UNECEECERichtlinien

UNECE ECER Richtlinien, in English often referred to as UN/ECE regulations, are a set of harmonized technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles and equipment developed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) within the framework of the 1958 Agreement on the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles. They establish the technical requirements that vehicles and their components must meet to obtain type approval in signatory countries. By aligning national rules, the ECER Richtlinien aim to facilitate international trade and improve road safety.

The scope is broad, covering safety-related systems such as braking, steering, airbags and seat belts; lighting and signaling; occupant protection; emissions and noise; vehicle structure and crashworthiness; tires; and environmental performance. Each regulation is identified by a UN Regulation number (for example UN Regulation No. 10, No. 16, No. 48).

In operation, member states party to the 1958 Agreement commit to recognizing UN/ECE type approvals. Manufacturers may obtain a single UN/ECE type approval, which is valid in all recognizing countries; national authorities may implement the ECERs into their legislation, sometimes with adaptations. The framework is managed by the UN Economic Commission for Europe’s Working Party on Wheeled Vehicles (WP.29) and its subgroups, which oversee amendments and updates.

EU law frequently relies on UN/ECE regulations as a basis for market access, translating them into EU regulations or directives. Outside Europe, numerous non-European countries adopt ECERs directly or by alignment with regional regimes, contributing to a global standard for vehicle safety and environmental performance.

The official texts, amendments, and status of each UN Regulation are published by UNECE and are publicly accessible.