2026 EU eCall Regulatory Changes｜Full Break‑Down of (EU) 2024/1180 and UN‑R144 Updates
2026 witnesses pivotal revisions for European e‑Call systems. Delegated Regulation (EU)2024/1180 supersedes the old (EU)2015/758 directive and makes IMS‑VoIP‑based NG‑eCall mandatory while phasing out traditional circuit‑switched CS‑eCall (2G/3G‑based). This article analyzes updated regulatory frameworks, official deadlines, technical adjustments, revised test cases and practical solutions for Chinese auto manufacturers.
EU top‑level regulation Delegated Regulation (EU)2024/1180 took effect on May 9, 2024 and invalidated (EU)2015/758. It designates IMS‑PS‑domain‑based NG‑eCall as the only long‑term technical solution with legacy CS‑eCall marked as transitional technology. Supporting test standards also got updated:
·EN17184:2024+AC:2025 defines NG‑eCall functional requirements such as IMS call‑flow, MSD‑V3 datasets, backup‑power limits and GNSS positioning accuracy.
·EN17240:2024+A1:2026 sets testing methodologies including post‑crash antenna attenuation, ‑40℃~+85℃ temperature durability and long‑term vibration tests.
·UN‑R144 United Nations type‑approval regulation aligns with EU directives, and NG‑eCall projects must comply with UN‑R155 (EN18031) vehicle‑cybersecurity requirements.Old‑version CS‑eCall follows EN16062 supporting only MSD‑V2 format and new‑type‑approval applications for CS‑eCall get rejected starting Jan 1, 2026.
2. Statutory Deadlines from EU‑Lex Official Documents
·Jan 1, 2025: Open AECD component‑level and whole‑vehicle WVTA certification applications for NG‑eCall under UN‑R144.
·Jan 1, 2026: EU authorities refuse new‑model approvals relying purely on 2G/3G CS‑eCall; newly‑designed vehicles can only adopt NG‑eCall.
·Jan 1, 2027: All previously‑approved CS‑eCall certificates expire and new‑cars equipped with CS‑eCall cannot get registered across EU member‑states. Rumors about a 2030 expiry date are incorrect.
·2028‑2030: European mobile‑network operators gradually shut down 2G and 3G services, rendering legacy CS‑eCall non‑functional even with valid certificates.China’s national standard GB 45672‑2025 for vehicle emergency‑call systems was released April 25, 2025 and becomes mandatory from July 1, 2027 with different timelines independent from EU rules.
3. Core Technical Revisions for NG‑eCall
·Communication‑architecture upgradeCS‑eCall establishes calls over 2G/3G circuit‑switched domains and transmits MSD‑V2 data through circuit channels. NG‑eCall works on 4G/5G LTE‑NR networks with SIP‑based IMS sessions, RTP‑delivered audio and MSD‑V3 packets sent over PS‑domain with reserved slots for video content. EN17184 enforces a maximum of 3‑second IMS call‑setup latency otherwise samples fail evaluation directly.
·Fall‑back mechanism (UN‑R144 hard requirement)4G‑LTE‑based T‑Box modules must support hand‑off from 4G to 3G‑CS‑domain when PSAP systems do not support IMS or 4G signals disappear; pure‑4G‑single‑mode hardware cannot pass certification. For 5G‑NR T‑Boxes, a hierarchical fall‑back chain from 5G‑NR down to 4G‑LTE then to 3G‑CS‑domain is allowed without mandatory built‑in 3G base‑bands. Many 5G manufacturers choose 4G+3G dual‑mode modules to avoid later‑stage compatibility risks.
·Unchanged backup‑power requirements: The 66‑minute full‑cycle test (5‑min call +56‑min standby +5‑min call) remains compulsory; products with only 10‑minute short‑time tests will be rejected.
·Tightened GNSS positioning requirements: CEP ≤15 meters during regular driving and CEP ≤8 meters right after collisions, which becomes a top failure point for Chinese‑made T‑Box devices.
4. Newly‑Added Test Items under EN17240:2024
·Post‑impact antenna attenuation testing: After receiving a 4‑G acceleration shock, cellular and GNSS antennas must maintain performance for emergency‑call connections. Equivalent shock test‑benches are acceptable without physical vehicle‑crash trials and several Chinese labs own this testing capability.
·Wide‑temperature reliability under ‑40℃~+85℃ cycles while keeping IMS registration and calling functions active all the time.
·Long‑term vibration durability simulating full‑lifetime vehicle‑operating conditions rather than short‑term vibration‑tests.
·Multi‑radio co‑existence testing: Activated Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi and 4G/5G functions must not interfere with IMS emergency calls.
·UN‑R155 (EN18031) cybersecurity assessments including firmware encryption, secure boot, vulnerability‑repair plans and log‑data storage become compulsory.
5. Practical Impacts and Advice for Chinese Automakers
Hardware‑level influence: Existing domestic CS‑eCall solutions mostly use 2G/3G‑only modules incompatible with NG‑eCall. Most T‑Box units need new communication‑chip selection, RF‑circuit redesign, IMS‑protocol‑stack development and upgraded backup‑power systems. Project‑timeline outlook: A properly‑developed AECD T‑Box project takes at least six months and can extend to 10‑12 months after hardware revisions; manufacturers who haven’t kicked‑off projects face tight schedules. PSAP adaptation: Some EU‑country PSAP platforms are not upgraded to IMS‑VoIP yet so T‑Box devices have to switch back to CS‑domain correctly requiring compatibility tests with local European operators.
Recommended implementation plans for Chinese companies:
·Conduct hardware evaluations for existing T‑Box modules, confirm 4G‑3G fall‑back for 4G models and design a 5G‑4G‑3G hierarchical hand‑off framework for 5G‑NR devices.
·Run pre‑tests for IMS latency, backup‑power cycles and GNSS accuracy before formal submission to avoid repeated revisions and high re‑testing costs.
·Carry out targeted PSAP joint‑verification for France, Italy and Spain.
·Build CSMS cybersecurity management systems in advance to satisfy UN‑R155 requirements before whole‑vehicle WVTA certification.
6. Long‑Term Compliance Requirements
UN‑R144 certificates stay valid indefinitely if communication modules, antennas and RF circuits remain unchanged, with annual COP production‑consistency audits organized by NB‑bodies. EU officials randomly select finished‑T‑Box samples for re‑testing in‑market. If RF parameters and firmware versions differ from filed versions, UN‑R144 certificates get revoked and whole‑vehicles are prohibited from sales within EU territories. The 2026‑updated EN17184 mandates MSD‑V3 format; NG‑eCall products with old MSD‑V2 data format will be judged non‑compliant.
For UN‑R144 project planning and pre‑testing services, consult BlueAsia compliance specialist Benson at +86 13534225140.
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