Type-approval requirements to ensure the general safety of vehicles and the protection of vulnerable road users

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 on type-approval requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers, and systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general safety and the protection of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

• It aims to significantly reduce deaths and serious injuries on European Union (EU) roads by introducing state-of-the-art safety technologies as standard vehicle equipment, and to enhance the competitiveness of EU car manufacturers on the global market by providing the first ever EU legal framework for automated and fully automated vehicles.
• It amends Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on EU approval and market surveillance measures for motor vehicles and their trailers (see summary).

KEY POINTS

This new general safety regulation updates EU vehicle safety requirements, including those that address the specific concerns of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.

Advanced vehicle systems

All new vehicles must be equipped with the following safety features:

• intelligent speed assistance;
• an interface to enable the fitting of an alcohol interlock (breathalyser);
• driver drowsiness and attention warning systems;
• advanced driver distraction warning systems;
• emergency stop signals;
• reversing detection systems;
• event data recorders;
• accurate tyre pressure monitoring.

Cars and vans must be equipped with further advanced safety measures including:

• advanced emergency braking systems capable of detecting motor vehicles and vulnerable road users in front of them;
• emergency lane-keeping systems;
• enlarged head-impact protection zones capable of mitigating injuries in collisions with vulnerable road users.

Buses and lorries, in addition to meeting the general requirements and being equipped with existing systems (such as lane departure warning and advanced emergency braking systems), must also:

• be equipped with advanced systems capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists close to the nearside of the vehicle, warning drivers of their presence and avoiding collisions with these vulnerable road users;
• be constructed in such a way that will help to reduce blind spots in front of and to the side of the driver.

The regulation allows the European Commission to adopt specific implementing acts for the safety of hydrogen-powered and automated vehicles in the light of future technical developments.

Review

• The Commission must present an evaluation report on the effectiveness of the safety measures and systems by 7 July 2027.
• If appropriate, the report must make recommendations and include a proposal for legislation to further reduce or eliminate road transport accidents and injuries.
• A further report should be presented every 5 years subsequently.

Implementing and delegated acts

The Commission has adopted:

• two implementing acts:
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 on uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of vehicles, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general construction characteristics and safety,
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/646 on uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their emergency lane-keeping systems; and
• four delegated acts:
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1243 with detailed rules concerning the alcohol interlock installation facilitation in motor vehicles and amending Annex II to that regulation,
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1341 laying down detailed rules concerning the specific test procedures and technical requirements with regard to vehicle drivers’ drowsiness and attention warning systems,
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1958 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 with detailed rules on the specific test procedures and technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their intelligent speed assistance systems and for the type-approval of those systems as separate technical units,
  • Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/545 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 with detailed rules on the specific test procedures and technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their event data recorder and for the type-approval of those systems as separate technical units.

All these regulations also amend Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/2144.

Repeal

The regulation repeals Regulations (EC) No 78/2009, (EC) No 79/2009, (EC) No 661/2009, (EC) No 631/2009, (EU) No 406/2010, (EU) No 672/2010, (EU) No 1003/2010, (EU) No 1005/2010, (EU) No 1008/2010, (EU) No 1009/2010, (EU) No 19/2011, (EU) No 109/2011, (EU) No 458/2011, (EU) No 65/2012, (EU) No 130/2012, (EU) No 347/2012, (EU) No 351/2012, (EU) No 1230/2012 and (EU) 2015/166 with effect from 6 July 2022.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It applies from 6 July 2022.

BACKGROUND

The regulation forms part of the Commission’s third Europe on the move package, designed to ensure a smooth transition towards a safe, clean and automated mobility system. The package includes the following.

• New EU type-approval rules for safer and cleaner cars: frequently asked questions (European Commission)
• Testing of emissions from cars (European Commission)
• Air quality: Commission takes action to protect citizens from air pollution – press release (European Commission)
• EU action to curb air pollution by cars: questions and answers – questions and answers (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on type-approval requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers, and systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general safety and the protection of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulations (EC) No 78/2009, (EC) No 79/2009 and (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulations (EC) No 631/2009, (EU) No 406/2010, (EU) No 672/2010, (EU) No 1003/2010, (EU) No 1005/2010, (EU) No 1008/2010, (EU) No 1009/2010, (EU) No 19/2011, (EU) No 109/2011, (EU) No 458/2011, (EU) No 65/2012, (EU) No 130/2012, (EU) No 347/2012, (EU) No 351/2012, (EU) No 1230/2012 and (EU) 2015/166 (OJ L 325, 16.12.2019, pp. 1–40).

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/545 of 26 January 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council by laying down detailed rules concerning the specific test procedures and technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their event data recorder and for the type-approval of those systems as separate technical units and amending Annex II to that Regulation (OJ L 107, 6.4.2022, pp. 18–23).

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1958 of 23 June 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council by laying down detailed rules concerning the specific test procedures and technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their intelligent speed assistance systems and for the type-approval of those systems as separate technical units and amending Annex II to that Regulation (OJ L 409, 17.11.2021, pp. 1–161).

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1341 of 23 April 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council by laying down detailed rules concerning the specific test procedures and technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their driver drowsiness and attention warning systems and amending Annex II to that Regulation (OJ L 292, 16.8.2021, pp. 4–19).

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1243 of 19 April 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council by laying down detailed rules concerning the alcohol interlock installation facilitation in motor vehicles and amending Annex II to that Regulation (OJ L 272, 30.7.2021, pp. 11–15).

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/646 of 19 April 2021 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their emergency lane-keeping systems (OJ L 133, 20.4.2021, pp. 31–53).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2021/646 have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 of 31 March 2021 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of vehicles, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general construction characteristics and safety (OJ L 117, 6.4.2021, pp. 1–207).

Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC (OJ L 151, 14.6.2018, pp. 101–218).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/166 of 3 February 2015 supplementing and amending Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the inclusion of specific procedures, assessment methods and technical requirements, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, and Commission Regulations (EU) No 1003/2010, (EU) No 109/2011 and (EU) No 458/2011 (OJ L 28, 4.2.2015, pp. 3–39).

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1230/2012 of 12 December 2012 implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to type-approval requirements for masses and dimensions of motor vehicles and their trailers and amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 353, 21.12.2012, pp. 31–79).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 351/2012 of 23 April 2012 implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards type-approval requirements for the installation of lane departure warning systems in motor vehicles (OJ L 110, 24.4.2012, pp. 18–30).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 347/2012 of 16 April 2012 implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to type-approval requirements for certain categories of motor vehicles with regard to advanced emergency braking systems (OJ L 109, 21.4.2012, pp. 1–17).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 130/2012 of 15 February 2012 concerning type-approval requirements for motor vehicles with regard to vehicle access and manoeuvrability and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 43, 16.2.2012, pp. 6–14).

Commission Regulation (EU) No 65/2012 of 24 January 2012 implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards gear shift indicators and amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 28, 31.1.2012, pp. 24–38).

Commission Regulation (EU) No 458/2011 of 12 May 2011 concerning type-approval requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers with regard to the installation of their tyres and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 124, 13.5.2011, pp. 11–20).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 109/2011 of 27 January 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards type-approval requirements for certain categories of motor vehicles and their trailers as regards spray suppression systems (OJ L 34, 9.2.2011, pp. 2–28).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 19/2011 of 11 January 2011 concerning type-approval requirements for the manufacturer’s statutory plate and for the vehicle identification number of motor vehicles and their trailers and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 8, 12.1.2011, pp. 1–13).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1009/2010 of 9 November 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for wheel guards of certain motor vehicles and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 292, 10.11.2010, pp. 21–29).

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1008/2010 of 9 November 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for windscreen wiper and washer systems of certain motor vehicles and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 292, 10.11.2010, pp. 2–20).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1005/2010 of 8 November 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for motor vehicle towing devices and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 291, 9.11.2010, pp. 36–42).

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1003/2010 of 8 November 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for the space for mounting and the fixing of rear registration plates on motor vehicles and their trailers and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 291, 9.11.2010, pp. 22–30).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 672/2010 of 27 July 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for windscreen defrosting and demisting systems of certain motor vehicles and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 196, 28.7.2010, pp. 5–20).

Commission Regulation (EU) No 406/2010 of 26 April 2010 implementing Regulation (EC) No 79/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles (OJ L 122, 18.5.2010, pp. 1–107).

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 631/2009 of 22 July 2009 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 78/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to the protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directives 2003/102/EC and 2005/66/EC (OJ L 195, 25.7.2009, pp. 1–60).

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 200, 31.7.2009, pp. 1–24).

See consolidated version.

last update 27.04.2022