Years ago, whenever the subject of automotive standard requirements in Iran came up, we would hear the term “85 Vehicle Standards.” This title became so well known throughout the industry and even among the general public that sometimes the entire set of automotive standard requirements was simply referred to by the number 85. With the development of vehicle technology and the revision of vehicle type-approval requirements, the set of requirements has now expanded, and the term “122 Vehicle Standards” has entered industry terminology.
However, the transition from 85 to 122 should not be viewed simply as adding several rows to an old list. Some of the previous Requirements remain part of the new structure, while additional requirements have been introduced to cover newer vehicle technologies and areas, ranging from advanced driver assistance systems and vulnerable road-user protection to electric vehicle safety and cybersecurity. On the other hand, not all of these Requirements are Applicable to every vehicle, and the new requirements are not all scheduled to enter into force on the same date. For automotive industry professionals, understanding this structure is more important than simply memorizing the number 122.
What Are the 122 Vehicle Standards?
The 122 Vehicle Standards should be examined within the framework of vehicle type-approval requirements in Iran. Following the revision of Iranian National Standard No. 6924, concerning the type approval of motor vehicles, trailers, systems, components, and separate technical units, the set of automotive standard requirements has also been expanded.
This expansion does not mean that the previous Requirements have been completely abandoned. A significant portion of the requirements known from the 85-vehicle-standard set remains within the automotive standards framework, while new Requirements have also been added to cover a broader range of Vehicle Technology.
Therefore, 122 does not mean 122 completely new standards or 122 new tests. To properly understand this set of requirements, a distinction must be made between previous Requirements, newly added requirements, the Applicability of each item, and its implementation timeline.
What Is the Difference Between the 122 and 85 Vehicle Standards?
The main difference lies in the expansion of the scope of requirements, rather than simply replacing one list with another. The Requirements in the previous set have not been removed overnight; the automotive standards framework has been expanded, and additional areas have been incorporated.
If you want to know exactly what the 85 Vehicle Standards are, which areas they cover, why 85 standards do not mean 85 Tests, and whether all of them are Applicable to every vehicle, it is better to first read the article “What Are the 85 Vehicle Standards? A Guide to Mandatory Vehicle Requirements and Standards.”
The focus of this article is different: here, we want to understand what the expanded 122-standard framework means for new projects, which areas the new requirements cover, and when they will enter the implementation schedule.
Have the 85 Vehicle Standards Been Replaced?
No. The introduction of the 122 Vehicle Standards does not mean that the previous requirements have been removed and that 122 completely independent Requirements have replaced them.
The standards in the previous set remain part of the automotive requirements framework, and what has happened is the expansion of the set and addition of new Requirements. Therefore, in a new project, the previous list cannot simply be discarded and replaced by a focus solely on the newly added standards.
On the other hand, future projects should not rely solely on a historical 85-standard Checklist. The set of Requirements Applicable at the relevant project stage and time must be evaluated.
Do the 122 Vehicle Standards Mean 122 Tests?
No. The number of Requirements and the number of Tests are not the same.
Each Standard may contain one or more Requirements, and its Verification Method is not necessarily a Physical Test. Depending on the subject, compliance may be evaluated through Test, Measurement, Inspection, Documentation, or other defined methods.
On the other hand, one Regulation may include several different Test Procedures. Therefore, the term “122 standards” should not be interpreted as meaning that a vehicle must undergo 122 testing devices or exactly 122 separate Tests.
First, it must be determined which Requirements are Applicable to the Vehicle in question, and then the Verification Method for each must be identified.
When Will the New Standards Take Effect?
One of the most important characteristics of the 122-standard set is that the new requirements will enter the implementation schedule in phases. Therefore, simply seeing the name of a Standard in the 122-standard list is not sufficient to conclude that it is currently in force.
According to the announced schedule, the implementation phases for the new Requirements are as follows:
Phase One: September 23, 2027
Some of the new standards are scheduled to take effect from this date.
Phase Two: March 21, 2030
Another group of new requirements is scheduled to take effect during this phase.
Phase Three: March 20, 2032
The remaining new standards are scheduled to take effect during the third phase.
The standards belonging to the previous 85-standard set are also included among the requirements already in force. Therefore, when evaluating a Requirement, in addition to its title and Scope, its implementation status and effective date must also be identified.
Why Is the Implementation Timeline of the 122 Vehicle Standards Important for New Projects?
Suppose the development of a vehicle begins today, but its SOP or entry into the type-approval process is scheduled several years later. If the Engineering team only incorporates the Requirements currently in force into the Design Input, it may face requirements at the Approval stage that had not yet entered into force when the project started.
This can be very costly. Some new Requirements do not merely introduce an additional Test; they may affect Vehicle Architecture, Sensor Selection, ECU, Software, Body Design, or Powertrain.
Therefore, Regulatory Planning must consider the product Timeline alongside the Standards implementation Timeline. The question is not only, “Which standard is in force today?”; it should also be asked: “Which Requirements will be in force when this product enters Approval or Production?”
What New Requirements Have Been Added to the Vehicle Standards?
One of the most important features of the expanded automotive standards framework is its greater focus on Technologies that play a more significant role in next-generation Vehicles. Today's vehicle is no longer simply a collection of mechanical Components; Sensors, Electronic Control Units, Software, and Driver Assistance Functions form an important part of vehicle performance and safety.
For this reason, the new Requirements include topics that had a more limited presence in older frameworks or whose Technology had not yet developed in its current form.
Important areas include advanced driver assistance systems, pedestrian and cyclist protection, Electric Vehicle Safety, and Cybersecurity.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in the New Standards
Some of the new Requirements relate to ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems; these are systems designed to assist the driver and reduce the likelihood of certain accidents.
Topics such as advanced emergency braking, certain lane-keeping functions, blind-spot detection, and detection of obstacles while reversing have become more important in the new requirements.
In such Systems, evaluation is no longer limited to the Strength or performance of a mechanical Component. The Sensor, Software, Control Logic, and Vehicle response under defined conditions may all form part of the Performance being evaluated.
This change is highly important for Product Development because Compliance may be directly connected to Vehicle Electronics and Software Development.
Protection of Pedestrians and Cyclists
The definition of vehicle safety in modern Regulatory Frameworks is no longer limited to Occupants inside the Vehicle. Vulnerable Road Users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, have also gained greater importance in newer Requirements.
Some requirements may relate to Detection, Warning, or Emergency Braking when encountering vulnerable road users, while other Requirements may evaluate Vehicle behavior under conditions associated with a collision.
Therefore, Vehicle Safety is gradually moving from an approach focused solely on “protecting vehicle occupants” toward a broader approach concerning the Interaction between the vehicle and its surrounding environment.
Electric Vehicle Safety in the New Requirements
Electric Vehicles, in addition to many conventional vehicle Requirements, are subject to other Safety considerations. The High-voltage Electrical System and Rechargeable Energy Storage System make areas such as Electrical Protection, Electric Shock Protection, and Battery/REESS Safety particularly important.
However, not all Electric Vehicle Requirements should be explained through a single Standard. Depending on the Vehicle, Technology, and Requirement, different regulations may apply.
For EV projects, Requirements should be identified during the early stages of Development because Battery Architecture, Electrical Protection, and Vehicle Integration are not issues that can simply be added to the product at the end of the project through a single Test.
Why Has Vehicle Cybersecurity Entered the Standards?
Modern vehicles are networks of ECUs, Software, and Communication Interfaces. As Connectivity and Software Dependency increase, Cybersecurity has evolved from a purely IT-related topic into an issue directly related to Vehicle Engineering and Regulatory Compliance.
UN Regulation No. 155 or UN R155 is one of the well-known regulations in this area and relates to Cybersecurity and the Cyber Security Management System.
This type of Requirement differs significantly from traditional automotive standards. Compliance is no longer limited to testing a physical Component and may also include Process, Management System, Risk Assessment, and Lifecycle Activities.
This demonstrates why the transition from the 85-standard set to a broader framework is not simply an increase in the number of Tests; the nature of some Requirements has also changed.
Does Every Vehicle Have to Comply with All 122 Standards?
No. The existence of 122 titles in the Requirements set does not mean that all of them are Applicable to a specific Vehicle.
Each Standard has its own Scope and may apply only to a particular Vehicle Category, Technology, System, or Configuration. When determining the Requirements relevant to a vehicle, factors such as vehicle category, type and intended use, mass and capacity where applicable, Powertrain, installed equipment, the scope of the Standard, and the implementation status of the Requirement are important.
For example, a Requirement related to a Technology that is not present on the Vehicle is not necessarily Applicable to that vehicle in the same way. Likewise, a standard intended for a specific Vehicle Category cannot be automatically extended to another Category without evaluation.
Therefore, the correct question is not “Does this vehicle have to comply with all 122 standards?”; rather, it should be determined “Which Requirements from the current set are Applicable to this Vehicle?”
How Can the Applicable Standards for a Vehicle Be Identified?
The process should begin with product definition. The Vehicle Category, Configuration, Target Market, and Technologies present on the vehicle must be identified, after which the Scope and Definitions of the relevant Standards should be reviewed.
After determining Applicability, the implementation status, exact Reference, and Verification Method of the Requirement must be identified. The result of this process can be managed in the form of a Regulatory Matrix or Applicable Requirements Matrix.
This approach is much more accurate than taking a 122-row List and checking every item for every vehicle.
How Are Iranian National Vehicle Standards Related to UN Regulations?
When reviewing vehicle Standards, we often encounter References such as UN R14, R16, R17, R94, R100, or R155 alongside Iranian national standard numbers.
These numbers refer to UN Regulations covering Vehicles, Systems, and Components, and many technical vehicle Requirements have been developed internationally within this framework. Some Iranian national standards are also related to or have equivalent standards corresponding to these Regulations.
However, identifying a UN Regulation number is not sufficient for project planning. It must be determined which Iranian national standard applies, which Version or Amendment is referenced, what its Scope is, and what the implementation status of the Requirement is.
Therefore, the international Reference is an important tool for understanding a Requirement, but the exact applicable document for the project must be identified.
Is the Latest Version of a UN Regulation Always the Same as the Iranian National Standard?
Not necessarily. A national standard may have been developed or revised based on a specific Version of an international Regulation, while the original Regulation may subsequently receive additional Amendments.
Therefore, simply because UNECE has published a newer version of a Regulation does not mean that the same change is automatically incorporated into the national Standard without the relevant process.
This issue is very important in Test Planning. The laboratory and Customer must know which exact Reference serves as the basis for the test and should not record only the general Regulation number.
Where Can You Find the List of the 122 Vehicle Standards?
For project use, a long PDF containing Standard numbers is usually not a suitable tool. Users need to be able to find a Standard by title or number, view its relevant group, and check its implementation status.
For this reason, the 122 Vehicle Standards Table is available on the TAT website.
On this page, you can search for Standards and filter them by group or implementation status, and view information such as the standard title, Iranian national standard number, equivalent standard or regulation, and stated implementation status.
Why Is Implementation Status More Important Than the List Itself?
Suppose a Standard exists within the 122-standard set, but its implementation is scheduled for a future phase. If we only look at the List and do not check its implementation status, we may mistakenly consider a future Requirement to be a Requirement currently in force.
Conversely, if the team only considers current Requirements while the Product Launch is scheduled several years later, it may exclude future requirements from the Design Inputs.
Therefore, for Regulatory Planning, at least three pieces of data must be considered together:
Standard → Applicability → Implementation Status
Without these three elements, a simple List does not provide sufficient information for an engineering decision.
How Do the New Standards Affect Automotive Projects?
The impact of new Requirements can begin much earlier than the Laboratory Test stage. If a Requirement concerns Driver Assistance, Sensor Architecture and the Control System may be affected. If a Requirement concerns Cybersecurity, the Software Development Process and Organizational Controls may become important. If Electric Vehicle Safety is involved, the Electrical Architecture and REESS Design must be aligned with the relevant Requirements from the beginning.
For this reason, Compliance should not be an activity that begins after the Design has been frozen.
Regulatory Requirements are part of the Design Inputs.
The later a Requirement is identified, the greater the likelihood of Design Change, delay, and Re-Test.
What Impact Do the New Standards Have on Component Manufacturers?
The expansion of Requirements does not affect only the vehicle manufacturer. A Supplier may be required to provide a new Component, a different Sensor, a Software Function, or additional technical Evidence to the Customer.
The OEM may also transfer the relevant Requirements into its Technical Specifications or Supplier Requirements.
Therefore, a Component manufacturer should not look only at the current Drawing; if the Product is being designed for a Platform that will enter Production several years later, the project's Regulatory Roadmap may also affect the Design Target.
What Impact Do the New Standards Have on the Test Program?
When a new Requirement becomes Applicable, its Verification Method must also be incorporated into the Test/Verification Plan. However, this does not automatically mean that an additional Physical Test is required; the Reference Method must first be reviewed.
In some cases, new equipment, a Fixture, Software Tool, or Test Facility may be required. In other cases, Assessment or Documentation may play a greater role.
For this reason, Test Capability Planning should begin before the final Prototype is ready.
Where Should You Start with Vehicle Standards Testing?
The first step is to identify the Applicable Standard. After that, the exact Reference, Test Method, Sample Configuration, and Acceptance Criteria must be determined.
The next step is to determine which Laboratory can perform the Test and whether the required Activity falls within the laboratory's service capabilities and, where necessary, its relevant Scope.
TAT Automotive Testing Laboratory provides vehicle testing and technical evaluation services within the framework of the laboratory's approved scope of application. To view the available tests, you can refer to the TAT Test Table
If the Applicable Requirements or Test Plan have not yet been defined, reviewing these items before preparing the Sample can help prevent Rework and the submission of an unsuitable sample.
Does the Presence of a Standard in the 122-Standard Set Mean That TAT Performs That Test?
No. These two issues must be considered separately.
The 122-standard page concerns automotive Regulatory Requirements; the testing scope of a Laboratory is a separate matter. A Standard may exist within the vehicle Requirements set while its Test is not included in the service Scope of a particular laboratory.
Therefore, to evaluate TAT's Capability, the table of available tests and the dedicated pages for each Test should be consulted.
Do the 122 Vehicle Standards Apply Only to New Vehicles?
The Requirements and their implementation timelines must be evaluated according to the relevant Regulatory process, and not all new requirements can be applied to all older vehicles without considering the timing and conditions.
Implementation programs generally specify from what date and for which processes the Requirements will apply.
Therefore, when evaluating an older Vehicle, a Vehicle currently in Production, or a new Vehicle, the timing, Approval Status, and Requirement applicable in that specific Context must be considered.
Do 122 Standards Mean Greater Vehicle Safety?
Expanding the Requirements can bring more areas of Vehicle Safety and Technology under the Regulatory framework, but the number 122 alone is not a vehicle safety score.
Two vehicles may both meet their Applicable legal Requirements while differing in Development Margin, Technology, or Performance.
Likewise, Compliance with Regulations is not the same as Consumer Rating Programs such as NCAP.
Therefore, it is better to view the 122-standard set as a broader framework of technical requirements, rather than a vehicle safety scoring system.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 122 Vehicle Standards
What Are the 122 Vehicle Standards?
They are an expanded set of automotive standard requirements within the type-approval framework, incorporating both previous Requirements and newer requirements.
Have the 85 Vehicle Standards Been Removed?
No. The Requirements framework has been expanded, and new requirements have been introduced alongside the previous ones.
Do 122 Standards Mean 122 Tests?
No. The Verification Method differs for each Requirement, and not all Requirements necessarily involve an independent Physical Test.
Are All 122 Standards Mandatory for All Vehicles?
No. Applicability depends on the Vehicle Category, Configuration, Technology, and Scope of each Standard, and the implementation status must also be checked.
When Will the New Standards Take Effect?
According to the stated schedule, the implementation phases for the new requirements are scheduled for September 23, 2027, March 21, 2030, and March 20, 2032.
Do the 122 Vehicle Standards Include ADAS?
Within the expanded framework, Requirements related to certain Driver Assistance Technologies have also become more important. The Applicability of each Requirement must be evaluated for the Vehicle in question.
Do Electric Vehicles Have New Requirements?
In addition to general vehicle Requirements, Electric Vehicles may also be subject to requirements related to Electrical Safety and Energy Storage Systems.
Has Cybersecurity Become Part of Vehicle Requirements?
Cybersecurity is one of the emerging areas of automotive Regulation at the international level, and UN R155 is one of the well-known Regulations in this field.
Where Can We Find the List of the 122 Vehicle Standards?
To view and search the Standards, you can use the 122 Vehicle Standards Table on TAT.IR.
From 85 to 122 Vehicle Standards: It’s More Than Just a Number
At first glance, the change from 85 to 122 may appear to be simply an increase in the number of Standards. However, its real significance lies in the expansion of Regulatory Requirements alongside the evolution of vehicle technology.
The previous Requirements remain an important part of the automotive standards framework, while areas such as Driver Assistance, Vulnerable Road User protection, Electric Vehicle Safety, and Cybersecurity have gained greater importance alongside them. At the same time, not all Requirements are Applicable to every vehicle, and the new requirements will enter into force in different phases according to the implementation schedule.
Therefore, for an automaker, importer, or Supplier, the main question should not be “How do we pass 122 standards?” The more professional question is: “For this Vehicle Configuration and the time when the product enters the type-approval process, which Requirements are Applicable, when will they enter into force, and at what stage should they be incorporated into the Design and Verification Plan?”
To review the Standard titles, equivalent standards, and implementation status of each Requirement, you can use the 122 Vehicle Standards Table