UN / ECE R 124 Tests

UN ECE R124 tests cover a series of tests carried out in accordance with the relevant regulation to evaluate the wheels, spare wheels and rims of the vehicles in the categories specified in the regulation.  

ECE regulations define cross-border technical regulations for establishing approval or uniform approval procedures for motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. Automated commercial vehicles are already fully eligible for approval only through appropriate individual measures in the country in which they will be used. What is missing is a set of rules at the international ECE level.

Regulation No. 124 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) – It covers the uniform provisions regarding the approval of wheels for passenger cars and their trailers and the tests applied accordingly.

This regulation contains the requirements for the manufacture and assembly of car wheels and covers new wheels as spares and spare parts for vehicles of categories M 1 , M 1 G, O 1 and O 2. It does not apply to wheels that represent original equipment or wheels that are spare parts from the vehicle manufacturer. It also does not apply to 'special wheels' which are subject to national approval.

Wheel means a load-bearing element that rotates between a tire and an axle. The wheel usually consists of two main parts: the rim and the wheel disc.

The general requirements specified in the regulation are as follows;

• The contour of the rim must meet the international standard specified by the rim manufacturer.
• The contour of the rim should ensure correct fitting of tires and valves.
• Wheels designed for use with tubeless tires must provide air retention.
• The materials used to make the wheel will be analyzed according to Annex 4.
• In the case of an identical spare wheel, there is no requirement for a physical test as stated or for verification of belonging to a vehicle as specified in paragraph 10 of Annex 2 to this Regulation.
• Sample spare wheels and model spare wheels must meet all required tests.

Within the scope of the regulation, many mechanical, dynamic and environmental tests are carried out as well as measurements for the approval of the relevant equipment. For tests to be considered successful, test results must meet regulatory requirements.