{"id":"F2006L02686","name":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 8/00 – Safety Glazing Material) 2006","slug":"vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-8-00-safety-glazing-material-2006","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":59952,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L02686-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 8/00 – Safety Glazing Material) 2006","content":"![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.png)\n\nVehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 8/00 – Safety Glazing Material) 2006\n\nI, JAMES ERIC LLOYD, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, determine this vehicle standard under subsection 7 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.\n\nDated 31 July 2006\n\n\\[SIGNED\\]\n\nJames Eric Lloyd\n\nMinister for Local Government, Territories and Roads\n\nCONTENTS\n\n0. legislative provisions.............................................3\n\nPurpose and SCOPE.....................................................3\n\nAPPLICABILITY......................................................3\n\n8.0. DEFINITIONS..................................................4\n\n8.1. REQUIREMENTS FOR GLAZING MATERIAL......................4\n\n8.2. MARKING OF GLASS...........................................5\n\n8.3. GLASS USED FOR WINDSCREENS...............................5\n\n8.4. SPECIFICATIONS FOR GLAZING MATERIAL......................6\n\n  \n\n0. legislative provisions\n\n0.1 NAME OF STANDARD\n\n0.11 This Standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 8/00 – Safety Glazing Material) 2006.\n\n0.12 This Standard may also be cited as Australian Design Rule 8/00 — Safety Glazing Material.\n\n0.2 COMMENCEMENT\n\n0.2.1 This Standard commences on the day after it is registered.\n\n0.3. REPEAL\n\n0.3.1. This Standard repeals each vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 8/00 — Safety Glazing Material that is:\n\n1.  made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989; and\n2.  in force at the commencement of this Standard.\n\n0.3.2. This Standard also repeals each instrument made under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 that creates a vehicle standard with the name Australian Design Rule 8/00— Safety Glazing Material, if there are no other vehicle standards created by that instrument, or amendments to vehicle standards made by that instrument, that are still in force at the commencement of this Standard.\n\nPurpose and SCOPE\n\nThis Australian Design Rule (ADR) is part of the Australian motor vehicle standards system and is a national standard for the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.\n\nThe function of this Australian Design Rule is to specify the performance requirements of material used for external or internal glazing in motor vehicles which will ensure adequate visibility under normal operating conditions, will minimise obscuration when shattered, and will minimise the likelihood of serious injury if a person comes in contact with the broken glazing material.\n\nAPPLICABILITY\n\nThis ADR applies to the design and construction of vehicles as set out in the table hereunder.\n\nThe Package 17 issue of /00 allows for the equivalent New Zealand standard and other ‘Approved’ Standards and deletes clause 8.1.3.\n\n  \n\n| Vehicle Category                              | ADR Category Code [*] | UNECE Category Code * | Manufactured on or After | Acceptable Prior Rules |\n| --------------------------------------------- | --------------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------ | ---------------------- |\n| Moped 2 wheels                                | LA                    | L1                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Moped 3 wheels                                | LB                    | L2                    | 1 March 1991             | Nil                    |\n| Motor cycle                                   | LC                    | L3                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Motor cycle and sidecar                       | LD                    | L4                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Motor tricycle                                | LE                    | L5                    | 1 March 1991             | Nil                    |\n| Passenger car                                 | MA                    | M1                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Forward-control passenger vehicle             | MB                    | M1                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Off-road passenger vehicle                    | MC                    | M1                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Light omnibus                                 | MD                    | M2                    |                          |                        |\n| up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and up to 12 seats     | MD1                   |                       | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| up to 3.5 tonnes ‘GVM’ and more than 12 seats | MD2                   |                       | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| over 3.5 tonnes and up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’    | MD3                   |                       | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| over 4.5 tonnes and up to 5 tonnes ‘GVM’      | MD4                   |                       | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Heavy omnibus                                 | ME                    | M3                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Light goods vehicle                           | NA                    | N1                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Medium goods vehicle                          | NB                    | N2                    |                          |                        |\n| over 3.5 tonnes up to 4.5 tonnes ‘GVM’        | NB1                   |                       | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| over 4.5 tonnes up to 12 tonnes ‘GVM’         | NB2                   |                       | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Heavy goods vehicle                           | NC                    | N3                    | 1 July 1988              | Nil                    |\n| Very light trailer                            | TA                    | O1                    | Not Applicable           |                        |\n| Light trailer                                 | TB                    | O2                    | Not Applicable           |                        |\n| Medium trailer                                | TC                    | O3                    | Not Applicable           |                        |\n| Heavy trailer                                 | TD                    | O4                    | Not Applicable           |                        |\n\n1.  DEFINITIONS\n    1.  Refer to Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005.\n\n1.  REQUIREMENTS FOR GLAZING MATERIAL\n    1.  Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 8.4 all glass used for external or internal glazing shall also comply with the other particular requirements of this Rule.\n    2.  Glazing material in the instrument panel shall not be considered as \"glazing material\" for the purpose of this Rule.\n    3.  Any glass used in windscreens, windows or interior partitions in enclosed LE vehicles, and M‑ and N‑ group vehicles shall be of safety glass complying with one of the standards for glass set out in Section 8.4. Deleted in Package 17.\n    4.  Any glazing material other than glass used in a motor vehicle shall be of a kind that does not shatter.\n2.  MARKING OF GLASS\n    1.  All glass shall carry the indelible mark or marks of the relevant standards, visible when the glass is fitted in the vehicle.\n    2.  The mark or marks shall identify the type of glass and the relevant standard to which the glass conforms.\n    3.  For any windscreen glass having a zone of modified heat treatment, the marking shall indicate the position of any such zone.\n3.  GLASS USED FOR WINDSCREENS\n    1.  Not used\n    2.  Primary Vision Area ‑ The requirements for the primary vision area shall be as specified:\n\n(i) in clauses 8.3.2.1 and 8.3.2.1.1; or\n\n(ii) at the option of the ‘Manufacturer’ and in the case of passenger car windscreens only, clause 8.3.2.2.\n\n1.  The primary vision area shall include the area of the windscreen between a plane tangential to the top of the ‘95th Percentile Eye Ellipses’, inclined 10 degrees above the horizontal measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, to a plane tangential to the bottom of the ‘95th Percentile Eye Ellipses’, which includes a horizontal line at ground level transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and 11 m from the rearmost eye position on the ‘95th Percentile Eye Ellipses’, measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and between a vertical plane tangential to the outboard of the ‘95th Percentile Eye Ellipses’ and inclined 15 degrees to the right, to a vertical plane tangential to the inboard of the ‘95th Percentile Eye Ellipses’ and inclined 56 degrees to the left.\n    1.  Notwithstanding the requirements of clause 8.3.2.1 it shall be permissible to exclude from the primary vision area, any area of glass within 65 mm of the upper and lower edges of the glass and 90 mm of the side edges of the glass.\n2.  The primary vision area shall be \"Zone B\" as specified in ECE R 43 \"Safety Glazing\"; Annex 12 ‑ \"Procedure for Determining Test Areas on Passenger Car Windscreens in Relation to the \"V\" Points\" ‑‑paragraph 2.3, and referenced in Annex 3 ‑\"General Test Conditions\" ‑ paragraph 9.1.2.2.\n    1.  There shall be not less than 75 per cent optical transmission below the plane defining the upper boundary of the primary vision area.\n    2.  There shall be not less than 75 per cent optical transmission within \"Zone B\" as specified in clause 8.3.2.2.\n\n1.  Modified Zone For Heat‑treated Windscreens\n    1.  For windscreens, heat‑treated safety glass shall have a zone of modified heat‑treatment which fractures into larger pieces than the remainder of the glass, thus affording a better view through the zone. The area of the zone shall be not less than an ellipse, with a horizontal major axis, and a minor axis in a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and passing through a point midway between the rearmost eye positions of the ‘95th Percentile Eye Ellipses’.\n    2.  The length of the major axis shall be at least 400 mm. The minor axis shall extend at least between planes tangential to, the top and bottom of the ‘95th Percentile Eye Ellipses’ and inclined at 3 degrees downwards from the horizontal.\n    3.  Where the location of the zone as determined by clauses 8.3.3.1 and 8.3.3.2 would cause the outline of the zone to encroach within 100 mm of the edge of the glass, the zone size should be maintained but moved bodily so that the minimum distance of 100 mm is maintained.\n2.  Laminated Safety Glass for Windscreens.\n\nWhen laminated glass is used for windscreens it shall be of a quality that is suitable for windscreens and shall comply with the optical requirement specified in clause 8.3.2.3 of this Rule.\n\n1.  SPECIFICATIONS FOR GLAZING MATERIAL\n    1.  All material used for external or internal vehicle glazing shall have properties at least equivalent to the requirements of one or more of the following:\n        1.  Australian Standard AS 2080 1977 \"Safety Glass for Vehicles\"; or AS 2080 1983 \"Safety Glass for Land Vehicles\" up to and including amendment No. 1.\n        2.  Economic Commission for Europe R 43/00 \"Uniform Provisions concerning Approval of Safety Glazing and Glazing Materials for Installation on Power Driven Vehicles and their Trailers\".\n        3.  British Standards Institution BS AU178:1980 \"Road Vehicle Safety Glass\".\n        4.  Japanese Industrial Standard JIS R 3211 1979; JIS R 3211 1985 \"Safety Glasses for Road Vehicles\".\n        5.  American National Standard ANSI Z26.1 1980 \"Safety Code for Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles Operating on Land Highways\".\n        6.  New Zealand NZ5443 1987\n        7.  Other ‘Approved ‘Standard\n\n---\n\n[\\[\\*\\]](#_ftnref1) The category code may also be in the format L1, LA etc.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This 2006 version retains the core purpose (specifying safe glazing material and optical performance) but expands and alters scope in two concrete ways: (1) it explicitly accepts equivalent New Zealand and other ‘‘Approved’’ standards as alternatives to the listed standards (Section 8.4 note and Package 17 comment), broadening the universe of acceptable compliance routes; and (2) it deletes a former clause (8.1.3) that had required safety glass for windscreens, windows and interior partitions in certain vehicle groups, which reduces a prescriptive requirement for those categories. Both edits change how manufacturers and importers can comply (more pathways, less prescriptive wording) and therefore amount to a meaningful expansion and modification of the original regulatory scope rather than a mere editorial update."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to other instruments and standards (ADR Definitions instrument; UNECE R43; AS, BS, JIS, ANSI, NZ standards)","Technical geometric definitions (95th Percentile Eye Ellipses, multiple angular measurements and plane tangents)","Multiple conditional options (manufacturer option for windscreen test, alternative standards via ‘Approved Standards’)","Detailed, numeric optical requirements (75% optical transmission in defined zones)","Specific dimensional rules for modified heat‑treatment zones with minimum axis lengths and edge clearances","Applicability table mapping many vehicle categories to commencement dates and prior rules","Deleted provisions noted (Package 17 deletion of clause 8.1.3) creating historical/interpretive complexity","Marking and traceability requirements (indelible marks visible when fitted)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- It sets national technical rules for the material used in vehicle glazing (windscreens, side windows, internal partitions) so that the glass or other glazing: provides adequate visibility, does not shatter into dangerous fragments, and reduces the chance of serious injury on contact. (See Purpose and Section 8.1.)\n\n- It specifies which vehicle categories the rule applies to (passenger cars, motorcycles, light and heavy goods vehicles, trailers, etc.) and the dates from which the rule applies for those categories. (Applicability table.)\n\n- It requires glazing to meet particular material standards and to carry indelible marks that identify the type of glass and the standard it meets. (Marking: Section 8.2; Standards list: Section 8.4.)\n\n- It sets optical performance requirements for windscreens: defines a \"primary vision area\" (using the 95th Percentile Eye Ellipses geometry) and requires at least 75% optical transmission in that area. Manufacturers of passenger cars have a limited alternative test option for the primary vision area. (Windscreen rules: Section 8.3.)\n\n- For heat‑treated windscreens, it requires a modified zone that fractures into larger pieces to improve view through that zone; the minimum dimensions and siting of that zone are specified. (Section 8.3.3.)\n\n- It lists acceptable international and national standards that glazing may comply with (for example, Australian Standard AS 2080, UNECE R43, British BS AU178, Japanese JIS R3211, American ANSI Z26.1, New Zealand NZ5443, and other \"Approved Standards\"). (Section 8.4.)\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Vehicle manufacturers and designers: must specify and fit glazing that meets the performance, marking and optical requirements when certifying vehicles.\n- Importers and distributors: must supply vehicles/glazing that conform to the listed standards or an approved alternative.\n- Glass manufacturers and windscreen repair/replace businesses: must produce, mark and supply glazing that meets the named standards and the optical/modified-zone requirements.\n- Vehicle owners/repairers: indirectly affected because replacement glazing and repair services must meet these rules to keep vehicles road‑legal.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical implications)**\n\n- The stated purpose is to protect visibility and reduce injury risk from broken glazing by prescribing material performance and optical criteria. (Purpose section.)\n\n- Costs and who pays: compliance costs (material specification, testing, marking and record-keeping) will be borne primarily by manufacturers, importers and glazing suppliers. Vehicle purchasers may indirectly pay through prices. Bodies that approve or audit compliance (regulator, testing bodies) incur administrative and enforcement costs.\n\n- Choice and market effects: listing multiple international standards and an \"Approved Standards\" option gives manufacturers flexibility to use equivalent foreign standards (reduces cost/friction for imports and alternative suppliers). That flexibility can lower compliance costs but increases the regulator’s role in determining equivalence.\n\n- Behaviour and design effects: manufacturers must design windscreen geometry and heat‑treated zones to meet the optical and modified‑zone specifications (the rules contain geometric definitions tied to \"95th Percentile Eye Ellipses\"). That imposes technical design constraints and testing obligations.\n\n- Compliance and discretion: the inclusion of an unspecified \"Approved Standards\" route creates a discretionary approval process (the instrument does not list how approvals are granted here), which centralises a decision about equivalence with the regulator or delegated authority.\n\n- Implementation risk and complexity: the rule cross‑references other instruments and technical standards (ADR definitions, UNECE R43, national standards), which requires familiarity with several external documents to interpret and apply the ADR correctly.\n\n**Notable mechanical changes in this version**\n\n- This instrument repeals prior instruments of the same ADR name and consolidates the current rule (see Repeal: sections 0.3.1–0.3.2).\n\n- Package 17 changes are noted in the text: the rule now explicitly allows the equivalent New Zealand standard and other \"Approved\" standards and removes a prior clause (8.1.3) that previously required safety glass for windscreens/windows/interior partitions in certain vehicle groups. Those edits broaden the set of acceptable standards and alter a prior prescriptive requirement for some vehicle categories.\n\n(Primary source citations: name/commencement/repeal provisions; Sections 8.1–8.4 for substantive requirements.)"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original scope as a technical safety standard for vehicle glazing materials. The 'Package 17' amendments mentioned in the text (deleting clause 8.1.3 and allowing equivalent New Zealand standards) represent minor technical updates rather than scope expansion. The standard remains focused on its core purpose: specifying safety requirements for glass in motor vehicles."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to external standards (7 different international/national standards listed in Section 8.4)","Technical geometric definitions for 'primary vision area' involving 95th percentile eye ellipses, angled planes, and specific measurements (65mm, 90mm, 400mm, 100mm, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 56 degrees)","Conditional applicability table with 19 vehicle categories and varying commencement dates","Reference to external definition document (ADR Definitions and Vehicle Categories 2005) rather than self-contained definitions","Nested conditional logic in Section 8.3.2 offering manufacturers two alternative methods for defining primary vision area","Deleted provisions (clause 8.1.3) referenced in text indicating version control complexity","Specific optical transmission requirements (75%) with conditional application depending on which vision area definition is used"],"plain_english_summary":"This law requires all vehicle glass and transparent materials to be safety glass or approved non‑shattering plastics, so windscreens, windows and interior glazing won’t form dangerous shards and maintain driver visibility. It affects vehicle manufacturers and glass suppliers (who must use compliant products and mark them) and benefits owners by reducing cut injuries and preserving sightlines in crashes. Meeting recognised domestic or international standards is required to prove compliance."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-8-00-safety-glazing-material-2006","history":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-8-00-safety-glazing-material-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-8-00-safety-glazing-material-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-8-00-safety-glazing-material-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-8-00-safety-glazing-material-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/vehicle-standard-australian-design-rule-8-00-safety-glazing-material-2006/documents"}}