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Directive 96/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 on the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact and amending Directive 70/156/EEC

Modified by

Commission Directive 1999/98/ECof 15 December 1999adapting to technical progress Directive 96/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact(Text with EEA relevance), 31999L0098, January 13, 2000
Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Councilof 13 July 2009concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor(Text with EEA relevance), 32009R0661, July 31, 2009

Corrected by

Corrigendum to Directive 96/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 on the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact and amending Directive 70/156/EEC, 31996L0079R(01), March 25, 1997

Directive 96/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Councilof 16 December 1996on the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact and amending Directive 70/156/EEC THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof,Having regard to Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailersOJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 95/54/EC (OJ No L 266, 8. 11. 1995, p. 1)., and in particular Article 13 (4) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the CommissionOJ No C 396, 31. 12. 1994, p. 34.,Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social CommitteeOJ No C 256, 2. 10. 1995, p. 21.,Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of the TreatyOpinion of the European Parliament of 12 July 1995 (OJ No C 249, 25. 9. 1995, p. 50), Council common position of 28 May 1996 (OJ No C 219, 27. 7. 1996, p. 22) and Decision of the European Parliament of 19 September 1996 (OJ No C 320, 28. 10. 1996, p. 149). Council Decision of 25 October 1996.,Whereas the total harmonization of technical requirements for motor vehicles is necessary in order fully to achieve the internal market;Whereas, in order to reduce the number of road accident casualties in Europe, it is necessary to introduce legislative measures for improving the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact as much as possible; whereas this Directive introduces frontal impact test requirements, including biomechanical criteria, to ensure that a high level of protection in the event of a frontal impact is provided;Whereas the aim of this Directive is to introduce requirements based on the results of research conducted by the European Experimental Vehicles Committee allowing the establishment of test criteria which are more representative of actual road accidents;Whereas lead times are required by vehicle manufacturers for the implementation of acceptable test criteria;Whereas, to avoid duplication of standards, it is necessary to exempt vehicles which comply with the requirements of this Directive from the need to comply with now superseded requirements in another Directive in respect of the behaviour of the steering wheel and column in an impact;Whereas this Directive will be one of the separate directives which must be complied with in order to ensure the conformity of vehicles with the requirements of the EC type-approval procedure established by Directive 70/156/EEC; whereas, therefore, the provisions of Directive 70/156/EEC relating to vehicle systems, components and separate technical units apply to this Directive;Whereas the procedure for determining the seating reference point in motor vehicles is given in Annex III to Council Directive 77/649/EEC of 27 September 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the field of vision of motor vehicle driversOJ No L 267, 19. 10. 1977, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 90/630/EEC (OJ No L 341, 6. 12. 1990, p. 20).; whereas it is therefore unnecessary to repeat it in this Directive; whereas reference should be made in this Directive to Council Directive 74/297/EEC of 4 June 1974 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles (the behaviour of the steering mechanism in the event of an impact)OJ No L 165, 20. 6. 1974, p. 16. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 91/662/EEC (OJ No L 366, 31. 12. 1991, p. 1).; whereas reference is made to the United States of America Code of Federal RegulationsUnited States of America Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Chapter V, Part 572.,HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1For the purposes of this Directive, "vehicle" shall have the meaning given to it in Article 2 of Directive 70/156/EEC.

Article 21.No Member State may, on grounds concerning the protection of occupants of vehicles in the event of a frontal impact:refuse, in respect of a vehicle type, to grant EC type-approval or national type-approval, orprohibit the registration, sale or entry into service of a vehicle,if it complies with the requirements of this Directive.2.With effect from 1 October 1998, Member States:may no longer grant EC type-approval for a vehicle type in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 70/156/EEC,may refuse national type-approval for a vehicle type,unless the vehicle satisfies the requirements of this Directive.3.Paragraph 2 shall not apply to vehicle types approved before 1 October 1998 pursuant to Directive 74/297/EEC, or to subsequent extensions to that type-approval.4.Vehicles type-approved in accordance with this Directive shall be regarded as satisfying the requirements of paragraph 5.1 of Annex I to Directive 74/297/EEC.5.With effect from 1 October 2003, Member States:shall consider certificates of conformity which accompany new vehicles in accordance with Directive 70/156/EEC to be no longer valid for the purposes of Article 7 (1) of that Directive, andmay refuse the registration, sale or entry into service of new vehicles which are not accompanied by a certificate of conformity in accordance with Directive 70/156/EEC,if the requirements of this Directive, including paragraphs 3.2.1.2 and 3.2.1.3 of Annex II, are not fulfilled.

Article 3In Part I of Annex IV to Directive 70/156/EEC, the table shall be supplemented as follows:

	Subject	Directive No	OJ reference	Applicability
	Subject	Directive No	OJ reference	M1	M2	M3	N1	N2	N3	O1	O2	O3	O4
53	Frontal impact resistance	96/…/EC	L …	X

Article 4In the framework of the adaptation of this Directive to technical progress, the Commission shall:(a)review the Directive, within two years from the date mentioned in Article 5 (1), with a view to increasing the test speed and including vehicles of category N1. The review will cover inter alia accident research data, full-scale car-to-car test results, cost-benefit considerations and, in particular, the existing performance requirements (both biomechanical and geometric) and the addition of new requirements relating to footwell intrusion. The review will examine the potential gains in occupant protection and the industrial feasibility of increasing the test speed and extending the scope of the Directive to include vehicles of category N1. The results of this review will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council in a report drawn up by the Commission;(b)before the end of 1996 review, and, if appropriate, amend Appendix 7 to Annex II so as to take into account assessment tests on the Hybrid III dummy's ankle including vehicle tests;(c)before the end of 1997, review and, if appropriate, amend the limit values for neck injury (as specified in paragraphs 3.2.1.2 and 3.2.1.3 of Annex II) on the basis of the values recorded during type-approval tests and on accident study and biomechanical research data;(d)also make, before the end of 1997, the necessary amendments to the separate Directives so as to ensure the compatibility of the type-approval and extension procedures provided by the directives with those in this Directive.

Article 51.Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive no later than 1 April 1997. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.When Member States adopt these provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.2.Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.3.Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that the results of the type-approval tests carried out by their approval authorities are made available to the public.

Article 6This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Article 7This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

nullLIST OF ANNEXES

Annex I	Administrative provisions for the type-approval of a vehicle type
	1. Application for EC type-approval
	2. EC type-approval
	3. Modifications of the type and amendments to type-approvals
	4. Conformity of production
	Appendix 1: Information document
	Appendix 2: EC type-approval certificate
Annex II	Technical requirements
	1. Scope
	2. Definitions
	3. Requirements
	Appendix 1: Test procedure
	Appendix 2: Determination of performance criteria
	Appendix 3: Arrangement and installation of dummies and adjustment of restraint systems
	Appendix 4: Test procedure with trolley
	Appendix 5: Technique of measurement in measurement tests: instrumentation
	Appendix 6: Definition of the deformable barrier
	Appendix 7: Certification procedure for the dummy lower leg and foot

ANNEX IADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS FOR THE TYPE-APPROVAL OF A VEHICLE TYPE1.APPLICATION FOR EC TYPE-APPROVAL1.1.Applications for EC type-approval pursuant to Article 3 (4) of Directive 70/156/EEC of a vehicle type with regard to the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact must be submitted by the manufacturer.1.2.A model for the information document is given in Appendix 1.1.3.A vehicle representative of the vehicle type to be approved must be submitted to the technical service responsible for conducting the type-approval tests.1.4.The manufacturer is entitled to submit any data and test results which make it possible to establish with a sufficient degree of confidence that compliance with the requirements can be achieved.2.EC TYPE-APPROVAL2.1.Where the vehicle type satisfies the relevant requirements, EC type-approval pursuant to Article 4 (3) and, if applicable, Article 4 (4) of Directive 70/156/EEC will be granted.2.2.A model for the type-approval certificate is given in Appendix 2.2.3.A type-approval number in accordance with Annex VII to Directive 70/156/EEC is assigned to each vehicle type approved. The same Member State must not assign the same number to another type of vehicle.2.4.In case of doubt, in order to verify that the vehicle conforms to the requirements of this Directive, account must be taken of any data or test results provided by the manufacturer which may be taken into consideration in establishing the validity of the type-approval test performed by the type-approval authority.3.MODIFICATION OF THE TYPE AND AMENDMENTS TO TYPE-APPROVALS3.1.In the case of modification of a vehicle type approved pursuant to this Directive, the provisions of Article 5 of Directive 70/156/EEC are applicable.3.2.Any modification of the vehicle affecting the general form of the structure of the vehicle and/or any increase in mass greater than 8 % which, in the judgment of the technical service, would have a marked influence on the results of the tests necessitates a repetition of the test as described in Appendix 1 to Annex II.3.3.If the modifications concern only the interior fittings, if the mass does not differ by more than 8 % and if the number of front seats initially provided in the vehicle remains the same, the following will need to be carried out:3.3.1.a simplified test as provided for in Appendix 4 to Annex II, and/or3.3.2.a partial test as determined by the technical service in the light of the modifications made.4.CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION4.1.As a general rule, measures to ensure the conformity of production must be taken in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 10 of Directive 70/156/EEC.ANNEX IITECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS1.SCOPE1.1.This Directive applies to power-driven vehicles of category M1 of a total permissible mass not exceeding 2,5 tonnes, with the exception of multi-stage built vehicles produced in quantities not exceeding those fixed for a small series; heavier vehicles and multi-stage built vehicles may be approved at the request of the manufacturer.2.DEFINITIONSFor the purposes of this Directive:2.1."protective system" means interior fittings and devices intended to restrain the occupants and contribute towards ensuring compliance with the requirements set out in paragraph 3 below;2.2."type of protective system" means a category of protective devices which do not differ in such essential respects as:their technology,their geometry,their constituent materials;2.3."vehicle width" means the distance between two planes parallel to the longitudinal median plane and touching the vehicle on either side of the said plane but excluding the rear-view mirrors, side marker lamps, tyre pressure indicators, direction indicator lamps, position lamps, flexible mud-guards and the deflected part of the tyre side-walls immediately above the point of contact with the ground;2.4."overlap" means the percentage of the vehicle width directly in line with the barrier face;2.5."deformable barrier face" means a crushable section mounted on the front of a rigid block;2.6."vehicle type" means a category of power-driven vehicles which do not differ in such essential respects as:2.6.1.the length and width of the vehicle, insofar as they have a negative effect on the results of the impact test prescribed in this Directive;2.6.2.the structure, dimensions, lines and materials of the part of the vehicle forward of the transverse plane through the "R" point of the driver's seat insofar as they have a negative effect on the results of the impact test prescribed in this Directive;2.6.3.the lines and inside dimensions of the passenger compartment and the type of protective system, insofar as they have a negative effect on the results of the impact test prescribed in this Directive;2.6.4.the location (front, rear or centre) and the orientation (transversal or longitudinal) of the engine;2.6.5.the unladen mass, insofar as it has a negative effect on the results of the impact test prescribed in this Directive;2.6.6.the optional arrangements or fittings provided by the manufacturer, insofar as they have a negative effect on the results of the impact test prescribed in this Directive;2.7."passenger compartment" means the space for occupant accommodation, bounded by the roof, floor, side walls, doors, outside glazing and front bulkhead and the plane of the rear compartment bulkhead or the plane of the rear-seat back support;2.8."R" point means a reference point defined for each seat by the manufacturer in relation to the vehicle's structure;2.9."H" point means a reference point determined for each seat by the technical service responsible for approval;2.10."unladen kerb mass" means the mass of the vehicle in running order, unoccupied and unladen but complete with fuel, coolant, lubricant, tools and a spare wheel (if these are provided as standard equipment by the vehicle manufacturer);2.11."airbag" means a device installed to supplement safety belts and restraint systems in motor vehicles, i.e. systems which, in the event of a severe impact affecting the vehicle, automatically deploy a flexible structure intended to limit, by compression of the gas contained within it, the gravity of the contacts of one or more parts of the body of an occupant of the vehicle with the interior of the passenger compartment.3.REQUIREMENTS3.1.General specification applicable to all tests3.1.1.The "H" point for each seat is determined in accordance with the procedure described in Annex II to Directive 77/649/EEC.3.2.Specifications3.2.1.The performance criteria recorded, in accordance with Appendix 5, on the dummies in the front outboard seats must meet the following conditions:3.2.1.1.the head performance criterion (HPC) must not exceed 1000 and the resultant head acceleration shall not exceed 80 g for more than 3 ms. The latter must be calculated cumulatively, excluding rebound movement of the head;3.2.1.2.the neck injury criteria (NIC) must not exceed the values shown in Figures 1 and 2Until the date mentioned in Article 2 (2), the values obtained for the neck shall not be pass/fail criteria for the purposes of granting type-approval. The results obtained shall be recorded in the test report and be collected by the approval authority. After this date, the value(s) specified in this paragraph shall apply as pass/fail criteria unless or until alternative values are adopted in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 (c).;3.2.1.3.the neck bending moment about the y axis must not exceed 57 Nm in extensionUntil the date mentioned in Article 2 (2), the values obtained for the neck shall not be pass/fail criteria for the purposes of granting type-approval. The results obtained shall be recorded in the test report and be collected by the approval authority. After this date, the value(s) specified in this paragraph shall apply as pass/fail criteria unless or until alternative values are adopted in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 (c).;3.2.1.4.the thorax compression criterion (ThCC) must not exceed 50 mm;3.2.1.5.the viscous criterion (V*C) for the thorax must not exceed 1,0 m/s;3.2.1.6.the femur force criterion (FFC) must not exceed the force-time performance criterion shown in Figure 3 of this Annex;3.2.1.7.the tibia compression force criterion (TCFC) must not exceed 8 kN;3.2.1.8.the tibia index (TI), measured at the top and bottom of each tibia, must not exceed 1,3 at either location;3.2.1.9.the movement of the sliding knee joints must not exceed 15 mm.3.2.2.Residual steering wheel displacement, measured at the centre of the steering wheel hub, must not exceed 80 mm in the upwards vertical direction and 100 mm in the rearward horizontal direction.3.2.3.During the test no door may open.3.2.4.During the test no locking of the locking systems of the front doors may occur.3.2.5.After the impact, it must be possible, without the use of tools, except for those necessary to support the weight of the dummy:3.2.5.1.to open at least one door, if there is one, per row of seats and, where there is no such door, to move the seats or tilt their backrests as necessary to allow the evacuation of all the occupants; this is, however, only applicable to vehicles having a roof of rigid construction;3.2.5.2.to release the dummies from their restraint system which, if locked, must be capable of being released by a maximum force of 60 N on the centre of the release control;3.2.5.3.to remove the dummies from the vehicle without adjustment of the seats.3.2.6.In the case of a vehicle propelled by liquid fuel, no more than slight leakage of liquid from the entire fuel system may occur during or after the impact. If after the impact there is continuous leakage of liquid from any part of the fuel system, the rate of of leakage must not exceed 5 × 10-4 kg/s; if the liquid from the fuel-feed system mixes with liquids from the other systems and the various liquids cannot easily be separated and identified, all the liquids collected are taken into account in evaluating the continuous leakage.