Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

3. Criteria for the categorisation of vehicles in category N U.K.

3.1. The categorisation of a type of vehicle in category N shall be based on the technical features of the vehicle as referred to in points 3.2 to 3.6. U.K.

3.2. As a matter of principle, the compartment(s) where all the seating positions are located, shall be completely separated from the loading area. U.K.

3.3. By way of derogation from the requirements of point 3.2, persons and goods may be transported in the same compartment under the condition that the loading area is provided with securing devices designed to protect persons transported against the displacement of the load during driving, including severe braking and cornering. U.K.

3.4. Securing devices - lashing devices - intended for securing the load as required in point 3.3 as well as partitioning systems, intended for vehicles up to 7,5 tonnes shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of international standard ISO 27956:2009 ‘Road vehicles – Securing of cargo in delivery vans – Requirements and test methods’. U.K.

3.4.1. The requirements referred to in point 3.4 may be verified by a statement of compliance provided by the manufacturer. U.K.

3.4.2. As an alternative to the requirements of point 3.4, the manufacturer may demonstrate to the satisfaction of the approval authority that the securing devices fitted show an equivalent level of protection as provided in the referred standard. U.K.

3.5. The number of seating positions excluding the driver's seating position shall not exceed: U.K.

(a)

6 in the case of N₁ vehicles;

(b)

8 in the case of N₂ or N₃ vehicles.

3.6. Vehicles shall show a goods-carrying capacity equal or higher than the person-carrying capacity expressed in kg. U.K.

3.6.1. For such purposes, the following equations shall be satisfied in all configurations, in particular when all seating positions are occupied: U.K.

(a)

when N = 0:

P – M ≥ 100 kg

(b)

when 0 < N ≤ 2:

P – (M + N × 68) ≥ 150 kg;

(c)

when N > 2:

P – (M + N × 68) ≥ N × 68;

where the letters have the following meaning:

• ‘P’ is the technically permissible maximum laden mass;

• ‘M’ is the mass in running order;

• ‘N’ is the number of seating positions excluding the driver's seating position.

3.6.2. The mass of equipment that is fitted to the vehicle in order to accommodate goods (e.g. tank, bodywork, etc.), to handle goods (e.g. crane, lift, etc.) and to secure goods (e.g. cargo securing devices) shall be included in M. U.K.

3.6.3. The mass of equipment that is not used for the purposes referred to in point 3.6.2 (such as a compressor, a winch, an electric power generator, broadcasting equipment, etc.) shall not be included in M for the purposes of the application of the formulae referred to in point 3.6.1. U.K.

3.7. The requirements referred to in points 3.2 to 3.6 shall be met for all variants and versions within the type of vehicle. U.K.

3.8. Criteria for the categorisation of vehicles as N₁. U.K.

3.8.1. A vehicle shall be categorised as N₁ when all the applicable criteria are met. U.K.

When one or more of the criteria are not met, the vehicle shall be categorised as M₁.

3.8.2. In addition to the general criteria referred to in points 3.2 to 3.6, the criteria specified in this point shall be met for the categorisation of vehicles for which the compartment where the driver is located and the load are within a single unit (i.e. bodywork ‘BB’). U.K.

3.8.2.1. The fact that a wall or a partition, complete or partial, is fitted between a seat row and the cargo area shall not rule out the obligation to meet the required criteria. U.K.

3.8.2.2. The criteria shall be as follows: U.K.

(a)

the loading of the goods shall be possible by a rear door, a tailgate or a side-door designed and constructed for that purposes;

(b)

in the case of a rear door or a tailgate, the loading aperture shall meet the following requirements:

(i)

in the case the vehicle is fitted with only one row of seats or with only the driver seat, the minimum height of the loading aperture shall be at least 600 mm;

(ii)

in the case the vehicle is fitted with two or more rows of seats, the minimum height of the loading aperture shall be at least 800 mm and the aperture shall show a surface of at least 12 800 cm²;

(c)

The cargo area shall meet the following requirements:

‘cargo area’ means the part of the vehicle located behind the row(s) of seats or behind the driver seat when the vehicle is fitted with only one driver seat;

(i)

the loading surface of the cargo area shall be generally flat;

(ii)

where the vehicle is fitted with only one row of seats or with one seat, the minimum length of the cargo area shall be at least 40 % of the wheelbase;

(iii)

where the vehicle is fitted with two or more rows of seats, the minimum length of the cargo area shall be at least 30 % of the wheelbase.

Where the seats of the last row of seats can be easily removed from the vehicle without the use of special tools, the requirements regarding the length of the cargo area shall be met with all the seats installed in the vehicle;

(iv)

the requirements regarding the length of the cargo area shall be met when the seats of the first row or of the last row, as the case may be, are upright in their normal position for use by the vehicle occupants.

3.8.2.3. Specific conditions for measurement U.K.

3.8.2.3.1. Definitions U.K.

(a)

‘Height of the loading aperture’, means the vertical distance between two horizontal planes tangent respectively to the highest point of the lower part of the doorway and the lowest point of the upper part of the doorway;

(b)

‘Surface of the loading aperture’ means the greatest surface of the orthogonal projection on a vertical plane, perpendicular to the centreline of the vehicle, of the maximum aperture permitted when the rear door(s) or tailgate is (are) wide open;

(c)

‘Wheelbase’, for the purposes of application of the formulae in points 3.8.2.2 and 3.8.3.1, means the distance between:

(i)

the centreline of the front axle and the centreline of the second axle in the case of a two axle vehicle; or

(ii)

the centreline of the front axle and the centreline of a virtual axle equally distant from the second and third axle in the case of a three axle vehicle.

3.8.2.3.2. Seat adjustments U.K.

(a)

The seats shall be adjusted at their rear outermost positions;

(b)

The seat back, if adjustable, shall be adjusted as to accommodate the three-dimensional H-point machine at a torso angle of 25 degrees;

(c)

The seat back, if not adjustable, shall be in the position designed by the vehicle manufacturer;

(d)

When the seat is adjustable in height, it shall be adjusted to its lowest position.

3.8.2.3.3. Vehicle conditions U.K.

(a)

The vehicle shall be in loaded conditions corresponding to its maximum mass;

(b)

The vehicle shall be with its wheels straight ahead.

3.8.2.3.4. The requirements of point 3.8.2.3.2 shall not apply when the vehicle is fitted with a wall or a partition. U.K.

3.8.2.3.5. Measurement of the length of the cargo area U.K.

(a)

When the vehicle is not fitted with a partition or a wall, the length shall be measured from a vertical plane tangent to the rear outermost point of the top of the seat back to the rear internal pane or door or tailgate, in closed position;

(b)

When the vehicle is fitted with a partition or a wall, the length shall be measured from a vertical plane tangent to the rear outermost point of the partition or the wall to the rear internal pane or door or tailgate, as the case may be, in closed position;

(c)

The requirements concerning the length shall be fulfilled at least along a horizontal line situated in the longitudinal vertical plane passing through the centreline of the vehicle, at the level of the load floor.

3.8.3. In addition to the general criteria referred to in points 3.2 to 3.6, the criteria specified in this point shall be met for the categorisation of vehicles for which the compartment where the driver is located and the load are not within a single unit (i.e. bodywork ‘BE’). U.K.

3.8.3.1. Where the vehicle is fitted with an enclosure type body, the following shall apply: U.K.

(a)

the loading of the goods shall be possible by a rear door, a tailgate or a panel or other means;

(b)

the minimum height of the loading aperture shall be at least 800 mm and the aperture shall show a surface of at least 12 800 cm²;

(c)

The minimum length of the cargo area shall be at least 40 % of the wheelbase.

3.8.3.2. Where the vehicle is fitted with an open type cargo area, only the provisions referred to in points 3.8.3.1(a) and (c) shall apply. U.K.

3.8.3.3. For the application of the provisions referred to in point 3.8.3, the definitions in point 3.8.2.3.1 shall apply. U.K.

3.8.3.4. However, the requirements concerning the length of the cargo area shall be fulfilled along a horizontal line situated in the longitudinal plane passing through the centreline of the vehicle at the level of the load floor. U.K.