Fire safety regulations for vehicle components

UNECE Regulation No. 118 (R118), issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), sets mandatory fire safety standards for automotive interior materials.

The regulation addresses fire risks on two levels: vehicle type approval, which ensures all the interior material used in the vehicle comply with safety requirements, and component or material approval, which tests individual interior elements such as seat fabrics, curtains, insulation, and electrical cables.

R118 applies primarily to M3 category vehicles, especially Class II and Class III buses, coaches and certain commercial vehicles. It aims to reduce fire risks by regulating flammability, melting behaviour, and cable burning properties etc.

To comply with R118, vehicle interior components, including seats, panels, insulation, floor coverings, and cables, must pass specific tests under various annexes, such as:

• Annex 6 – Horizontal burning rate for interior materials – Materials used inside passenger compartments must burn at a rate of ≤ 100 mm/min.
• Annex 7 – Melting behaviour – Materials should not produce flaming droplets that could spread fire.
• Annex 8 – Vertical burning test – Materials must self-extinguish quickly after being exposed to a flame.
• Annex 9 – Smoke density and toxicity – Limits the opacity of smoke from insulation materials in the engine compartment to maintain visibility for safe evacuation. Restricts the emission of toxic gases from burning materials used in the engine compartment.
• Annex 10 – Burning behaviour of electrical cables – Cables longer than 100 mm must pass flame resistance and spread tests to prevent fire propagation.

For OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and material manufacturers, R118 compliance is essential for type approval and market access in UNECE member countries. Meeting these requirements delivers multiple advantages:

• Enhanced passenger safety: Reduces fire hazards in public transport vehicles
• Global market access: Enables legal sales and operation in regulated markets
• Reduced business risk: Avoids costly redesigns, retests, and project delays
• Stronger customer trust: Demonstrates commitment to safety and regulatory excellence

TÜV SÜD delivers a complete R118 compliance pathway, from early risk assessment to final certification, enabling you to bring safe, compliant vehicle components to market faster. As an accredited testing provider, we combine regulatory expertise, advanced testing facilities, and rapid turnaround times to keep your projects on track.

By engaging us early, you can minimise the risk of failed tests, reduce costly rework, and streamline your approval process. Our internationally recognised reports also support market access in all UNECE member countries without the need for duplicate testing.

We offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to support you at every stage of the product lifecycle, from initial design to final certification.

Accredited R118 testing

We provide full-scope testing for UNECE R118, covering all relevant annexes. Our test reports are internationally recognised and accepted by regulatory bodies.

Expert consulting & development-phase testing

Our pre-assessment consulting helps your R&D teams screen materials early on. This allows you to identify and resolve potential issues before they become costly problems later in the process.

Sample preparation services

We handle preparation of samples to meet UNECE R118 requirements, including conditioning, cutting, labelling, and documentation. Samples are mounted in the same orientation (horizontal or vertical) as installed in the vehicle to ensure realistic test results.

Typical dimensions for R118 tests include:

• Annex 6 – 356 × 100 × 13 mm (Length × Width × Thickness)
• Annex 7 – 70 × 70 × 13 mm
• Annex 8 – 560 × 170 × 13 mm
• Annex 9 – 140 × 140 × 5 mm
• Annex 10 – minimum 600 mm length (for cables)

Failure analysis

If a sample fails, our experts provide detailed insights into the causes and offer recommendations for material or design adjustments to help you pass the next attempt.

Certification readiness support

We work with you to ensure all your documentation and test results are in order, preparing you for type approval and compliance audits with confidence.