ISO/DIS 14451-6:2026(en)
Secretariat: AFNOR
ISO/TC 22/SC 36
Date: 2025-11-18
Pyrotechnic articles — Pyrotechnic articles for vehicles — Part 6: Requirements and categorization for airbag modules
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
Contents
4 Requirements and acceptance criteria 1
4.2 Verification of design and documentation 1
4.4 Vibration and temperature test 2
4.5 Thermal humidity cycling test 2
4.6 Electro static discharge (ESD) test 2
5 Test matrix for airbag modules 5
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 36, Safety and impact testing.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 14451-6:2013), which has been technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the two last sentences of the scope have been deleted;
— the conformity to ISO/DIS 14451-8:2025 for igniters (ESR 4) has been added in 4.1;
— 4.2.2 on forbidden substances and 4.2.3 on disposal have been added;
— 5: the test results from a sub-level pyrotechnic article are no longer reused for the assessment of the highest-level pyrotechnic article in terms of ageing and fire test. Table 1 (test matrix) has been updated accordingly.
— a new conditional functioning test with height measurement has been added in 4.8 and in 5, Table 1;
— a criterion for ejection’s height has been added in 6.2.
A list of all parts in the ISO 14451 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
Pyrotechnic articles — Pyrotechnic articles for vehicles — Part 6: Requirements and categorization for airbag modules
1.0 Scope
This document specifies the types and order of tests for application to the airbag modules and sets out the acceptance criteria and means of categorization.
2.0 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/DIS 14451‑1:2025,[1] Pyrotechnic articles — Pyrotechnic articles for vehicles — Part 1: Vocabulary
ISO/DIS 14451‑2:20251), Pyrotechnic articles — Pyrotechnic articles for vehicles — Part 2: Test methods
ISO/DIS 14451‑4:20251), Pyrotechnic articles — Pyrotechnic articles for vehicles — Part 4: Requirements and categorization for micro gas generators
ISO/DIS 14451‑5:20251), Pyrotechnic articles — Pyrotechnic articles for vehicles — Part 5: Requirements and categorization for airbag gas generators
ISO/DIS 14451‑8:20251), Pyrotechnic articles — Pyrotechnic articles for vehicles — Part 8: Requirements and categorization for igniters
3.0 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/DIS 14451-1:2025 apply.
4.0 Requirements and acceptance criteria
4.1 General
Airbag modules shall meet the requirements specified in 4.2 to 4.8 taking into account the test matrix of Clause 5.
All igniters included in the article shall comply with the requirements of ISO/DIS 14451-8:2025, 4.9 unless the extraction of the igniter from the article is not possible without the need of specific tools, knowledge and/or methods.
4.1.1 Verification of design and documentation
4.1.2 Documentation
Documentation shall be complete as specified in ISO/DIS 14451‑2:2025, 4.1.
4.1.3 Forbidden substances
Any of the following substances shall be forbidden from the pyrotechnic compositions:
— arsenic or arsenic compounds;
— polychlorobenzenes;
— mercury compounds;
— lead compounds (except for those included in ignition devices);
— white phosphorus;
— picrates or picric acid (except for those included in ignition devices).
4.1.4 Disposal
Safety Data Sheet shall include relevant information on disposal of the article. It is presupposed that information is given in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
4.2 Drop test
4.2.1 Requirements
Airbag modules shall be tested as specified in ISO/DIS 14451‑2:2025, 4.2.
Alternatively if all (micro) gas generator(s)/igniter(s) are already successfully tested according to ISO/DIS 14451‑4:2025 and ISO/DIS 14451‑5:2025, these tests should be considered passed for the airbag module as well.
4.2.2 Acceptance criteria
No ignition of the airbag module shall occur.
No spill out of the pyrotechnic composition from the airbag module shall occur.
4.3 Vibration and temperature test
4.3.1 Requirements
Airbag modules shall be tested as specified in ISO/DIS 14451‑2:2025, 4.3.
4.3.2 Acceptance criteria
No ignition of the airbag module shall occur.
No spill out of the pyrotechnic composition from the airbag module shall occur.
4.4 Thermal humidity cycling test
4.4.1 Requirements
Airbag modules shall be tested as specified in ISO/DIS 14451‑2:2025, 4.4.
4.4.2 Acceptance criteria
No ignition of the airbag module shall occur.
4.5 Electro static discharge (ESD) test
4.5.1 Requirements
Airbag modules shall be tested as specified in ISO/DIS 14451‑2:2025, 4.5.
Alternatively if all (micro) gas generator(s)/ignite(s) are already successfully tested according to ISO/DIS 14451‑4:2025, ISO/DIS 14451‑5:2025 and ISO/DIS 14451‑8:2025, these tests should be considered passed for the airbag module as well.
4.5.2 Acceptance criteria
No ignition of the airbag module shall occur.
4.6 Fire test
4.6.1 Requirements
Airbag modules shall be tested as specified in ISO/DIS 14451‑2:2025, 4.6 with the following heating rate and positions:
— Heating rate: 80 K/min.
The number and orientation of the burners shall be chosen such that the whole cross-section (projection to the gird) of the airbag module or at least to the area of the airbag module where the (micro) gas generator(s) / igniter(s) / actuator(s) are situated shall be completely engulfed by the flames.
Position for curtain modules, see Figure 1.
Key
1 burners (flame)
2 support
3 grid
4 article
Figure 1 — Bag unfolded
Position for modules except curtain modules, see Figure 2.
Key
1 burners (flame)
2 support
3 grid
4 article
Figure 2 — Bag away from flame
4.6.2 Acceptance criteria
Only foreseeable fragmentation or foreseeable opening of the airbag module shall occur. See documentation in 4.2.
4.7 Functioning Test
4.7.1 Requirements
Airbag modules shall be tested as specified in ISO/DIS 14451‑2:2025, 4.9 with the following positions without any fixation.
When airbag modules with multi-stage gas generators or airbag modules with single- or multi-stage gas generators in addition with any number and combination of igniters, micro gas generators, actuators, gas generators are tested, the delay between ignition of stage 1 and the following stages shall be 5 ms or in accordance with the product specification or requirements given by the manufacturer.
Position for modules except for curtain modules, see Figure 3.
Key
1 ground
2 airbag module
3 bag
Figure 3 — Horizontal, bag away from the ground
Position for curtain modules, see Figure 4.
Key
1 ground
2 inflator
3 bag
Figure 4— Horizontal, bag unfolded
If a high vertical displacement of any fragment or the article itself can be expected when functioning, one additional functioning test on an unexposed article shall be carried out as specified in ISO/DIS 14451-2:2025, 4.10.
4.7.2 Acceptance criteria
Only intended fragmentation or intended opening of the airbag module shall occur. See documentation in 4.2.
5.0 Test matrix for airbag modules
Table 1 shows the test matrix which summarizes all tests in an overview. Test articles have been numbered from 1 to 11 for easier reference. The roman numbers in the Table indicate in which sequence the same article will undergo different examinations.
Table 1 — Test matrix
| Test methods of ISO/DIS 14451‑2:2025 | Requirements of ISO/DIS 14451‑6:2025 | Unexposed airbag modules | Exposed airbag modules | |||||
Article number |
|
| 1 | 2 to 4 | 5a | 6 | 7 to 9 | 10 | 11 |
Possibility to reuse the test from sub-level(s) article(s) for the assessment of the airbag module. See relevant test requirement. |
|
| NO | NO | NO | YES | YES | NO | NO |
Verification of design and documentation | 4.1 | 4.2 | I | I | I | I | I | I | I |
Drop test | 4.2 | 4.3 |
|
|
|
| II |
|
|
Vibration and temperature test | 4.3 | 4.4 |
|
|
|
|
| II |
|
Thermal humidity cycling test | 4.4 | 4.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| II |
Electrostatic discharge test | 4.5 | 4.6 |
|
|
| II |
|
|
|
Fire test | 4.6 | 4.7 | II |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Functioning test | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| II |
|
|
| III | III |
Functioning test with height measurement | 4.10 | 4.8 |
|
| IIa |
|
|
|
|
a Optional test see 4.8.1 | |||||||||
6.0 Categorization
6.1 Categories
Airbag modules shall be categorized as follows:
— Category P1: Airbag modules that present a low hazard;
— Category P2: Airbag modules that are intended for handling or use only by persons with specialist knowledge.
6.1.1 Acceptance criteria
The assignment to P1 or P2 shall be done according to the following criteria when tested under functioning test (see 4.8):
— P1 criterion: The distance from the initial location to the first impact on the ground of the airbag module or any fragment shall be not more than 15 m and height of ejection shall be not more than 15 m.
— P2 criterion: If P1 criterion is not fulfilled.
(informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the essential safety requirements of Directive 2013/29/EU aimed to be covered
This European Standard has been prepared under a Commission’s standardization request M/583 ”C(2022) 3011 final” to provide one voluntary means of conforming to essential requirements of Directive 2013/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pyrotechnic articles (recast).
Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union under that Directive, compliance with the normative clauses of this standard given in Table ZA.1 confers, within the limits of the scope of this standard, a presumption of conformity with the corresponding essential requirements of that Directive 2013/29/EU, and associated EFTA regulations.
Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and
Annex I of Directive 2013/29/EU
Essential Safety Requirements of Directive | Clause(s)/sub-clause(s) of this EN | Remarks/Notes |
|---|---|---|
1. | 4.8 | Note: It is taken into account that the intended purpose of the pyrotechnic article is to function in a vehicle in case of accidents |
2 | 4.2 |
|
3. 1st paragraph | 4.8 |
|
3. 2nd and 3rd paragraphs | 4.3 to 4.8 | Note: It is taken into account that the intended purpose of the pyrotechnic article is to function in a vehicle in case of accidents |
3. a) | 4.2 |
|
3. b) | 4.4, 4.5 |
|
3. c) | 4.3, 4.4, 4.6 |
|
3. d) | 4.5 |
|
3. e) | 4.5 |
|
3. f) | 4.4, 4.5 |
|
3. g) | 4.6 |
|
3. h) | 4.2 | Note: 4.2 covers partially this ESR |
3. i) | 4.3, 4.5 |
|
3. j) | Not covered |
|
3. Last paragraph | 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6 |
|
4. a) | 4.1 |
|
4. b) | 4.1 |
|
4. c) | 4.1 |
|
5. A | Not applicable |
|
5. B. 1. | 4.8, 4.2, 6 |
|
5. B. 2. | Not covered |
|
5. B. 3. | 4.7 |
|
5. B. 4. | Not covered |
|
5. C.1. | 4.8 |
|
5. C.2. | 4.6 |
|
5. C.3.-5. C.5. | Not covered |
|
5. C. 6. | 4.2 |
|
5. C.7. | Not covered |
|
WARNING 1 — Presumption of conformity stays valid only as long as a reference to this European Standard is maintained in the list published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Users of this standard should consult frequently the latest list published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
WARNING 2 — Other Union legislation may be applicable to the product(s) falling within the scope of this standard.
Under Preparation at DIS stage ↑
