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 126 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of partitioning systems to protect passengers against displaced luggage, supplied as non-original vehicle equipment [2020/176]

Date of entry into force: 9 November 2007

CONTENTS

REGULATION

1. Scope

2. Definitions

3. Application for approval

4. Markings

5. Approval

6. Requirements

7. Conformity of production

8. Penalties for non-conformity of production

9. Modifications of the type of partitioning system

10. Production definitely discontinued

11. Instructions for use

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

ANNEXES

1. Communication

2. Arrangements of approval marks

3. Test procedure for devices intended to protect the occupants against displacement of luggage

Appendix 1 – Sled deceleration corridor as a function of time

Appendix 2 – Position of type 1 and type 2 test blocks in relation to the test frame

Appendix 3 – Position of the plane of maximum partitioning system deflection

4. Example of an apparatus to test the strength of partitioning systems

1. SCOPE

This Regulation applies to devices intended to protect the occupants from the danger resulting from the displacement of luggage into the vehicle seating areas in a frontal impact, of vehicles of category M1 (1), supplied as non-original vehicle equipment.

2. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Regulation:

2.1. ‘Partitioning system’ means parts or devices which in addition to the seat backs, are intended to protect occupants from displaced luggage.

2.2. ‘Non-original vehicle equipment’ means a partitioning system which is not offered by the vehicle manufacturer as standard or optional equipment for the vehicle(s) application(s) prescribed by the partitioning system manufacturer.

2.3. ‘Approval of a partitioning system’ means the approval of a type of partitioning system with regard to the strength, design and characteristics of the partitioning systems.

2.4. ‘Type of partitioning system’ means a category of partitioning system which does not differ in such essential respects as:

2.4.1. the structure, shape, dimensions, materials and the mass of the partitioning system, although the system may differ in covering and colour;

2.4.2. the type and dimensions of the adjustment, locking and attachment systems of the partitioning system;

2.4.3. the specific vehicle application(s) prescribed by the applicant for the approval.

2.5. ‘Seat’ see paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4 of Regulation No 17.

2.6. ‘Anchorage’ means the system by which the partitioning system is secured to the vehicle structure, including the affected parts of the vehicle structure.

2.7. ‘Adjustment system’ means the device by which the partitioning system or its parts can be adjusted to a position suited to the installation as recommended by the applicant for the approval in the prescribed vehicle(s) and position(s) within said vehicle(s).

2.8. ‘Locking system’ means a device ensuring that the partitioning system and its parts are maintained in the position of use.

2.9. ‘Intermediate structures’ means vehicle components to which the partitioning system is attached to the prescribed vehicle(s) which do not constitute the anchorages.

3. APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL

3.1. The application for approval of a type of partitioning system shall be submitted by the holder of the trade mark or by his duly accredited representative.

3.2. It shall be accompanied by:

3.2.1. A technical description of the partitioning system specifying the fabrics and rigid parts used and accompanied by drawings of the parts making up the partitioning system. The drawings must show the position intended for the approval number and the additional symbol(s) in relation to the circle of the approval mark.

The description shall specify the vehicle type(s) for which the partition system type has applications and the position(s) of attachment within the vehicle(s).

3.2.2. A drawing of the intended partitioning system installation(s) in vehicle type(s) and partitioning system installation position(s) including sufficient dimensions to facilitate the positioning of the test blocks, anchorage points to the vehicle structure, intermediate structures, seats and trim panels as may be required in Annex 3, paragraph 2.

3.2.3. Three samples of the partitioning system type, one of which is for reference purposes.

3.2.4. Samples of materials used in quantities required by the Technical Service conducting the approval tests.

3.2.5. Samples of seats, intermediate structures and trim panels required for the tests prescribed in Annex 3, paragraphs 2.4 and 2.6.

3.2.6. The Technical Service conducting the type-approval tests shall be entitled to request further samples.

4. MARKINGS

The samples of a partition system type submitted for approval in conformity with the provisions of paragraph 3 above shall be clearly and indelibly marked with the manufacturer’s name, initials or trade name or mark.

5. APPROVAL

5.1. If the samples of a type of partitioning system which are submitted in conformity with the provisions of paragraph 3 meet the requirements of paragraph 6 below, approval shall be granted.

5.2. An approval number shall be assigned to each type approved. Its first two digits (at present 00, corresponding to the Regulation in its original form) 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 may not assign the same number to another type of partitioning system.

5.3. Notice of approval or of extension or refusal of approval of a type of partitioning system, pursuant to this Regulation, shall be communicated to the Parties to the 1958 Agreement which apply this Regulation by means of a form conforming to the model in Annex 1 to the Regulation.

5.4. There shall be affixed, conspicuously and in a readily accessible place specified on the approval form, to every partitioning system confirming to a type approved under this Regulation, an international approval mark consisting of:

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

5.4.2. the approval number to the right of the circle prescribed in paragraph 5.4.1.

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

5.6. The approval mark shall be affixed on the partitioning system by the manufacturer.

5.7. Examples of arrangements of approval marks are given in Annex 2 to this Regulation.

6. REQUIREMENTS

6.1. Tests

The partitioning systems shall be tested in accordance with the test procedures described in Annex 3.

Partitioning systems which according to paragraph 3.2.1 may be used in more than one vehicle or may be used in more than one prescribed position within a specified vehicle must conform to the tests prescribed in Annex 3 in all prescribed vehicles and positions.

6.2. Specifications

6.2.1. Partitioning systems, when tested in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 6.1 must withstand sufficient forces to demonstrate their ability to protect occupants from displaced luggage during frontal impacts.

The requirement is deemed to be met if the forward displacement of the test block or blocks is less than 300 mm beyond the plane Y-Y, shown in Annex 3, Appendix 3, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle prescribed installation formed by the rear edge of the seat backs immediately in front of the partitioning system adjusted in accordance with Annex 3, paragraph 2.7, unless the manufacturer can prove to the satisfaction of the Technical Service responsible for conducting the approval tests that forward displacement exceeding 300 mm would not increase the risk of serious injury to occupants during a frontal impact.

The partitioning system should not break away from any of its attachment points. After the test no sharp edges of rigid parts of the partitioning system may be contactable that may lead to injury to vehicle occupants.

6.2.2. The assembled partitioning system shall not contain any dangerous roughness or sharp edges likely to increase the risk of serious injury to occupants. Rigid components of the partitioning system or intermediate structures contactable by occupants during an impact with material of greater than 50 Shore A hardness must have surfaces that terminate in rounded edges the radius of curvature being not less than 3,2 mm.

7. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION

The conformity of production procedures shall comply with those set out in the Agreement, Appendix 2 (E/ECE/324-E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.2), with the following requirements:

7.1. Every partitioning system approved pursuant to this Regulation shall be so manufactured as to conform to the type approved by meeting the requirements set out in paragraph 6 above.

7.2. The Competent Authority which granted type approval may at any time verify the conformity control methods applied for each production unit. The normal frequency of these verifications shall be once a year. The authority may also carry out random checks on serially‐manufactured partitioning systems in respect to the requirements set out in paragraph 6 above.

8. PENALTIES FOR NON‐CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION

8.1. The approval granted in respect of a partitioning system type pursuant to this Regulation may be withdrawn if the requirements laid down in paragraph 6 above are not complied with or if the partitioning system fails in the tests prescribed in paragraph 6 above.

8.2. 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 model in Annex 1 to this Regulation.

9. MODIFICATIONS OF THE TYPE OF PARTITIONING SYSTEM

9.1. Every modification of the type of partitioning system or the vehicle(s) and installation position(s) to which it is applicable shall be notified to the Type Approval Authority which approved the partitioning system type. The authority may then either:

9.1.1. consider that the modifications made are unlikely to have an appreciable adverse effect, and that in any event the partitioning system still complies with the requirements; or

9.1.2. consider that the modifications are sufficiently unimportant for the results specified in paragraph 6 above to be verified by technical information supplied by the manufacturer; or

9.1.3. require a further report from the Technical Service responsible for conducting the tests.

9.2. Confirmation or refusal of approval, specifying the modifications, shall be communicated to the Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation by means of the procedure laid down in paragraph 5.3 above.

9.3. The Competent Authority issuing the extension of approval shall assign a series number 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 1 to this Regulation.

10. PRODUCTION DEFINITELY DISCONTINUED

If the holder of the approval completely ceases to manufacture a device approved in accordance with this Regulation, he shall so inform the 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 1 to this Regulation.

11. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Every partitioning system shall be accompanied by instructions of the following content or kind in the language or languages of the country in which it is to be placed on sale.

11.1. Installation instructions which specify for which vehicle type(s) the assembly is suitable and the correct method(s) of attachment(s) of the assembly to the vehicles.

11.2. User instructions which specify the instructions to ensure the user obtains the maximum benefit from the partitioning system. In these instructions reference shall be made to:

(a) the importance of using the partitioning system on all journeys where luggage is transported;

(b) the correct adjustment and positioning of the partitioning system;

(c) method of operating any adjustment and/or locking system incorporated in the partitioning system;

(d) the recommended placement of luggage and its restraint within the luggage compartment of the vehicle type(s) for which the partitioning system is intended;

(e) the need to replace partitioning systems that are damaged.

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

The Contracting Parties to the 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.

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