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Discover the comprehensive scope and technical requirements of ECE R145, focusing on ISOFIX anchorage systems and i-Size seating positions. Learn about advanced safety systems, type-approval processes, and implementation timelines ensuring road safety compliance across the EU.
This Regulation applies to:
(a) Vehicles of category M1 with regard to their ISOFIX anchorage systems and their ISOFIX top tether anchorages intended for child restraint systems. Other categories of vehicles fitted with ISOFIX anchorages also have to comply with the provisions of this Regulation;
(b) Vehicles of any category with regard to their i-Size seating positions, if any are defined by the vehicle manufacturer.
Regulation Detail
The technical specifications define the design, testing, and performance criteria for safety-critical vehicle systems, with a focus on ensuring the reliability and safety of child restraint systems.
ISOFIX Anchorage Systems and i-Size Seating:
- Design Requirements:
- Rigid anchorage bars with a standardized diameter of 6 mm and a minimum effective length of 25 mm, designed to securely attach child restraint systems (CRS).
- Provision for anti-rotation devices, which may include:
- Top Tether: A strap designed to limit rotation during frontal impacts by anchoring the top of the CRS.
- Support Legs: Devices extending to the vehicle floor to enhance stability.
- Compliance with dynamic testing criteria to evaluate anchorage durability and CRS stability.
- i-Size Requirements:
- Full adherence to ISOFIX standards, including alignment with geometric and dimensional benchmarks.
- Additional requirements include:
- Static force applications to assess anchorage resistance.
- Floor strength assessments to verify the vehicle floor’s capability to withstand forces exerted by support legs.
- Compatibility with multiple CRS size envelopes (e.g., ISO/F2X and ISO/R2).
- Mandatory Markings:
- Clear, durable markings to identify ISOFIX positions. These must:
- Be visibly placed adjacent to the anchorages.
- Follow the pictographic and labeling requirements specified in Annex 4 of the regulation.
- Include symbols with a minimum diameter of 13 mm and contrasting backgrounds for enhanced visibility.
- Clear, durable markings to identify ISOFIX positions. These must:
- Additional Design Features:
- Anchorages must remain functional and accessible even under seat deformation conditions.
- Deployment of guidance systems or alignment aids to facilitate correct CRS installation.
- Regulation No. 145: Entered into force on 19 July 2018, with provisions for i-Size seating applicable to all new M1 category vehicles.
- Regulation (EU) 2018/858: Effective from 1 September 2020, covering type-approval frameworks for vehicles, systems, and components.
- Regulation (EU) 2019/2144: Fully applicable as of 6 July 2022, with phased implementation for specific advanced systems.
- Market Surveillance and Compliance Checks:
- Manufacturers are required to submit vehicles equipped with ISOFIX anchorage systems and i-Size seating positions for type-approval testing to ensure compliance with ECE R145.
- Inspections include physical verification of the anchorage systems, ensuring they meet the specified dimensions and strength requirements.
- Authorities must ensure testing encompasses:
- Static force applications to assess structural integrity.
- Dynamic crash simulations to evaluate real-world safety performance.
- ISOFIX Anchorage System Requirements:
- Each anchorage must consist of rigid bars with:
- A diameter of 6 mm.
- A minimum effective length of 25 mm to accommodate child restraint systems (CRS).
- Top tether anchorages or support legs are mandatory anti-rotation devices to limit movement during collisions.
- Each anchorage must consist of rigid bars with:
- i-Size Specific Standards:
- i-Size seating positions are required to accommodate child restraint systems compatible with multiple CRS size envelopes (e.g., ISO/F2X and ISO/R2).
- Floor strength tests are essential to ensure vehicle floor stability against support leg forces during impacts.
- Markings adjacent to i-Size anchorages must be clear and durable, including:
- A pictogram with a minimum size of 13 mm.
- High-contrast backgrounds for visibility.
- Testing and Verification Procedures:
- ISOFIX and i-Size anchorages must withstand a forward force of 8 kN and an oblique force of 5 kN.
- Excursion limits for the anchorage system are capped at 125 mm during these tests.
- Support legs are tested under variable angles and heights to ensure compatibility with real-world installations.
- Marking and Identification:
- All ISOFIX and i-Size positions must be visibly marked with:
- The ISOFIX logo or equivalent labeling as specified in Annex 4 of ECE R145.
- Permanent and indelible markings, resistant to wear and environmental conditions.
- All ISOFIX and i-Size positions must be visibly marked with:
- Mandatory Implementation for M1 Vehicles:
- All new M1 category vehicles produced after 19 July 2018 must be equipped with compliant ISOFIX and i-Size seating positions.
- Exceptions:
- Vehicles such as ambulances and hearses are exempt from these requirements, provided alternative child safety measures are in place.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
- Manufacturers failing to meet these specifications face:
- Revocation of type-approval certifications.
- Prohibition of vehicle sales or registrations until compliance is achieved.
1. What is ECE R145, and why is it important?
ECE R145 is a regulation focusing on ISOFIX anchorage systems and i-Size seating positions in vehicles, ensuring standardized child safety mechanisms. It mandates specific requirements for secure installation and structural integrity of child restraint systems (CRS).
2. Which vehicles must comply with ECE R145?
All new M1 category vehicles manufactured after 19 July 2018 must comply. Vehicles from other categories equipped with ISOFIX anchorage systems or i-Size seating positions are also subject to its provisions.
3. What are the testing requirements under ECE R145?
Vehicles undergo:
Static and dynamic force tests to verify the strength and stability of anchorages.
Specific assessments for anti-rotation devices like top tethers and support legs.
4. What markings are required for ISOFIX and i-Size positions?
ISOFIX positions must include visible and indelible markings, such as:
A pictogram as defined in Annex 4 of ECE R145.
Permanent labels resistant to wear.
5. Are there exceptions to ECE R145 requirements?
Yes, exceptions include special-purpose vehicles such as ambulances and hearses, provided alternative child safety measures are implemented.
6. What happens if a manufacturer fails to comply with ECE R145?
Non-compliance can lead to:
Revocation of type-approval certifications.
Suspension of vehicle sales and registrations.
7. Can vehicles without ISOFIX still be approved?
Yes, but only if they fall under the defined exceptions or if the vehicle was manufactured before the mandatory compliance date.
8. Is compliance with ECE R145 mandatory for older vehicles?
No, ECE R145 applies only to vehicles manufactured after the regulation’s implementation date, unless retrofitting is required by other local regulations.
