Overview of Regulation (EU) 2022/1426
Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 establishes the first uniform technical framework worldwide for the type-approval of fully automated (Level 4) vehicles. It applies to vehicles equipped with Automated Driving Systems (ADS) capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task (DDT) on a sustained basis within a predefined operational design domain (ODD). The regulation was adopted on 5 August 2022 and entered into force, with relevance extending to the European Economic Area (EEA).
This regulation implements specific provisions of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, which outlines general safety requirements for motor vehicles, their components, and systems. It focuses on the type-approval of ADS in fully automated vehicles, excluding driver availability monitoring systems and automated vehicles covered under UN Regulation 157 for automated lane-keeping systems. The framework does not mandate predefined areas, routes, or parking facilities for vehicle operation, leaving such regulations to Member States under existing EU legislation.
The regulation applies to fully automated vehicles of categories M (passenger vehicles) and N (goods vehicles), including dual-mode vehicles that can switch between automated and manual driving modes. It covers three primary use cases: fully automated vehicles operating within predefined areas, hub-to-hub transportation along fixed routes, and automated valet parking within designated parking facilities. These use cases may rely on external infrastructure such as localization markers or perception sensors.
Key Requirements for Type-Approval
The type-approval process for ADS in fully automated vehicles requires manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with performance requirements and safety standards through a combination of testing, documentation, and ongoing monitoring. The regulation mandates the use of a safety management system to ensure the ADS remains free of unreasonable safety risks throughout its operational lifetime. This system must address traffic scenarios relevant to the ADS’s operational design domain, including potential hazards and risks identified during validation.
Manufacturers are required to provide detailed documentation, including an information document based on the template outlined in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683. This document must extract and present only the entries relevant to the ADS type-approval, ensuring consistency with whole-vehicle type-approval procedures. The validation process must include both real-world testing and virtual toolchain assessments, with criteria established for evaluating the safety concept and validation results.
Traffic scenarios play a central role in the assessment of ADS. The regulation defines parameters for these scenarios, which must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect evolving use cases. Manufacturers are also required to report in-use data to type-approval authorities, enabling continuous monitoring of system performance and safety. The EU type-approval certificate for ADS will follow the templates specified in Annex III of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683, with relevant entries extracted for ADS-specific approval.
Scope and Exclusions
Driver availability monitoring systems, which are relevant for conditional automation (e.g., Level 3), are not applicable to fully automated vehicles under this framework. Additionally, the regulation does not cover automated vehicles that fall under UN Regulation 157, which pertains to automated lane-keeping systems. The harmonized data exchange format for multi-brand vehicle platooning is also excluded, pending further standardization efforts.
While the regulation provides a comprehensive framework for ADS type-approval, it does not preempt Member States from imposing additional requirements related to vehicle circulation, operational safety in traffic, or local transport services. Member States retain the authority to regulate these aspects independently, ensuring flexibility in adapting to national or regional needs. The regulation’s focus remains on establishing a baseline of technical and safety standards for ADS approval, with future developments expected to address whole-vehicle type-approval for fully automated vehicles produced in unlimited series by July 2024.
Definitions and Technical Specifications
The regulation introduces specific definitions to clarify its scope and application. An Automated Driving System (ADS) is defined as the hardware and software collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task within a predefined ODD.
The technical specifications for ADS type-approval include requirements for performance testing, safety validation, and documentation. Manufacturers must demonstrate that their systems meet the defined safety standards through rigorous testing protocols, including virtual simulations and real-world evaluations. The regulation emphasizes the importance of a structured safety management system to mitigate risks and ensure continuous compliance with safety requirements throughout the ADS’s operational lifecycle.
Required actions
- Fully automated vehicles must pass performance requirements covering dynamic driving, minimal-risk manoeuvres, human-machine interaction, cybersecurity and in-service monitoring - Manufacturers must report occurrences and maintain a safety management system