seat & seat belt type approval: what is required
by ece regulations r14, r16, r17, and r80

Passive vehicle safety is a fundamental priority in automotive design, and the type approval of restraint systems, such as seat belts, is governed by well-defined international regulations. Among the most important are ECE Regulations R14, R17, and R80, which are part of the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Agreement, adopted by many countries, including the EU Member States.

ece r14: seat belt anchorages

ECE Regulation R14 governs the anchorage points of seat belts within vehicles. The main requirements include:

  • Positioning and number of anchorages for each seat

  • Mechanical strength of the anchorages under high tensile loads

  • Static and dynamic tests to ensure effectiveness in the event of a collision

  • Specific provisions for vehicles of categories M1, N1 and higher, including seat configurations

R14 is crucial because it ensures that seat belts are properly installed and securely attached to the vehicle structure, avoiding the risk of failure in the event of an impact.

ece r16: sAFETY BELTS

ECE Regulation R16 governs the installation and performance requirements of seat belt systems in motor vehicles. The main requirements include:

  • Specifications for seat belt types, including 2-point and 3-point systems

  • Functional performance of restraint systems during frontal, rear and side impacts

  • Requirements for safety belt reminder systems (SBR) in certain vehicle categories

  • Dynamic crash testing with dummies to verify the protective capability of seat belts

  • Provisions related to compatibility with child restraint systems (CRS)

R16 is essential because it ensures that seat belts not only remain anchored but also function correctly to restrain occupants, significantly reducing the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.

ece r17: seats, seat anchorages, and restraint systems

ECE Regulation R17 concerns vehicle seats, their anchorage systems, and restraint devices. It is essential to ensure that the entire seat structure can withstand stress during an accident, especially when connected to seat belts.

It includes:

  • Resistance tests for front and rear impacts

  • Requirements for passenger protection from hard surfaces or sharp edges

  • Specifications for reclining or adjustable seats

  • Compatibility with the anchorage systems specified in R14

This regulation ensures that not only the seat belts, but also the seats and their fixings are designed to withstand crash conditions, minimizing injuries to occupants.

ece r80: seats for m2 and m3 category vehicles

ECE Regulation R80 applies specifically to seats in M2 and M3 category vehicles, i.e., buses and coaches. It sets out:

  • Type approval criteria for seats and anchorage systems intended for public transportation

  • Tests to assess seat resistance and the effectiveness of restraint systems

  • Structural integrity checks and the seat’s ability to limit passenger movement in the event of a crash

In this context, R80 is essential to ensure a high safety standard even in public transport vehicles, where the number of passengers and the nature of use increase the risks in case of an accident.

why are these regulations important?

ECE Regulations R14, R17, and R80 work in synergy to ensure integrated safety between seat belts, seats, and their fixings. Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with each of these regulations as part of the vehicle type approval process.

Type approvals are often issued by authorized Technical Services, such as ATS Group, which carry out technical verifications, laboratory tests, and inspections at production sites.

why choose ats group?

ATS Group is a group of companies operating in the field
of Inspections, Certifications and Type Approvals in the Automotive sector.

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type approval of whole vehicles

ATS Group, through its companies designated by e24 and e5 marks, is able to issue the type approval of complete vehicles.

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type approval of vechicles parts

With the type approval Approval Authority designations (E57), (E5) and (E24) ATS Group is able to carry out approvals of components, systems and technical units of vehicles in general.

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certifications

ATS Europe, as a Certification Body accredited under ISO 17021-1: 2015 as a Certification Body for Quality Management Systems under ISO 9001: 2015, has become a leading company in the field of certifications.

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testing laboratories

The test laboratories affiliated with ATS Group are ISO 17025 accredited, ensuring reliability, accuracy, and compliance with international standards.

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ats app

Our proprietary online platform can manage the whole approval process, fron the quotation till the direct download on the final Type Approval Certificate.

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competitives prices based on market analysis

ATS Group offers competitive prices and fast turnaround times, ensuring an efficient and high-quality service to meet customer needs promptly.

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