KEY NEWS 1/4 — EU
EU Updates Vehicle Safety Rules: GSR II Enters a New Era
The European Commission has taken a major step forward in with the publication of Regulation (EU) 2025/1122 in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulation amends and updates Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, also known as the General Safety Regulation (GSR II), setting stricter and more comprehensive safety standards for vehicles across the EU.
The update introduces significant changes to Annexes I and II, incorporating the latest UN Regulations for European type approval. Several new UN Regulations will also apply for the first time, expanding the scope of vehicle safety oversight.
Key areas impacted include steering systems, electric safety, tyres, fire risk prevention, heavy-duty vehicle visibility, and Event Data Recorders (EDR). These changes aim to reduce accidents, improve occupant protection, and enhance vehicle monitoring technologies.
The updated regulation will enter into force on 1 September 2025, applying according to transitional provisions outlined in the text. It affects vehicles in categories M, N, and O, covering passenger cars, light and heavy commercial vehicles, and buses.
Notable UN Regulation updates under GSR II:
| UN R. | Title | Version | Affected Categories |
| 025 | Head restraints | Suppl.1 to 04 series | M, N, T |
| 034 | Fire risk prevention | 04 series | M, N, O |
| 079 | Steering equipment | 04 series | M, N, O |
| 100 | Electrically powered vehicles | 03 series | M, N |
| 117 | Tyres: rolling resistance, noise, and wet grip | 04 series | C, M, N, O |
| 127 | Pedestrian safety | 04 series | M1, N1 |
| 152 | Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) | 02 series | M1, N1 |
| 167* | Heavy-duty vehicle direct vision | 00 series | M2, M3, N2, N3 |
| 169* | Event Data Recorders (EDR) | 00 series | M2, M3, N2, N3 |
| 171* | Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS) | 00 series | M, N |
*New regulations added to GSR II.
Why it matters
This update strengthens EU vehicle safety standards and aligns them with the latest international regulations. Manufacturers will need to ensure compliance with the new UN Regulations, particularly in areas such as electric vehicle safety, advanced braking systems, and heavy-duty vehicle visibility. The inclusion of Event Data Recorders and Driver Control Assistance Systems reflects a growing focus on digital safety and accident prevention.
KEY NEWS 2/4 — EU & US
EU and US Seal Strategic New Trade Agreement
The European Union and the United States have reached a new political trade agreement that establishes a more predictable and stable framework for cooperation in the coming years. Announced on 27 July, the deal aims to ensure continued transatlantic economic collaboration while strengthening both sides’ competitiveness in global markets.
Key elements of the agreement:
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Single 15% tariff ceiling for EU goods:
Effective 1 August 2025, most EU exports will be subject to a maximum 15% tariff, including automobiles and auto parts, as well as future tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. -
Special treatment for strategic products:
US tariffs on aircraft and aircraft parts, certain chemicals, generic medicines, and natural resources will return to pre-January 2025 levels. Both sides will work to expand this list of strategic products, ensuring a more balanced trade framework. -
Joint protection for key sectors:
Tariff quotas for EU exports of steel, aluminium, and copper will be maintained at historical levels, accompanied by bilateral cooperation to ensure fair global competition.
Conclusions
The agreement not only reduces trade barriers and increases predictability for EU and US businesses but also demonstrates a joint strategy to protect strategic sectors and enhance global competitiveness. Automotive, aerospace, and high-tech manufacturers are expected to benefit the most, while the focus on raw materials and strategic products reinforces long-term industrial stability.
KEY NEWS 3/4 — EU
UNECE Establishes New Informal Working Group on Artificial Intelligence for Vehicles
The UNECE has published the Terms of Reference for the new Informal Working Group on Artificial Intelligence (IWG on AI), created to address the growing role of AI in the automotive sector, with a special focus on autonomous driving systems and vehicle safety.
The group’s mission is to gather information on AI developments in vehicles, compile a list of use cases applicable to regulated safety systems, and develop guidance documents for the use of AI in the automotive industry. It will also conduct literature reviews on existing standards, research, best practices, and regulations related to AI.
Key Background:
- WP.29 first recognized the relevance of AI to the automotive sector in 2018, considering applications in infotainment, vehicle management, and autonomous driving capabilities.
- GRVA led discussions on AI, resulting in a draft resolution in November 2024.
- In June 2024, a guidance document titled “Considerations on Artificial Intelligence in the Context of Road Vehicles” was adopted as a living document, adaptable to evolving AI technologies.
- In March 2025, WP.29 formally established the new IWG on AI and requested the drafting of the Terms of Reference.
Main Tasks of the IWG on AI:
- Define target AI systems and develop guidance for their use in regulated safety systems.
- Produce a report with initial findings for WP.29 by June 2026, including recommendations on appropriate forms of publication.
Assess the need for further work after completing the initial tasks.
Participation of IDIADA and IRIS
IDIADA is an active member of this working group, attending sessions and acting as a body designated by the Spanish Ministry of Industry to participate in the rulemaking process, bringing technical expertise and contributing to the development of standards and recommendations for AI-equipped vehicle safety systems.
What truly sets IRIS apart is the direct involvement of IDIADA experts in the global rulemaking process, influencing how future automotive legislation is defined and interpreted. Combined with its official designation as a Homologation Body by the Spanish Ministry of Industry and its global accreditations as a Technical Service, IRIS provides first-hand regulatory insights and exclusive analysis unavailable elsewhere.
Through its internal platform, “Automotive Regulatory Lab”, IRIS also records, monitors, and tracks all regulatory proposals from Europe and UNECE, offering a complete and up-to-date view of the regulatory environment from the drafting of proposals.
KEY NEWS 4/4 — CANADA
Canada Proposes Updates to Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations
Transport Canada has published a proposal to update the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR), aiming to modernize and harmonize vehicle and equipment safety standards in the country. The notice invites all affected stakeholders to provide comments on the proposals before 23 September 2025, following the opening of the consultation period on 23 July 2025.
Key areas of the proposed amendments:
- Removal of dates from test methods.
- Updates to transitional provisions.
- Introduction of adaptive driving beam requirements.
- Technical unit conversions.
- References to UN Regulations.
These amendments are intended to modernize, simplify, and harmonize Canada’s vehicle safety regulations, removing obsolete elements and enabling more efficient updates to technical standards. The proposed changes affect vehicle categories L, M, and N, covering motorcycles, passenger cars, light and heavy commercial vehicles.