IGPG-08-04
13-10-30
Proposal for an ECE-R43 amendment concerning the definition and installation
provisions for forward-facing safety glazing
Insert a new Paragraph 2.14., to read:
2.14. “Exterior forward-facing glazing other than a windscreen” means any glazing other than
a windscreen installed in the front of the vehicle body, representing a part of the vehicle
exterior.
Comment: This definition is regardless of whether passengers are allowed behind that
glazing or not (e.g. in case of trailers) or the glazing is separated from the vehicle interior
(e.g. in case of destination indicators covered by an exterior glazing pane in the upper front
of buses).
Insert a new Paragraph 2.15., to read:
2.15. “Interior forward-facing glazing installed in front of passengers” means any glazing
installed in the front of a vehicle passenger compartment but not part of the vehicle exterior
(e.g. interior partitions or separating windows behind which passenger seats or standings are
located).
Comment: This definition excludes compartments which are exclusively intended for the
carriage of goods (no passengers).
Paragraphs 2.14. to 2.36. (former), renumber as paragraphs 2.16. to 2.38.
Annex 21, Paragraph 4.3.1., amend to read:
Any forward-facing safety glazing as defined in paragraphs 2.14. and 2.15. of this Regulation
shall be constituted either by laminated glass or by toughened glass, or a plastic pane
bearing the additional symbol /A, as defined in paragraphs 5.5.5. and 5.5.7. of this
Regulation.
In case of an exterior forward-facing glazing other than a windscreen following additional
provisions apply:
If the glazing is installed in front of passengers, the use of toughened glass is limited to
vehicles having a maximum design speed not greater than 40 km/h.
If no passengers are allowed behind the glazing (e.g. in case of trailers), a plastic pane
marked /B or /C may also be used, and toughened glass may be installed also on vehicles
having a maximum design speed greater than 40 km/h.
Comment 1: In case of an interior forward-facing glazing installed in front of passengers,
symbol /A is required generally.
Dr. Matthias Dümmler, MPA NRW
19.07.2013
IGPG-08-04
13-10-30
Comment 2: According to Annex 21, Par. 4.1.4 of the Regulation, toughened windscreens
are allowed for vehicles having a maximum design speed not greater than 40 km/h.
It is consequent to allow toughened glass also for forward-facing panes other than
windscreens, but if passengers are allowed behind an exterior forward-facing pane (e.g. front
panes in the upper deck of double-deck buses) the same restriction as for windscreens
concerning the vehicle maximum design speed must be made.
If no passengers are allowed behind an exterior forward-facing pane (a), or in case of an
interior forward-facing glazing installed in front of passengers (b), it is consequent to omit the
maximum speed limitation for following reasons:
(a) There are no passengers at all which could fall out of the vehicle through the toughened
glass pane, or which could be hit by an object penetrating the toughened glass pane when
impacting from the vehicle outside.
(b) Although a passenger impact at the toughened glass pane is possible, the passenger
would not fall out of the vehicle after breakage of such an interior pane, and an impacting
object from the outside could not hit this interior pane directly.
Dr. Matthias Dümmler, MPA NRW
19.07.2013