Only the original UN/ECE texts have legal effect under international public law. The status and date of entry into force of this Regulation should be checked in the latest version of the UN/ECE status document TRANS/WP.29/343, available at: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29wgs/wp29gen/wp29fdocstts.html

UN Regulation No 118 – Uniform technical prescriptions concerning the burning behaviour and/or the capability to repel fuel or lubricant of materials used in the construction of certain categories of motor vehicles [2020/241]

Incorporating all valid text up to:

Supplement 1 to the 03 series of amendments – Date of entry into force: 16 October 2018

This document is meant purely as documentation tool. The authentic and legally binding texts are:

— ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2013/12

— ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/14

— ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/16

— ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/18 and

— ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/24

CONTENTS

REGULATION

1. Scope

2. Definitions: General

3. Application for approval

4. Approval

5. Part I: Approval of a vehicle type with regard to the burning behaviour of the components used in the interior compartment, the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment and with regard to the burning behaviour of electric cables and cable sleeves or cable conduits used in the vehicle and/or the capability to repel fuel or lubricant of insulation materials used in the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment

6. Part II: Approval of a component with regard to its burning behaviour and/or its capability to repel fuel or lubricant

7. Modification of the type and extension of approval

8. Conformity of production

9. Penalties for non-conformity of production

10. Production definitively discontinued

11. Names and addresses of Technical Services responsible for conducting approval tests and of Type Approval Authorities

12. Transitional provisions

ANNEXES

1. Information document for vehicle

2. Information document for component

3. Communication (concerning approval of a vehicle type)

4. Communication (concerning approval of a component type)

5. Arrangements of approval marks

6. Test to determine the horizontal burning rate of materials

7. Test to determine the melting behaviour of materials

8. Test to determine the vertical burning rate of materials

9. Test to determine the capability of materials to repel fuel or lubricant

10. Test to determine the resistance to flame propagation of electrical cables

1. SCOPE

1.1. This Regulation applies to the burning behaviour (ignitibility, burning rate and melting behaviour) and to the capability to repel fuel or lubricants of materials used in vehicles of categories M3, Classes II and III (1).

Type approvals are granted according to:

1.2. Part I – Approval of a vehicle type with regard to the burning behaviour and/or the capability to repel fuel or lubricant of the components used in the interior compartment, the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment and with regard to the burning behaviour of electric cables and cable sleeves or cable conduits used for protecting electric cables in the vehicle.

1.3. Part II – Approval of a component with regard to its burning behaviour and/or its capability to repel fuel or lubricant installed in the interior compartment, the engine compartment or any separate heating compartment.

2. DEFINITIONS: GENERAL

2.1. ‘Manufacturer’ means the person or body who is responsible to the Type Approval Authority for all aspects of the type approval process and for ensuring conformity of production. It is not essential that the person or body is directly involved in all stages of the construction of the vehicle or component which is the subject of the approval process.

2.2. ‘Interior compartment’ means any compartment intended for passengers, drivers and/or crew bounded by the interior facing surface(s) of:

(a) The ceiling;

(b) The floor;

(c) The front, rear and side walls,

(d) The doors;

(e) The outside glazing;

2.3. ‘Engine compartment’ means the compartment in which the engine is installed and in which a combustion heater may be installed.

2.4. ‘Separate heating compartment’ means a compartment for a combustion heater located outside the interior compartment and the engine compartment.

2.5. ‘Production materials’ means products, in the form of bulk materials (e.g. rolls of upholstery) or preformed components, supplied to a manufacturer for incorporation in a vehicle type approved under this Regulation, or to a workshop for use in the business of vehicle maintenance or repair.

2.6. ‘Seat’ means a structure which may or may not be integral with the vehicle structure, complete with trim, intended to seat one adult person. The term covers both an individual seat or part of a bench seat intended to seat one adult person.

2.7. ‘Group of seats’ means either a bench-type seat, or seats which are separate but side by side (i.e. with the foremost anchorages of one seat in line with or forward of the rearmost anchorages and in line with or behind the foremost anchorages of another seat) and which accommodate one or more seated adult persons.

2.8. ‘Bench seat’ means a structure complete with trim, intended to seat more than one adult person.

2.9. ‘Material installed in a vertical position’ means materials installed in the interior compartment, the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment of the vehicle such that its slope exceeds 15 per cent from the horizontal when the vehicle is at its mass in running order and it is standing on a smooth and horizontal ground surface.

2.10. ‘Electrical cable’ means a single-core or multi-core cable, when applicable sheathed, screened and unscreened, two or more cores running side by side and bonded, twisted, or braided together, including cores to form a single assembly enabling the transfer of electrical signals from one device to the other.

2.11. ‘Cable sleeve’ means any component that enfolds single cables to a multi-core cable or electrical harness.

2.12. ‘Cable conduit’ means any component that covers electrical cables to guide or route the cables (e.g. tubes, channels, ducts) or fasten electrical cables to the vehicle.

3. APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL

3.1. The application for approval of a vehicle or component type with regard to this Regulation shall be submitted by the manufacturer.

3.2. It shall be accompanied by an information document conforming to the model shown in Annex 1 or in Annex 2.

3.3. The following shall be submitted to the Technical Service responsible for conducting the type approval tests:

3.3.1. In the case of approval of a vehicle: a vehicle representative of the type to be approved.

3.3.2. In the case of components already type approved: a list of the type approval numbers and maker’s type designations of the parts concerned, shall be enclosed in the application for the vehicle type approval;

3.3.3. In the case of components without type approval:

3.3.3.1. Samples, the number of which is specified in Annexes 6 to 9, of the components used in the vehicles, which are representative of the type to be approved;

3.3.3.2. Furthermore, one sample shall be submitted to the Technical Service for future reference purposes;

3.3.3.3. For devices such as seats, curtains, separation walls, etc., the samples specified in paragraph 3.3.3.1 plus one complete device as mentioned above.

3.3.3.4. The samples shall be clearly and indelibly marked with the applicant’s trade name or mark and the type designation.

4. APPROVAL

4.1. If the type submitted for approval to this Regulation meets the requirements of the relevant part(s) of this Regulation, approval of that type shall be granted.

4.2. An approval number shall be assigned to each type approved. Its first two digits (at present 03 corresponding to the 03 series of amendments) shall indicate the series of amendments incorporating the most recent major technical amendments made to the Regulation at the time of issue of the approval. The same Contracting Party shall not assign the same number to another type of vehicle or component as defined in this Regulation.

4.3. Notice of approval or of extension of approval of a type pursuant to this Regulation shall be communicated to the Contracting Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation, by means of one of the forms conforming to the models in Annexes 3 or 4, as appropriate, to this Regulation.

4.4. There shall be affixed, conspicuously and in a readily accessible location specified on the approval form, to every vehicle conforming to a type approved under this Regulation, an international approval mark consisting of:

4.4.1. A circle surrounding the letter ‘E’ followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval (2);

4.4.2. The number of this Regulation, followed by the letter ‘R’, ‘I’ to indicate Part I of this Regulation, a dash and the approval number, to the right of the circle prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1.

4.4.3. If the vehicle conforms to a vehicle type approved, under one or more other Regulations annexed to the Agreement, in the country which has granted approval under this Regulation, the symbol prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1 need not be repeated; in such a case, the Regulations under which approval has been granted in the country which has granted approval under this Regulation shall be placed in vertical columns to the right of the symbol prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1.

4.4.4. The approval mark shall be clearly legible and be indelible.

4.4.5. The approval mark shall be placed close to or on the vehicle data plate affixed by the manufacturer.

4.5. Production materials do not need to be individually marked. However, the packaging with which they are supplied shall be marked with an international approval mark consisting of:

4.5.1. A circle surrounding the letter ‘E’ followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval2;

4.5.2. The number of this Regulation, followed by the letter ‘R’, a ‘II’ to indicate Part II of this Regulation, a dash and the approval number, to the right of the circle prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1.

4.5.3. In the vicinity of the circle:

4.5.3.1. Symbols indicating the direction which the material may be installed:

For the horizontal direction (see paragraph 6.2.1), For the vertical direction (see paragraphs. 6.2.3 and 6.2.4), For the horizontal and vertical directions (see paragraphs 6.2.1, 6.2.3 and 6.2.4);

4.5.3.2. The symbol ‘V’ indicating that the material fulfils the requirements in paragraph 6.2.2.

4.5.4. The approval mark shall be clearly legible and be indelible.

4.6. Components may be marked with the approval mark prescribed in paragraph 4.5.

4.6.1. If marked, the marking of complete components such as seats, separation walls, luggage racks, etc., shall include the symbol ‘CD’ indicating that the component has been approved as a complete device.

4.7. Annex 5 to this Regulation gives examples of arrangements of approval marks.

5. PART I: APPROVAL OF A VEHICLE TYPE WITH REGARD TO THE BURNING BEHAVIOUR OF THE COMPONENTS USED IN THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ANY SEPARATE HEATING COMPARTMENT AND WITH REGARD TO THE BURNING BEHAVIOUR OF ELECTRIC CABLES AND CABLE SLEEVES OR CABLE CONDUITS USED IN THE VEHICLE AND/OR THE CAPABILITY TO REPEL FUEL OR LUBRICANT OF INSULATION MATERIALS USED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ANY SEPARATE HEATING COMPARTMENT

5.1. Definition

For the purpose of Part I of this Regulation,

5.1.1. ‘Vehicle type’ means vehicles that do not differ in such essential respects as the manufacturer’s type designation.

5.2. Specifications

5.2.1. The materials inside and no more than 13 mm beyond the interior compartment, materials of the engine compartment, materials of any separate heating compartment and electric cables, cable sleeves or cable conduits used in the vehicle to be type approved shall meet the requirements of Part II of this Regulation.

5.2.2. The materials and/or equipment used in the interior compartment, the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment and/or in devices approved as components, electric cables and cable sleeves or cable conduits used in the vehicle shall be so installed as to minimize the risk of flame development and flame propagation.

5.2.3. Such materials and/or equipment shall only be installed in accordance with their intended purposes and the test(s) which they have undergone (see paragraphs 6.2.1, 6.2.2, 6.2.3, 6.2.4, 6.2.5, 6.2.6 and 6.2.7), especially in relation to their burning and melting behaviour (horizontal/vertical direction) and/or their capability to repel fuel or lubricant.

5.2.4. Any adhesive agent used to affix the interior material to its supporting structure shall not, as far as possible, exacerbate the burning behaviour of the material.

6. PART II: APPROVAL OF A COMPONENT WITH REGARD TO ITS BURNING BEHAVIOUR AND/OR ITS CAPABILITY TO REPEL FUEL OR LUBRICANT

6.1. Definitions

For the purpose of Part II of this Regulation,

6.1.1. ‘Type of a component’ means components which do not differ in such essential respects as:

6.1.1.1. The manufacturer’s type designation,

6.1.1.2. The intended use (seat upholstery, ceiling lining, insulation, etc.),

6.1.1.3. The base material(s) (e. g. wool, plastic, rubber, blended materials),

6.1.1.4. The number of layers in the case of composite materials, and

6.1.1.5. Other characteristics in so far as they have an appreciable effect on the performance prescribed in this Regulation.

6.1.2. ‘Burning rate’ means the quotient of the burnt distance measured according to Annex 6 and/or Annex 8 to this Regulation and the time taken to burn this distance. It is expressed in millimetres per minute.

6.1.3. ‘Composite material’ means a material composed of several layers of similar or different materials intimately held together at their surfaces by cementing, bonding, cladding, welding, etc. When different materials are connected together intermittently (for example, by sewing, high-frequency welding, riveting), such materials shall not be considered as composite materials.

6.1.4. ‘Exposed face’ means the side of a material which is facing towards the passenger compartment, the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment when the material is mounted in the vehicle.

6.1.5. ‘Upholstery’ means the combination of interior padding and surface finish material which together constitute the cushioning of the seat frame.

6.1.6. ‘Interior lining(s)’ means material(s) that (together) constitute(s) the surface finish and substrate of a ceiling, wall or floor.

6.1.7. ‘Insulation material(s)’ means material(s) used to reduce heat transfer by conduction, radiation or convection and for sound-proofing in the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment.

6.1.8. ‘Capability to repel fuel or lubricant’ means the capability of materials to repel fuel or lubricant when measured according to Annex 9 to this Regulation.

6.2. Specifications

6.2.1. The following materials shall undergo the test described in Annex 6 to this Regulation:

(a) Material(s) and composite material(s) installed in a horizontal position in the interior compartment and,

(b) Insulation material(s) installed in a horizontal position in the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment.

The result of the test shall be considered satisfactory if, taking the worst test results into account, the horizontal burning rate is not more than 100 mm/minute or if the flame extinguishes before reaching the last measuring point.

Materials fulfilling the requirements of paragraph 6.2.3 are considered to fulfil the requirements in this paragraph.

6.2.2. The following materials shall undergo the test described in Annex 7 to this Regulation:

(a) Material(s) and composite material(s) installed more than 500 mm above the seat cushion and on the ceiling of the vehicle,

(b) Insulation material(s) installed in the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment.

The result of the test shall be considered satisfactory if, taking the worst test results into account, no drop is formed which ignites the cotton wool.

6.2.3. The following materials shall undergo the test described in Annex 8 to this Regulation:

(a) Material(s) and composite material(s) installed in a vertical position in the interior compartment,

(b) Insulation material(s) installed in a vertical position in the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment.

The result of the test shall be considered satisfactory if, taking the worst test results into account, the vertical burning rate is not more than 100 mm/minute or if the flame extinguishes before the destruction of one of the first marker threads occurred.

6.2.4. Materials achieving an average CFE (critical heat flux at extinguishment) value greater or equal to 20 kW/m2, when tested according to ISO 5658-2 (3), are deemed to comply with the requirements of paragraphs 6.2.2 and 6.2.3, provided no burning drops are observed when taking the worst test results into account.

6.2.5. All insulation material(s) installed in the engine compartment and any separate heating compartment shall undergo the test described in Annex 9 to this Regulation.

The result of the test shall be considered satisfactory if, taking the worst test results into account, the increase of the weight of the test sample does not exceed 1 g.

Recesses necessary for technical reasons, e.g. tubes or structural members that need to pass through the material shall be allowed as long as the protection is maintained (e.g. sealant, tape …).

6.2.6. Any electrical cable exceeding a length of 100 mm used in the vehicle shall undergo the resistance to flame propagation test described in Annex 10 to this Regulation. As an alternative to these requirements, the test procedure described in ISO Standard 6722-1:2011, paragraph 5.22 may be applied. Test reports and approvals of components obtained according to ISO 6722:2006, paragraph 12 shall remain valid.

The exposure to the test flame shall be finished:

(1) For single-core cables: (a) When the conductor becomes visible, or (b) After 15 s for cables with conductor sizes less or equal than 2,5 mm2, and (c) After 30 s for cables with conductor sizes greater than 2,5 mm2, or

(2) For sheathed, screened and unscreened single- or multi-core cables with a sum of conductor sizes smaller than or equal to 15 mm2: (a) Until a conductor becomes visible or for 30 s, for all cables, whichever comes first, or

(3) For sheathed, screened and unscreened single- or multi-core cables with a sum of conductor sizes greater than 15 mm2: (a) According to (1) or (2), whichever is applicable. Electrical cables according to (2) may be tested either completely or separately. Electrical cables according to (3) shall be tested separately. The result of the test shall be considered satisfactory if, taking into account the worst test result, any combustion flame of insulating material shall extinguish within 70 seconds and a minimum of 50 mm insulation at the top of the test sample shall remain unburned.

6.2.7. Any cable sleeve or cable conduit exceeding a length of 100 mm shall undergo the test to determine the burning rate of materials as specified in Annex 8. The result of the test shall be considered satisfactory if, taking the worst test results into account, the vertical burning rate is not more than 100 mm/minute or if the flame extinguishes before the destruction of one of the first marker threads occurred.

6.2.8. Materials which are not required to undergo the tests described in Annexes 6 to 8 are:

6.2.8.1. Parts made of metal or glass;

6.2.8.2. Each individual seat accessory with a mass of non-metallic material less than 200 g. If the total mass of these accessories exceeds 400 g of non-metallic material per seat, then each material shall be tested;

6.2.8.3. Elements of which the surface area or the volume does not exceed respectively:

6.2.8.3.1. 100 cm2 or 40 cm3 for the elements which are connected to an individual seating place;

6.2.8.3.2. 300 cm2 or 120 cm3 per seat row and, at a maximum, per linear metre of the interior of the interior compartment for these elements which are distributed in the vehicle and which are not connected to an individual seating place;

6.2.8.4. Elements for which it is not possible to extract a sample in the prescribed dimensions as specified in paragraph 3.1 of Annex 6, paragraph 3 of Annex 7, and paragraph 3.1 of Annex 8.

7. MODIFICATION OF THE TYPE AND EXTENSION OF APPROVAL

7.1. Every modification of a vehicle or component type with regard to this Regulation shall be notified to the Type Approval Authority which approved the vehicle or the component type. The Authority may then either:

7.1.1. Consider that the modifications made are unlikely to have an appreciable adverse effect and that in any case vehicles or components still comply with the requirements, or

7.1.2. Require a further test report from the Technical Service responsible for conducting the tests.

7.2. Confirmation or refusal of approval, specifying the alterations shall be communicated by the procedure specified in paragraph 4.3 above to the Contracting Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation.

7.3. The Type Approval Authority issuing the extension of approval shall assign a serial number to each communication form drawn up for such an extension and inform thereof the other Parties to the 1958 Agreement applying this Regulation by means of a communication form conforming to the model in Annex 3 or Annex 4 to this Regulation.

8. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION

The conformity of production procedures shall comply with those set out in the Agreement, Schedule 1 (E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.3), with the following requirements:

8.1. Vehicles/components approved under this Regulation shall be so manufactured as to conform to the type approved by meeting the requirements of the relevant part(s) of this Regulation.

8.2. The Type Approval Authority that has granted type approval may at any time verify the conformity control methods applied in each production facility. The normal frequency of these verifications shall be one every two years.

9. PENALTIES FOR NON-CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION

9.1. The approval granted in respect of a vehicle/component type pursuant to this Regulation may be withdrawn if the requirements set forth above are not met.

9.2. If a Contracting Party to the Agreement applying this Regulation withdraws an approval it has previously granted, it shall forthwith so notify the other Contracting Parties applying this Regulation by means of a communication form conforming to the models in Annex 3 or Annex 4 to this Regulation.

10. PRODUCTION DEFINITIVELY DISCONTINUED

If the holder of the approval completely ceases to manufacture a vehicle type approved in accordance with this Regulation, he shall so inform the Type Approval Authority which granted the approval. Upon receiving the relevant communication that Authority shall inform thereof the other Parties to the 1958 Agreement applying this Regulation by means of a communication form conforming to the model in Annex 3 or Annex 4 to this Regulation.

11. NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF TECHNICAL SERVICES RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING APPROVAL TESTS AND OF TYPE APPROVAL AUTHORITIES

The Parties to the 1958 Agreement applying this Regulation shall communicate to the United Nations Secretariat the names and addresses of the Technical Services responsible for conducting approval tests and of the Type Approval Authorities which grant approval and to which forms certifying approval or extension or refusal or withdrawal of approval, issued in other countries, are to be sent.

12. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

12.1. As from the official date of entry into force of the 01 series of amendments, no Contracting Party applying this Regulation shall refuse to grant approval under this Regulation as amended by the 01 series of amendment.

12.2. As from 24 months after the official date of entry into force of the 01 series of amendments, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall grant approvals only if the vehicle type or component type to be approved meet the requirements of this Regulation as amended by the 01 series of amendments.

12.3. Starting from 60 months after the official date of entry into force of the 01 series of amendments, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation may refuse first national or regional registration (first entry into service) of a vehicle which does not meet the requirements of this Regulation as amended by the 01 series of amendments.

12.4. Even after the date of entry into force of the 01 series of amendments to this Regulation, approvals of the components to the preceding series of amendments to the Regulation shall remain valid and Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall continue to accept them.

12.5. Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall not refuse to grant extensions of approval to the 00 series of amendments to this Regulation.

12.6. As from the official date of entry into force of the 02 series of amendments, no Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall refuse to grant approval under this Regulation as amended by the 02 series of amendment.

12.7. As from 48 months after the official date of entry into force of the 02 series of amendments, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall grant approvals only if the component type to be approved meet the requirements of this Regulation as amended by the 02 series of amendments.

12.8. As from 60 months after the official date of entry into force of the 02 series of amendments, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall grant approvals only if the vehicle type to be approved meet the requirements of this Regulation as amended by the 02 series of amendments.

12.9. Starting 96 months after the official date of entry into force of the 02 series of amendments, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation may refuse first national registration (first entry into service) of a vehicle which does not meet the requirements of this Regulation as amended by the 02 series of amendments.

12.10. Even after the date of entry into force of the 02 series of amendments, approvals of the components to the preceding series of amendments to the regulation shall remain valid and Contracting Parties applying the Regulation shall continue to accept them.

12.11. As from the official date of entry into force of the 03 series of amendments, no Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall refuse to grant approval under this Regulation as amended by the 03 series of amendment.

12.12. As from 1 September 2019, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall grant approvals only if the vehicle type or component type to be approved meet the requirements of this Regulation as amended by the 03 series of amendments.

12.13. As from 1 September 2021, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation may refuse first national registration (first entry into service) of a vehicle which does not meet the requirements of this Regulation as amended by the 03 series of amendments.

12.14. Even after the date of entry into force of the 03 series of amendments, approvals of the components to the preceding series of amendments to the regulation shall remain valid and Contracting Parties applying the Regulation shall continue to accept them.

(1) As defined in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.6, paragraph 2.

(2) The distinguishing numbers of the Contracting Parties to the 1958 Agreement are reproduced in Annex 3 to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.6 – http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29wgs/wp29gen/wp29resolutions.html

(3) ISO 5658-2:2006 Reaction to fire tests – spread of flame – Part 2: Lateral spread on building and transport products in vertical configuration.