COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 04.11.1996 
COM(96) 541 final 
94/0323 (COD) 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the European Parliament's amendments 
to the Council's common position regarding the 
proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
Relating to The Front-Impact Resistance of Motor Vehicles and 
Amending Directive 70/156/EEC 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

1. BACKGROUND 
1.1 Obj ective-TDf the proposal 
Thé reduction of the number of people killed or seriously injured in road 
accidents by the introduction of new standards for the frontal impact resistance of 
passenger cars. The new test procedure would be mandatory for new vehicle 
types approved after 1 October 1998 and would apply to all new vehicles 
registered after 1' October 2003. 
1.2 Commission original proposal 13.12.94 
1.3 Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee "05.07.95 
1.4 Opinion of the European Parliament on first reading * 12.07.95 
The Parliament rejected the first stage of the two-stage approach proposed by the 
Commission in favour of a single phase based on the offset deformable barrier 
test. A series of amendments supplied technical details of the test which were not 
available to the Commission at the time of drafting the original proposal. The 
Commission accepted almost all the amendments. 
1.5 Commission amended proposal (COM(95) 510) 27.11.95 
1.6 Adoption of the Common Position 28.05.96 
The Council accepted the amended proposal of the Commission and made a 
number of changes to both the articles and technical annexes, further improving 
the precision of the text. In particular an appendix was added to Annex II to 
provide a certification procedure for the ankle joint of the test dummy. 
1.7 Commission response to the Common Position 13.06.96 
-2r 
2. POSITION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - SECOND READING 
2.1 The Parliament at its plenary session in September 1996 accepted the substance of 
the Common Position but added the 13 amendments recommended by the 
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy (EMAC). 
These amendments concerned the technical details of the new Appendix 7, 
updating in respect of further research by the European Experimental Vehicles 
Committee (EEVC). 
2.2 The Rapporteur for EMAC indicated that the Commission might wish to place a 
reserve on some of the figures in the amendments tabled. 
2.3 The Commission, in accepting the amendments in principle, stated that if further 
changes to the technical details should be required, these could be incorporated 
either by agreement between the Institutions or via the Committee for Adaptation 
to Technical Progress. 
3. COMMISSION POSITION 
3.1 The Commission can accept all 13 amendments since they improve further the 
precision and practicability of the procedure for certification of the ankle of the 
test dummy. 
3.2 The Commission also notes that the amendments are based on the ongoing 
research of the European Experimental Vehicles Committee. In the light of the 
final report of this Committee, the Commission will, in due time, amend certain 
technical details of Appendix 7 through the procedure of Adaptation to Technical 
Progress. 
Amended Proposal For A 
Directive of The European Parliament And Of The Council 
Relating to The Front-Impact Resistance of Motor Vehicles and 
Amending Directive 70/156/EEC 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189A(2) of the EC Treaty) 
2 &vj-
1. Annex II Appendix 7 § 1.4.1 
Common Position 
1.4.1 When each tibia is impacted at 2.1 
± 0.3 m/s in accordance with 
paragraph 1.3, the impact force, 
which is the product of the 
pendulum mass and the 
deceleration, shall be 5 ± 1 kN. Amended Proposal 
1.4.1 When each tibia is impacted at 2.1 
± 0.03 m/s in accordance with 
paragraph 1.3, the impact force, 
which is the product of the 
pendulum mass and the 
deceleration, shall be 2.3 ± 0.3 
kN. 
2. Annex II Appendix 7 § 2.2 
Common Position 
2.2 The complete Hybrid III lower leg 
assembly, left (86-5001-001) and 
right (86-5001-002) shall be used, 
including the knee assembly. The 
load cell simulator (78051-319 
Rev A) shall be used to secure the 
knee-cap assembly (78051-319 
Rev B) to the test fixture. Amended Proposal 
2.2 The complete Hybrid III lower leg 
assembly, left (86-5001-001) and 
right (86-5001-002), equipped 
with the foot and ankle assembly, 
left (78051-614) and right (78051-
615), shall be used, including the 
knee assembly. The load cell 
simulator (78051-319 Rev A) 
shall be used to secure the knee­
cap assembly (78051-319 Rev B) 
to the test fixture.. 
3. Annex II Appendix 7 § 2.3.2 a (new) 
Common Position Amended Proposal 
2.3.2 a Align the impactor accelerometer 
with its sensitive axis parallel to 
the direction of impact at contact 
with the foot. 
4. Annex II Appendix 7 § 2.3.3 
Common Position 
2.3.3 Mount the leg assembly to the 
fixture shown in Figure 2. The test 
fixture shall be rigidly secured to 
prevent movement during impact. 
The centre line of the femur load 
cell simulator (78051-319) shall be 
vertical ±0.5°. The lower leg shall 
rest on a rigid horizontal platform. 
Adjust the mount such that the calf 
of the leg is 10 ± 5 mm. above the 
surface and the heel rests on a flat, 
low-friction (PTFE sheet) surface. 
Set the ankle joint to 90°. Adjust 
the knee and ankle joint to 1.5 ± 0.5 
g range before each test. Amended Proposal 
2.3.3 Mount the leg assembly to the 
fixture shown in Figure la. The 
test fixture shall be rigidly secured 
to prevent movement during 
impact. The centre line of the 
femur load cell simulator (78051-
319) shall be vertical ± 0.5°. Adjust 
the mount such that the line joining 
the knee clevis joint and the ankle 
attachment bolt are horizontal ±3° 
with the heel resting on a two 
sheets of low friction (PTFE) 
material. Ensure that the tibia flesh 
is located towards the knee end of 
the tibia. Adjust the ankle such that 
the plane of the underside of the 
foot is vertical ± 3°. Adjust the 
knee and ankle joint to 1.5 ± 0.5 g 
range before each test. 
5. Annex II Appendix 7 § 2.3.4 
Common Position 
2.3.4 The rigid impactor shall have a 
mass of 1.25 ± 0.05 kg including 
instrumentation. The impact face 
shall be a cylinder of radius 25 ± 1 
mm mounted with its longitudinal 
axis horizontal and perpendicular to 
the direction of impact. The 
pendulum shall impact the 
underside of the foot, at a distance 
of 185 ±2 mm from the base of the 
heel resting on the rigid horizontal 
platform, so that the longitudinal 
centre line of the pendulum arm 
falls within 1 ° of a vertical line at 
impact. The impactor shall be 
guided to exclude significant 
lateral, vertical or rotational 
movement at time-zero. Amended Proposal 
2.3.4 The rigid impactor comprises a 
horizontal cylinder diameter-50 ± 2 
mm and a pendulum support arm 
diameter 19 ± 1 mm (Figure 3a). 
The cylinder has a mass of 1,25 ± 
0.02 kg including instrumentation 
and any part of the support arm 
within the cylinder. The pendulum 
arm has a mass of 285 ± 5 g. The 
mass of any rotating part of the axle 
to which the support arm is 
attached should not be greater than 
100 g. The length between the 
central horizontal axis of the 
impactor cylinder and the axis of 
rotation of the whole pendulum 
shall be 1250 ± 1 mm. The impact 
cylinder is mounted with its 
longitudinal axis horizontal and 
perpendicular to the direction of 
impact. The pendulum shall impact 
the underside of the foot, at a 
distance of 185 ±2 mm from the 
base of the heel resting on the rigid 
horizontal platform, so that the 
longitudinal centre line of the 
pendulum arm falls within 1° of a 
vertical line at impact. The 
impactor shall be guided to exclude 
significant lateral, vertical or 
rotational movement at time-zero. 
-6-
6. Annex II Appendix 7 § 2.4.1 
Common Position Amended Proposal 
2.4.1 When the ball of each foot is 
impacted at 6.7 ± 0.2 m/s in 
accordance with Paragraph 2.3, the 
maximum tibia bending moment 
about the y-axis (My) shall be 
between 180 and 220 Nm. 2.4.1 When the ball of each foot is 
impacted at 6.7 ± 0.2 m/s in 
accordance with Paragraph 2.3, the 
maximum tibia bending moment 
about the y-axis (My) shall be 
between 100 Nm and 140 Nm. 
7. Annex II Appendix 7 § 3.2 
Common Position 
1.2 The complete Hybrid III lower leg 
assembly, left (86-5001-001) and 
right (86-5001-002) shall be used, 
including the knee assembly. The 
load cell simulator (78051-319 Rev 
A) shall be used to secure the knee­
cap assembly (78051-16 Rev B) to 
the test fixture. Amended Proposal 
3.2 The complete Hybrid III lower leg 
assembly, left (86-5001-001) and 
right (86-5001-002), equipped with 
the foot and ankle assembly, left 
(78051-614) and right (78051-615) 
shall be used, including the knee 
assembly. The load cell simulator 
(78051-319 Rev A) shall be used to 
secure the knee-cap assembly 
(78051-16 Rev B) to the test 
fixture. 
8. Annex II Appendix 7 § 3.3.4 
Common Position Amended Proposal 
3.3.4 Mount the leg assembly to the 
fixture shown in Figure 1. The test 
fixture shall be rigidly secured to 
prevent movement during impact. 
The centre line of the femur load 
cell simulator (78051-319) shall be 
vertical ± 0.5°. The lower leg shall 
rest on a rigid horizontal platform. 
Adjust the mount such that the calf 
of the leg is 10 ± 5 mm above the 
• surface and the heel rests on a flat, 
low-friction (PTFE sheet) surface. 
Set the ankle joint to 90°. Adjust 
the knee and ankle joint to 1.5 ± 0.5 
g range before each test. 3.3.4 Mount the leg assembly to the 
fixture shown in Figure lh. The 
test fixture shall be rigidly secured 
to prevent movement during 
impact. The centre line of the 
femur load cell simulator (78051-
319) shall be vertical ± 0.5°. Adjust 
the mount such that the line joining 
the knee clevis joint and the ankle 
attachment bolt is horizontal ±3° 
with the heel resting two sheets of 
low friction (PTFE) material. 
Ensure that the tibia flesh is located 
towards the knee end of the tibia. 
Adjust the ankle such that the plane 
of the underside of the foot is 
vertical ± 3°._Adjust the knee and 
ankle joint to 1.5 ± 0.5 g range 
before each test. 
9. Annex II Appendix 7 § 
Common Position 
3.3.5 The rigid impactor shall have a 
mass of 1.25 ± 0.05 kg including 
instrumentation. The impact face 
shall be a cylinder of radius 25 ± 1 
mm mounted with its longitudinal 
axis horizontal and perpendicular to 
the direction of impact. The 
pendulum shall impact the 
underside of the foot, at a distance 
of 62 ± 2 mm from the base of the 
heel resting on the rigid horizontal 
platform, so that the longitudinal 
centre line of the pendulum arm 
falls within 1 ° of a vertical line at 
impact. The impactor shall be 
guided to exclude significant 
lateral, vertical or rotational 
movement at time-zero. 3.3.5 3.3.5 
Amended Proposal 
The rigid impactor comprises a 
horizontal cylinder diameter 50 ± 2 
mm and a pendulum support arm 
diameter 19 ± 1 mm (Figure 3a). 
The cylinder has a mass of 1,25 ± 
0.02 kg including instrumentation 
and any part of the support arm 
within the cylinder. The pendulum 
arm has a mass of 285 ± 5 g. The 
mass of any rotating part of the axle 
to which the support arm is 
attached should not be greater than 
100 g. The length between the 
central horizontal axis of the 
impactor cylinder and the axis of 
rotation of the whole pendulum 
shall be 1250 ± 1 mm. The impact 
cylinder is mounted with its 
longitudinal axis horizontal and 
perpendicular to the direction of 
impact. The pendulum shall impact 
the underside of the foot, at a 
distance of 62 ± 2 mm from the 
base of the heel resting on the rigid 
horizontal platform, so that the 
longitudinal centre line of the 
pendulum arm falls within 1° of a 
vertical line at impact. The 
impactor shall be guided to exclude 
significant lateral, vertical or 
rotational movement at time-zero. 
10. Annex II Appendix 7 § 3.4.1 
Common Position 
.4.1 When the heel of each foot is 
impacted at 4.4 ± 0.2 m/s in 
accordance with Paragraph 3.3, the 
impact force, which is the product 
of the pendulum mass and the 
deceleration, shall be 5 ± 1.0 kN. Amended Proposal 
3.4.1 When the heel of each foot is 
impacted at 4.4 ± 0.2 m/s in 
accordance with Paragraph 3.3, the 
maximum impactor acceleration 
shall be 340 +/- 50 g. 
Figure la 
Upper Foot Impact Test - Test Setup Specification 
vertical 
plane 
horizontal 
plane 1250 ± 1mm 
1.25 ±0,05 kg 
185 ± 2mm 
two layers of 
low friction material 
LLl.l-t-Ul-L.CH_U.LU LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLj 
<•» ii ' • i •* ' ' ' * *" 
-fc-
Figure 1 b 
Lower Foot Impact Test - Test Setup Specification 
vertical 
plane 
horizonta 
plane i 1250 ± 1mm 
ij ' 1,25 ±0,05 kg 
62 ± 2mm 
rLLLLJLLCLLLLLLLL4 
hbtbLbLbbLhbLub two layers of 
low fnction material 
tLLLLLLLL.CCLLCLL< LLLLLLLLLLLLLLUl 
-11-
MATERIAL: ALUMINIUM ALLOY 
MASS OF ARM: 285 ± S 9 
MASS OF IMPACT CYLINDER: 1250 ± 20Q 
s-> < 
z 
->. 
o 
E 
E 
m 
(N 19 + 1 mrnQ/D TUBE 
x 1.6mm WALL 
ACCELEROMETER c 
0) 
LOW FRICTION BEARING 
PENDULUM IMPACTOR 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 541 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 07 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-546-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-10708-5 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
- '15-