Particle.news
Download on the App Store

EU Sets July 2026 Start for Broader Car Safety Tech Mandates

The measure targets vulnerable road users with stricter onboard safety tech.

Overview

  • From 7 July 2026, newly registered passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in classes M1 and N1 must comply with the next phase of EU Regulation 2019/2144.
  • Automatic emergency braking must detect pedestrians and cyclists and apply braking autonomously to prevent or mitigate collisions.
  • Vehicles must add advanced driver distraction warning, expanded head‑impact protection at the front, an alcolock interface, intelligent speed assistance, and an event data recorder.
  • Emergency lane‑keeping becomes mandatory for vehicles with hydraulic power steering, extending requirements that have applied since 2024 to models with electric assistance.
  • Next‑Generation eCall is already required for newly developed vehicle types as of 1 January 2026 and will be mandatory for all new registrations from 1 January 2027.