New technical standards aimed at making interiors less flammable

New global technical standards have been agreed advising manufacturers how to design vehicles so that plastics used in their interior construction are less prone to catch fire. The standards were agreed by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, part of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (Unece).

Its voluntary standards are often written into national and international laws worldwide, especially European Union (EU) regulations, sometimes almost word-for-word.

The standard advises on flammability testing on plastics used, stating that they have to be tested in situ, as well as in fume cupboards. The size and shape of test samples are also stipulated in its detailed rules. Another test checks the melting behaviour of plastics used in vehicle interiors when heated by a 500-watt electric radiator.