Starting July 7, 2024, the EU General Safety Regulation II (GSR II [1]) Will lead the way to a significant transformation in the automotive landscape. This regulatory framework is designed to drastically enhance road safety by mandating the inclusion of advanced safety technologies in all new cars, light and heavy commercial vehicles and buses.
GSR II, or General Safety Regulations 2, represents a crucial set of regulations enacted by the European Union aimed at obtaining vehicle type approval certificates. These regulations are updated periodically to reflect advancements in vehicle safety and technology.
Specifically, GSR II is a significant overhaul introduced to enhance vehicle safety standards by mandating the inclusion of advanced security features as standard equipment. This update was formalized under EU regulation 2019/2144, which was first adopted on November 27, 2019. The implementation of GSR II is occurring in two phases: the initial phase commenced on July 6, 2022, and full enforcement is scheduled for July 2024. With this regulatory update, previous standards were repealed, and new, more stringent safety regulations have been established.
• Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS): AEBS technology autonomously detects imminent collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, activating the brakes to prevent crashes. Utilizing sophisticated sensors and algorithms, this system plays a critical role in enhancing road safety by mitigating collision impacts.
• Emergency Lane Keeping System (ELKS): ELKS ensures that vehicles stay within their designated lanes by providing corrective steering inputs as needed. Relying on camera technology to monitor lane markings, ELKS helps prevent unintended lane departures, thereby reducing accident risks.
• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS): Often referred to interchangeably as “emergency stop signal” and “emergency stop light,” this system activates high-intensity hazard lights during sudden or heavy braking to alert trailing motorists. ESS is instrumental in preventing rear-end collisions by signaling abrupt vehicle decelerations.
• Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA): ISA assists drivers in maintaining safe driving speeds through real-time feedback and warnings. It can automatically adjust vehicle speed based on map data and traffic sign recognition, ensuring compliance with speed limits and significantly reducing speed-related accidents.
• Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW): This system monitors drivers for signs of fatigue or distraction, prompting them to take breaks or regain focus. By addressing key factors contributing to road accidents, DDAW enhances driver alertness and safety.
• Reversing Detection (REV): Employing cameras and sensors, REV provides a clear view behind the vehicle, alerting drivers to the presence of vulnerable road users or unseen obstacles, thereby lowering accident risks.
• Event Data Recorder (EDR): Designed to record and store critical data around the time of a collision, EDR is vital for accident analysis and aids in the development of safer vehicle designs.
• Enlarged Head Impact Zone: Vehicles, particularly passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, are required to be designed with an enlarged head impact protection zone. This feature aims to enhance the safety of external road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, by reducing potential injuries in the event of a collision.
The transition to General Safety Regulation II (GSR II) will significantly reshape the automotive sector, especially affecting vehicle importers and manufacturers.
A critical shift is that all imported vehicles must now meet GSR II standards, which mandate the inclusion of specified safety features as standard equipment across various vehicle categories.
Both distributors and manufacturers are required to expedite the sale of vehicles not compliant with GSR II before the transition is fully enforced. As of now, there is no delay in the mandatory compliance date for M1 category cars, which means these vehicles must be registered by July 7, 2024. Should there be any deferment in this deadline, the registration process will need to align with the new timeline.
Additionally, OEMs face the complex challenge of integrating a variety of advanced technologies into their vehicles. This integration must be executed with precision to uphold the standards of vehicle performance and safety. As these cutting-edge systems are incorporated, a consequent rise in production costs is anticipated. To stay competitive and efficient, OEMs must meticulously balance these heightened expenses with the substantial safety benefits these technologies provide.
As the automotive sector faces the transformative challenges brought by the GSR II, RoboSafety stands ready to empower OEMs and Tier Suppliers with modern safety engineering tools and techniques to help ensure compliance while enhancing overall vehicle safety.
[Connect]with us too know robosafety’s safety analysis software tools and solutions can help.
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-cont