For automotive enterprises exporting vehicles overseas, the eCall emergency call system has become a mandatory access requirement for the EU, EAEU, Middle East and most global markets, with UN-R144 as the core unified regulation.
What Is eCall
eCall (emergency call) is an in-vehicle accident emergency call system. It triggers automatic or manual emergency calls to the PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) after collisions, and transmits MSD (Minimum Set of Data) including vehicle location, collision information and vehicle parameters to improve rescue efficiency.
What Is UN-R144
UN-R144 is a unified global automotive regulation formulated by UNECE WP.29, specifying the technical requirements, test methods and performance limits for in-vehicle eCall systems.
Product Coverage
·Applicable vehicles: M1 passenger cars and N1 light commercial vehicles.
·Product types: AECS (integrated vehicle emergency call system) and AECD (after-market independent eCall terminal devices).
2. Two Generations of eCall Technical Standards
Legacy eCall (2G/3G CS Mode)
Based on 2G/3G circuit-switched networks, it transmits MSD data through audio band modulation after voice channel establishment. Supporting standards: EN 15722, EN 16062 and EN 16454. Still widely used in Russia, Southeast Asia, Africa and other emerging markets.
NG eCall (4G/5G IMS Mode)
Next-generation emergency call based on 4G/5G IMS IP multimedia subsystem, realizing parallel transmission of voice and data with faster response speed and multi-media emergency service support. Supporting standards: CEN/TS 17184, CEN/TS 17240. Mainly mandatory for EU new energy vehicles.
Key reminder: NG eCall requires exclusive operator emergency APN and network authorization, with high technical threshold.
3. Core Test Items of UN-R144 Certification
·Functional Verification: Collision signal detection, automatic/manual trigger logic and emergency button compliance.
·MSD Data Transmission: Verify the integrity, accuracy and coding compliance of core accident data in line with EN 15722.
·GNSS Positioning Accuracy: Maximum horizontal error limit: 50 meters; support multi-system positioning such as GPS, Beidou and GLONASS.
·Voice Communication Quality: Emergency call channel establishment time and voice clarity assessment.
·Network Adaptability: CS network adaptation for Legacy eCall and IMS registration stability for NG eCall.
Note: UN-R144 does not cover EMC testing; vehicle EMC compliance follows UN R10 regulation independently.
4. UN-R144 Certification Process & Global Market Recognition
Standard Application Process
·Solution confirmation: Select Legacy or NG eCall hardware and software architecture according to target markets.
·Technical document preparation: System design drawings, module specifications and MSD parameter lists.
·Laboratory testing: Communication simulation, GNSS signal simulation and end-to-end emergency call testing.
·Document review & WP.29 filing: Issue official UN-R144 certificate after qualified assessment.
General Lead Time
4~6 months for complete testing, rectification and filing; 3 months for mature solutions with one-time passing.
Global Market Recognition Rules
·Full Recognition Markets: EU, Turkey, GCC Gulf countries and South America, directly adopting UN-R144 as access basis.
·Local Additional Requirements: Russia EAEU requires ERA-GLONASS docking, GOST certification and mandatory GLONASS positioning.
·Independent Regulation Markets: Individual regional markets retain exclusive emergency call access standards.
5. Enterprise Compliance Suggestions
eCall system hardware and software design are highly customized. It is necessary to confirm the target market’s eCall technical route in the early stage of vehicle development to avoid high-cost later hardware modification.
For UN-R144 eCall certification, vehicle emergency call system compliance and global market access solutions, consult Blueasia Technology expert: 13534225140 (Benson)
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