method in detail and records the acceleration demand for each test.
- Decide whether to ask for Annex 5 tests in ADS mode on ADS vehicles outside Categories X and Y.
- Check that the ADS limits the vehicle speed to a fixed maximum value when paragraph 5.1.11. applies.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.