Regulation 16.08 Consolidated to Supplement 2 Safety belts, ISOFIX and i-Size（Part 5）
- REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE INSTALLATION IN THE VEHICLE
8.1. Safety-belt and restraint systems equipment
8.1.1. With the exception of seating intended solely for use when the vehicle is stationary, the seats of vehicles of categories M1, M2 (of Class III or B8), M3 (of Class III or B8) and N shall be equipped with safety-belts or restraint systems which satisfy the requirements of this Regulation. Contracting Parties applying this Regulation may demand the installation of safety belts on M2 and M3 vehicles belonging to Class II.
When fitted, the safety belts and/or restraint systems in Class I, II or A vehicles belonging to category M2 or M3 have to be in compliance with the requirements of this Regulation.
Contracting Parties may, under national law, allow the installation of safety belts or restraint systems other than those covered by this Regulation provided that they are intended for disabled people. Restraint systems complying with the provisions of Annex 8 of the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 107 are exempted from the provisions of this Regulation. Class I, or A vehicles belonging to category M2 or M3 may be fitted with safety belts and/or restraint systems conforming to the requirements of this Regulation.
Only vehicles belonging to category M2 or M3 may be fitted with restraint systems comprising a flexible shoulder adjustment device for height (paragraph 2.14.7.).
8.1.2. The types of safety-belts or restraint systems for each seating position where installation is required shall be those specified in Annex 16 (with which neither non-locking retractors (paragraph 2.14.1.) nor manually unlocking retractor (paragraph 2.14.2.) can be used). For all seating positions where lap belts type B are specified in Annex 16 lap belts type Br3 are permitted except in the case that, in use, they retract to such an extent as to reduce comfort in a notable way after normal buckling up.
8.1.2.1. However, for outboard seating positions, other than front, of vehicles of the category N1 shown in Annex 16 and marked with the symbol Ø, the installation of a lap belt of type Br4m or Br4Nm is allowed, where there exists a passage between a seat and the nearest side wall of the vehicle intended to permit access of passengers to other parts of the vehicle. A space between a seat and the side wall is considered as a passage, if the distance between that side wall, with all doors closed, and a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the centre line of the seat concerned – measured at the R-point position and perpendicularly to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle – is more than 500 mm.
8.1.3. Where no safety-belts are required any type of safety-belt or restraint system conforming to this Regulation may be provided at the choice of the manufacturer. A-type belts of the types permitted in Annex 16 may be provided as an alternative to lap belts for those seating positions where lap belts are specified in Annex 16.
8.1.4. On three point belts fitted with retractors, one retractor shall operate at least on the diagonal strap.
8.1.5. Except for vehicles of category M1 an emergency locking retractor of type 4N (paragraph 2.14.5.) may be permitted instead of a retractor of type 4 (paragraph 2.14.4.) where it has been shown to the satisfaction of the services responsible for the tests that the fitting of a type 4 retractor would not be practical.
8.1.6. For the front outboard and the front centre seating positions shown in Annex 16 and marked with the symbol *, lap belts of the type specified on that annex shall be considered adequate where the windscreen is located outside the reference zone defined in Annex 1 to UN Regulation No. 21.
As regards safety-belts, the windscreen is considered as part of the reference zone when it is capable of entering into static contact with the test apparatus according to the method described in Annex 1 of Regulation No. 21.
8.1.7. Every seating position in Annex 16 marked with the symbol ·, three-point belts of a type specified in Annex 16 shall be provided unless one of the following conditions is fulfilled, in which case two-point belts of a type specified in Annex 16 may be provided.
8.1.7.1. There is a seat or other vehicle parts conforming to paragraph 3.5. of Appendix 1 to UN Regulation No. 80 directly in front, or
8.1.7.2. No part of the vehicle is in or, when the vehicle is in motion, capable of being in the reference zone; or
8.1.7.3. Parts of the vehicle within the said reference zone comply with the energy absorbing requirements set out in Appendix 6 of UN Regulation No. 80.
8.1.7.4. Paragraphs 8.1.7.1. to 8.1.7.3. shall not apply to a driver’s seat.
8.1.8. The vehicle shall carry information to the effect that it is equipped with frontal protection airbags for seats.
8.1.8.1. For a vehicle fitted with an airbag assembly intended to protect the driver, this information shall consist of the inscription “AIRBAG” located in the interior of the circumference of the steering wheel; this inscription shall be durably affixed and easily visible
8.1.8.2. Every passenger seating position which is fitted with a frontal protection airbag shall be provided with a warning against the use of a rearward-facing child restraint in that seating position. This information shall consist of a label containing clear warning pictograms as indicated below:
Figure 1 – Warning Label
The overall dimensions of the label shall be at least 120 x 60 mm or the equivalent area.
The label may be adapted in such a way that the layout differs from the example shown here; however, the content shall meet the precise prescriptions. Furthermore, no other type of information shall be included on the label unless it is placed outside a clearly marked rectangle with at least the overall dimensions as required above. In derogation to the aforementioned, a part number, bar code or similar identification mark not exceeding 8 mm x 35 mm or the equivalent area may be placed on the label.
It shall also be ensured that no deviations in the shape and orientation of the provided pictograms are permitted, notably that any customised appearance of the prescribed pictogram images shall be prohibited, with the exception of the hand with pointing index finger and the open face booklet with letter ‘i’ on its right page provided that they are clearly recognisable as such.
Small irregularities concerning line thickness, label imprinting and other relevant production tolerances shall be accepted.
Figure 2 – Pictogram according to ISO 2575:2004 – Z.01 that shall be used and that shall have an outer diameter of at least 38 mm
Figure 3 – Pictogram depicting airbag deployment danger that shall be used and that shall measure 40 mm in width and 28 mm in height or proportionally larger
8.1.8.3. In the case of a frontal protection airbag placed before the front passenger seats, the warning shall be durably affixed to each face of the passenger front sun visor in such a position that at least one warning on the sun visor is visible at all times, irrespective of the position of the sun visor. Alternatively, one warning shall be located on the visible face of the stowed sun visor and a second warning shall be located on the roof behind the visor, so, at least one warning is visible all times. It shall not be possible to easily remove the warning label from the visor and the roof without any obvious and clearly visible damage remaining to the visor or the roof in the interior of the vehicle.
If the vehicle does not have a sun visor or roof, the warning label shall be positioned in a location where it is clearly visible at all times.
In the case of a frontal protection airbag for other passenger seats in the vehicle, the warning shall be directly ahead of the relevant seat, and clearly visible at all times to someone installing a rear-facing child restraint on that seat. This paragraph and paragraph 8.1.8.2. do not apply to those passenger seating positions equipped with a device which automatically deactivates the frontal protection airbag assembly
when any rearward facing child restraint is installed.
8.1.8.4. Detailed information, … as a minimum, this information shall include at least the following text:
“NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it,
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur” 9
The text shall be accompanied by an illustration of the warning label as found in the vehicle. The information shall be easily found in the owner’s manual (e.g. specific reference to the information printed on the first page, identifying page tab or separate booklet, etc.).
The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to vehicles of which all passenger seating positions are equipped with a device which automatically deactivates the frontal protection airbag assembly when any rearward facing child restraint is installed.
8.1.9. In the case of seats capable of being turned to or placed in other orientations, designed for use when the vehicle is stationary, the requirements of paragraph 8.1.1. above shall only apply to those orientations
designated for normal use when the vehicle is travelling on a road, in accordance with this Regulation.
8.2. General requirements
8.2.1. Safety-belts, restraint systems, and ISOFIX child restraint systems, as well as i-Size child restraint systems according to Annex 17, Appendix 3, shall be fixed to anchorages and in case of i-Size child restraint systems, supported by a vehicle floor contact surface, conforming to the specifications of UN Regulation No. 14 or UN Regulation No. 145, such as the design and dimensional characteristics, the number of anchorages, and the strength requirements.
8.2.2. The safety-belts, restraint systems and child restraint systems recommended by the manufacturer according to Annex 17 -Appendix 3, shall be so installed that they will work satisfactorily and reduce the risk of bodily injury in the event of an accident. In particular, they shall be so installed that:
8.2.2.1. The straps are not liable to assume a dangerous configuration;
8.2.2.2. The danger of a correctly positioned belt slipping from the shoulder of a wearer as a result of his/her forward movement is reduced to a minimum.
8.2.2.3. The risk of the strap deteriorating through contact with sharp parts of the vehicle or seat structure, and child restraint systems recommended by the manufacturer according to Annex 17 -Appendix 3, is reduced to a minimum.
8.2.2.4. The design and installation of every safety-belt provided for each seating position shall be such as to be readily available for use. Furthermore, where the complete seat or the seat cushion and/or the seat back can be folded to permit access to rear of the vehicle or to goods or luggage compartment, after folding and restoring those seats to the seating position, the safety-belts provided for those seats shall be accessible for use or can be easily recovered from under or behind the seat, by one person, according to instructions in the vehicle users handbook, without the need for that person to have training or practice;
8.2.2.5. The Technical Service shall verify that, with the buckle tongue engaged in the buckle:
8.2.2.5.1. The possible slack in the belt does not prevent the correct installation of child restraint systems recommended by the manufacturer, and
8.2.2.5.2. In the case of three-point belts, a tension of at least 50 N can be established in the lap section of the belt by external application of tension in the diagonal section of the belt, when positioned:
(a) On a 10-year manikin as specified in Annex 8, Appendix 1 to UN Regulation No. 44 and set in accordance with Annex 17, Appendix 4 to the present Regulation;
(b) Or on the fixture specified in Annex 17, Appendix 1, Figure 1 to the present Regulation for the seats that enable the installation of a child restraint device of universal category.
8.3. Special requirements for rigid parts incorporated in safety-belts or restraint systems
8.3.1. Rigid parts, such as the buckles, adjusting devices and attachments, shall not increase the risk of bodily
8.3.2. The device for releasing the buckle shall be clearly visible to the wearer and within his easy reach and shall be so designed that it cannot be opened inadvertently or accidentally. The buckle shall also be located in such a position that it is readily accessible to a rescuer needing to release the wearer in an emergency.
The buckle shall be so installed that, both when not under load and when sustaining the wearer’s mass, it is capable of being released by the wearer with a single simple movement of either hand in one direction.
In the case of a safety-belts or restraint systems for front outboard seating positions, except if these are harness belts, the buckle shall also be capable of being locked in the same manner.
A check shall be made to ensure that, if the buckle is in contact with the wearer, the width of the contact surface is not less than 46 mm.
A check shall be made to ensure that, if the buckle is in contact with the wearer, the contact surface satisfies the requirements of paragraph 6.2.2.1. of this Regulation.
8.3.3. When the belt is being worn, it shall either adjust automatically to fit the wearer or be so designed that the manual adjusting device is readily accessible to the wearer when seated and is convenient and easy to use. It shall also be possible for it to be tightened with one hand to suit the build of the wearer and the position of the vehicle seat.
8.3.4. Safety-belts or restraint systems incorporating retractors shall be so installed that the retractors are able to operate correctly and stow the strap efficiently. In case of both a belt adjusting device and a flexible shoulder adjustment device for height, in at least their highest and their lowest position, checks shall be made that the retractor automatically adjusts the strap to the shoulder of the concerned wearer after buckling, as well as that the tongue-plate rolls up in case of an unbuckling.
8.3.5. In order to inform vehicle user(s) of the provisions made for the transport of children, vehicles of Categories M1, M2, M3 and N1 shall meet the information requirements of Annex 17. Any vehicle of
Category M1 shall be equipped with ISOFIX positions, in accordance with the relevant prescriptions of UN Regulation No. 14 or UN Regulation No. 145.
The first ISOFIX position shall allow at least the installation of one out of the three forward-facing fixtures as defined in Appendix 2 of Annex 17; the second ISOFIX position shall allow at least the installation of one rear-facing fixture as defined in Appendix 2 of Annex 17. For this second ISOFIX position, in case where the installation of the rear-facing fixture is not possible on the second row of seats of the vehicle due to its design, the installation of one fixture is allowed in any position of the vehicle.
8.3.6. Any i-Size seating position shall allow the installation of the ISOFIX child restraint fixture “ISO/F2X”, “ISO/R2”, and the support leg installation assessment volume as defined in Appendix 2 of Annex 17, as well as the booster seat fixture “ISO/B2” as defined in Appendix 5 of Annex 17, without the ISOFIX attachments (see detail B). It shall be possible to occupy all adjacent i-Size seating positions simultaneously. This is deemed to be demonstrated when the vertical median planes of individual adjacent positions are at least 440 mm apart.
8.4. Safety-belt reminder equipment.
8.4.1. Requirements per specific seating position and exemptions
8.4.1.1. The seating position of the driver of M and N categories of vehicles10 as well as the seating positions of the occupants of seats in the same row as the driver seat of M and N categories of vehicles shall be equipped with a safety-belt reminder satisfying the requirements of paragraph 8.4.3.
8.4.1.2. All seating positions of the rear seat row(s) of M1 and N1 category vehicles9[R1608r10-3] shall be equipped with a safety-belt reminder satisfying the requirements of paragraph 8.4.4.
Where the vehicle manufacturer provides a safety-belt reminder system on a rear seating position in another category of vehicle, the safety-belt reminder system may be approved according to this Regulation.
8.4.1.3. A safety-belt reminder is not compulsory on folding seats (i.e. normally folded and designed for occasional use, e.g. foldable crew seats in the buses and coaches) as well as seating positions fitted with an S-type belt (including Harness belt).
Notwithstanding paragraphs 8.4.1.1. and 8.4.1.2. above, safety belt reminders are also not required for rear seats in ambulances, hearses, and motor-caravans as well as for all seats for vehicles used for transport of disabled persons, vehicles intended for use by the armed services, civil defence, fire services and forces responsible for maintaining public order.
8.4.2. General requirements 8.4.2.1. Visual warning
8.4.2.1.1. The visual warning shall be so located as to be readily visible and recognisable in the daylight and at night time by the driver and distinguishable from other alerts.
8.4.2.1.2. The visual warning shall be a steady or flashing tell-tale.
8.4.2.2. Audible warning
8.4.2.2.1. The audible warning shall consist of a continuous or an intermittent (pauses shall not exceed 1 second) sound signal or of continuous vocal information. Where vocal information is employed, the vehicle manufacturer shall ensure that the alert is able to employ the languages of the market into which the vehicle is intended to be placed.
8.4.2.2.2. Audible warning shall be easily recognized by the driver.
8.4.2.3. First level warning
8.4.2.3.1. The first level warning shall be at least a visual warning activated for 30 seconds or longer for seating positions covered by paragraph 8.4.1.1. and for 60 seconds or longer for seating positions covered by paragraph 8.4.1.2. when the safety-belt of any of the seats is not fastened and the ignition switch or master control switch is activated
8.4.2.3.2. The first level warning may be discontinued when:
(a) None of the safety-belts which triggered the warning are unfastened;or
(b) The seat or seats which triggered the warning are no longer occupied.
8.4.2.3.3. The activation of the first level warning shall be tested according to the test procedure defined in Annex 18, paragraph 1.
8.4.2.4. Second level warning
8.4.2.4.1. The second level warning shall be a visual and audible signal activated for at least 30 seconds not counting periods in which the warning may stop for up to 3 seconds when at least one or any combination of the conditions at the choice of manufacturer, set out in paragraphs 8.4.2.4.1.1. to 8.4.2.4.1.3. is/are fulfilled. The second level warning shall supersede the first level warning when the first level warning is still active.
8.4.2.4.1.1.The distance driven greater than the distance threshold. The threshold shall not exceed 500 m. The distance driven when the vehicle is not in normal operation shall be excluded.
8.4.2.4.1.2.The vehicle speed greater than the speed threshold. The threshold shall not exceed 25 km/h.
8.4.2.4.1.3.The duration time (engine running, propulsion system activated, etc.) is greater than the duration time threshold. The threshold shall not exceed 60 seconds. The first level warning duration time and the duration time when the vehicle is not in normal operation shall be excluded.
8.4.2.4.2. The thresholds to trigger safety belt reminder listed in paragraphs 8.4.2.4.1.1. to 8.4.2.4.1.3., may be reset when:
(a)Any of the doors have been opened while the vehicle is not in normal operation: or
(b)The seat or seats which triggered the warning are no longer occupied.
8.4.2.4.3. The second level warning may be discontinued when:
(a)None of the safety-belts which triggered the warning are unfastened;
(b)The vehicle ceases to be in normal operation; or
(c)The seat or seats which triggered the warning are no longer occupied.
8.4.2.4.4. The second level warning shall be resumed for the remainder of the required duration when one or any combination of the conditions, at the choice of the manufacturer, set out in paragraphs 8.4.2.4.1.1. to
8.4.2.4.1.3. is/are again fulfilled.
8.4.2.4.5. For the condition that a safety belt becomes unfastened pursuant to paragraphs 8.4.3.3. and 8.4.4.5., the thresholds set out in paragraphs 8.4.2.4.1.1. to 8.4.2.4.1.3. shall be measured from the point in time at which unfastening occurs.
8.4.2.4.6. The activation of the second level warning shall be tested according to the test procedure defined in Annex 18, paragraph 2.
8.4.3. Safety-belt reminder for driver and occupants of seats in the same row as the driver.
8.4.3.1. Safety-belt reminders for driver and occupants of seats in the same row as the driver shall fulfil the requirements set out in paragraph 8.4.2.
8.4.3.2. The colour and symbol of the visual warning shall be as defined in item 21 in Table 1 of UN Regulation No. 121.
8.4.3.3. The second level warning shall be activated when a safety-belt is or becomes unfastened while the vehicle is in normal operation and while, at the same time, any one condition or any combination of the conditions, at the choice of the manufacturer, set out in paragraphs 8.4.2.4.1.1. to 8.4.2.4.1.3. is satisfied.
8.4.4. Safety-belt reminder for occupants of rear seat row(s).
8.4.4.1.Safety-belt reminders for occupants of rear row(s) shall fulfil the requirements set out in paragraph 8.4.2. 8.4.4.2. The visual warning shall indicate at least all rear seating positions to allow the driver to identify, while facing forward as seated on the driver seat, any seating position in which the safety-belt is unfastened. For vehicles that have information on the occupancy status of the rear seats, the visual warning does not need to indicate unfastened safety-belts for unoccupied seating positions. For seats, which can be fixed to different designated seating positions within the vehicle (e.g. floor rail mounted), the visual warning shall at least indicate when any rear safety belt is unfastened[R16.08s2-4]. 8.4.4.3. The colour of the visual warning may be other than red and the symbol of the visual warning for safety-belts covered by paragraph 8.4.1.2 may contain different symbols other than defined in UN Regulation No.121. In addition, the first level warning of seating positions covered by paragraph 8.4.1.2 may be cancellable by the driver.
8.4.4.4. A common tell-tale may be used for safety-belts covered by paragraphs 8.4.1.1 and 8.4.1.2.
8.4.4.5. The second level warning shall be activated when a safety-belt becomes unfastened while the vehicle is in normal operation and while, at the same time, any one condition or any combination of the conditions, at the choice of the manufacturer, set out in paragraphs 8.4.2.4.1.1. to 8.4.2.4.1.3. is satisfied.
8.4.5. The safety-belt reminder may be designed to allow deactivation.
8.4.5.1 In the case that a short term deactivation is provided, it shall be significantly more difficult to deactivate the safety-belt reminder than buckling the safety-belt on and off (i.e. it shall consist of an operation of specific controls that are not integrated in the safety-belt buckle) and this operation shall only be possible when the vehicle is stationary. When the ignition or master control switch is deactivated for more than 30 minutes and activated again, a short-term deactivated safety-belt reminder shall reactivate. It shall not be possible to provide short term deactivation of the relevant visual warning(s).
8.4.5.2. In the case that a facility for a long term deactivation is provided, it shall require a sequence of operations to deactivate, that are detailed only in the manufacturer’s technical manual and/or which requires the use of tools (mechanical, electrical, digital, etc.) that are not provided with the vehicle. It shall not be possible to provide long term deactivation of the relevant visual warning(s).
