Globally Harmonized Regulations for Automated Driving Systems: New Opportunities and Challenges for Manufacturers

New UN Regulation and Global Technical Regulation for Automated Driving Systems adopted / Manufacturers are expected to be able to choose between type approval under EU or UN regulation / TÜV Rheinland supports manufacturers in selecting the most efficient type approval path / Webinar - Mastering UN ADS Regulation and Homologation

When manufacturers want to bring self-driving vehicles to market, they must meet different requirements from country to country. To harmonize these requirements globally, the World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) recently adopted the first globally applicable regulations for automated driving systems (ADS). The new UN regulation establishes international safety requirements for vehicles capable of fully autonomous driving within a defined area (SAE Level 4).

At the same time, EU Regulation 2022/1426 has been in effect in Europe for four years. It governs the European type-approval procedure for automated driving systems. Manufacturers wishing to sell SAE Level 4 driving systems within the European Union will likely be able to choose whether to pursue type approval via the EU regulation or the new UN regulation.

Manufacturers Must Be Aware of the Differences

This decision is not always easy. Experts at TÜV Rheinland recommend incorporating both sets of regulations into development and approval processes at an early stage and addressing the differences.

“Compliance with the UN regulation for automated driving systems provides a solid foundation for meeting the requirements of both sets of standards,” says Felix Clos, Head of the Competence Center for Active Vehicle Safety at TÜV Rheinland.

Both the level of detail and the underlying logic of the two regulations differ. The UN Regulation describes a comprehensive safety case and is formulated in a technology-neutral manner. In contrast, the EU Regulation is more application-oriented and specifies concrete minimum requirements, scenarios, and test parameters. For example, the requirements for the Operational Design Domain (ODD), data collection, and procedures for periodic verification differ.

Involve Technical Services Early On

Involving technical services early on can help streamline type approval procedures. To support manufacturers in this process, TÜV Rheinland is hosting a webinar on July 7, 2026. ADS experts Felix Clos and Balint Toth will explain the differences between the UN regulation and the EU regulation and demonstrate how type approval procedures can be planned efficiently.