DETAILED and comprehensive regulations have been proposed for approval by European Union (EU) ministers, harmonising rules stating how carmakers should design models to protect occupants involved in head-on and lateral collisions.

The rules would enshrine in EU law technical guidelines drawn up by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which cover issues such as airbag operation, child restraints, steering wheel position and crash test dummies, whose performance has recently been improved by an international project.

Indeed, the regulations lay down detailed rules on dummy tests, stipulating torso angles, foot and leg positions and the like. Manufacturers will have to comply to gain EU marketing approval for their models.