EU: Adoption of a new delegated regulation for eCall

 

The EU Commission has informed about the adoption of a new delegated regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2015/758 as regards the standards relating to eCall.

Basically, it establishes new standards for the eCall system.

Regulation (EU) 2015/758 mandates that all new vehicle types in categories M1 Und N1 must be equipped with a 112-based eCall in-vehicle system.

The Commission’s Communication on a Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy highlights the need to update the eCall legal framework in line with evolving telecommunication technologies.

Regulation (EU) 2015/758 also references a set of European standards and technical specifications, which form the basis for the technical approval requirements of eCall systems and vehicles equipped with them.

Recently, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) adopted updated standards:

• EN 17184:2024 (replacing CEN/TS 17184:2022), and
• EN 17240:2024 (replacing CEN/TS 17240:2018).
  Additionally, the revised EN 16072:2025 introduces changes relevant to eCall systems.

Consequently, the references to these standards in Article 5(8) of Regulation (EU) 2015/758 need to be updated to reflect the latest versions.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/793, which sets out the technical requirements and testing procedures for 112-based eCall systems and equipped vehicles, should also be revised to:

• Ensure technological neutrality, and
• Enable technology-agnostic test implementations.

To enhance the reliability of the eCall self-testing mechanism, it is necessary to require that failure modes be tested individually.

To support effective periodic roadworthiness testing, as per Directive 2014/45/EU, specific technical requirements should be included at the type-approval stage to ensure test-readiness throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.

To eliminate ambiguity in verifying the non-traceability of eCall systems, the expected system behavior after an eCall transmission must be clearly defined.

Furthermore, to ensure consistency in testing procedures across the annexes of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/793, those annexes should clearly distinguish between:

• Test conditions
• Test methods, and
• Assessment criteria.

Provisions should also be introduced to allow for the extension of existing approvals (granted before 1 January 2027) for eCall systems operating on circuit-switched networks, ensuring continued compliance as systems transition to packet-switched technologies.

To ensure continued eCall functionality in the event of a disconnection from the main vehicle power supply, test procedures should be defined for:

• The back-up power supply (if fitted), and
• Any secondary vehicle power supply that may activate following a road accident.

Accordingly, Regulation (EU) 2015/758 Und Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/793 should be amended to incorporate these updates.

To allow adequate time for implementation, the mandatory application of the updated standards EN 17184:2024 Und EN 17240:2024 should be postponed until 1 January 2027. Transitional provisions should also be established for the phased implementation of:

• New requirements regarding the eCall system’s power supply, and
• The roadworthiness readiness of vehicles equipped with such systems.