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
Date: 1996-11-04
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: motor vehicle, technical standard, technological change, transport accident, transport safety

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. 

Commission original proposal 

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee 

13.12.94 

"05.07.95 

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. 

Commission amended proposal (COM(95) 510) 

Adoption of the Common Position 

27.11.95 

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. 

1.2 

1.3 

1.4 

1.5 

1.6 

1.7 

Commission response to the Common Position 

13.06.96 

-2r 

2. 

2.1 

2.2 

2.3 

3. 

3.1 

3.2 

POSITION  OF THE EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT - SECOND  READING 

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). 

The  Rapporteur  for  EMAC  indicated  that the  Commission  might  wish to  place  a 
reserve on some of the figures  in the amendments tabled. 

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. 

COMMISSION  POSITION 

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. 

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 

& v j-

1.  Annex II Appendix 7 § 1.4.1 

Common  Position 

Amended  Proposal 

1.4.1  When each tibia is impacted at 2.1 
±  0.3  m/s  in  accordance  with 
paragraph  1.3,  the  impact  force, 
the 
which 
is 
the 
mass 
pendulum 
deceleration, shall be 5 ±  1  kN. 

the  product  of 

and 

1.4.1  When each tibia is impacted at 2.1 
±  0.03  m/s  in  accordance  with 
paragraph  1.3,  the  impact  force, 
the 
is 
which 
the 
mass 
pendulum 
deceleration,  shall  be  2.3  ±  0.3 
kN. 

the  product  of 

and 

2.  Annex II Appendix 7 § 2.2 

Common  Position 

Amended  Proposal 

2.2 

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. 

(86-5001-002), 

The complete Hybrid III lower leg 
assembly,  left  (86-5001-001)  and 
right 
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 

Amended  Proposal 

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. 

2.3.3  Mount  the  leg  assembly 

prevent  movement 

to  the 
fixture  shown  in  Figure  la.  The 
test  fixture  shall  be  rigidly  secured 
to 
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 
(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. 

friction 

low 

5.  Annex II Appendix 7 § 2.3.4 

Common  Position 

Amended  Proposal 

2.3.4 

impact 

impact. 

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 
the  direction  of 
pendulum 
the 
shall 
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 
The  impactor  shall  be 
impact. 
significant 
exclude 
to 
guided 
lateral, 
rotational 
or 
vertical 
movement  at time-zero. 

2.3.4 

the 

support  arm 

impactor  comprises  a 
The  rigid 
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 
is 
to  which 
attached  should  not  be  greater  than 
100  g.  The  length  between  the 
the 
central  horizontal  axis  of 
impactor  cylinder  and  the  axis  of 
rotation  of  the  whole  pendulum 
shall  be  1250  ±  1 mm.  The  impact 
its 
cylinder 
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 
the 
horizontal  platform,  so 
longitudinal  centre 
the 
pendulum  arm  falls  within  1°  of  a 
The 
vertical 
impactor  shall be guided to  exclude 
significant 
or 
lateral, 
rotational movement at time-zero. 

is  mounted  with 

that 
line  of 

line  at 

vertical 

impact. 

- 6-

6.  Annex II Appendix 7 § 2.4.1 

Common Position 

Amended  Proposal 

is 
2.4.1  When  the  ball  of  each  foot 
in 
impacted  at  6.7  ±  0.2  m/s 
accordance  with  Paragraph  2.3, the 
maximum  tibia  bending  moment 
about  the  y-axis  (My)  shall  be 
between  180 and 220 Nm. 

is 
2.4.1  When  the  ball  of  each  foot 
in 
impacted  at  6.7  ±  0.2  m/s 
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 

Amended  Proposal 

1.2 

3.2 

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. 

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 
assembly 
secure 
(78051-16  Rev  B) 
test 
the 
fixture. 

the  knee-cap 

to 

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 

prevent  movement 

to  the 
fixture  shown  in  Figure  lh.  The 
test  fixture  shall  be  rigidly  secured 
to 
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 
(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. 

friction 

9.  Annex II Appendix 7 § 

3.3.5 

Common  Position 

Amended  Proposal 

3.3.5 

impact 

impact. 

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 
the  direction  of 
pendulum 
the 
shall 
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 
The  impactor  shall  be 
impact. 
exclude 
significant 
to 
guided 
lateral, 
rotational 
or 
vertical 
movement at time-zero. 

3.3.5 

the  support  arm 

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 
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 
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 
the 
the 
longitudinal  centre 
pendulum  arm  falls  within  1°  of  a 
vertical 
The 
impactor  shall be guided to  exclude 
significant 
or 
lateral, 
rotational movement at time-zero. 

is  mounted  with 

that 
line  of 

line  at 

vertical 

impact. 

10.  Annex II Appendix 7 § 3.4.1 

Common  Position 

Amended  Proposal 

.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. 

is 
3.4.1  When  the  heel  of  each  foot 
impacted  at  4.4  ±  0.2  m/s 
in 
accordance  with  Paragraph  3.3, the 
acceleration 
impactor 
maximum 
shall be 340 +/- 50 g. 

Figure  la 
Upper  Foot  Impact Test -  Test Setup  Specification 

vertical 
plane 

1250  ±  1mm 

1.25  ±0,05  kg 

185 ± 2mm 

two layers of 
low friction  material 

L L l . l - t - U l - L . C H _ U . LU 
L L L L L L L L L L L L L L Lj 
•*  ' 
<•» 

'  * 

*" 

ii 

• 

i 

' 

' 

horizontal 
plane 

- f c-

Figure  1 b 
Lower Foot Impact Test -  Test Setup  Specification 

vertical 
plane 

i  1250 ± 1mm 

ij 

'  1,25  ±0,05 kg 

62 ±  2mm 

rLLLLJLLCLLLLLLLL4 
hbtbLbLbbLhbLub 

tLLLLLLLL.CCLLCLL< 
L L L L L L L L L L L L L L Ul 

two layers  of 
low fnction material 

horizonta 
plane 

- 1 1-

MATERIAL:  ALUMINIUM  ALLOY 
MASS  OF  ARM:  285  ±  S 9 
MASS  OF  IMPACT  CYLINDER:  1250  ±  2 0Q 

19  +  1  mrnQ/D  TUBE 

x  1.6mm  WALL 

< 
z 
->. 
o 
E 
E 
m 
(N 

s-> 

ACCELEROMETER 

LOW  FRICTION  BEARING 

c 

0) 

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-