ISO 26021-1-2022 PDF

Full title and description

Road vehicles — End-of-life activation of in-vehicle pyrotechnic devices — Part 1: Application and communication interface. This international standard specifies the application layer and communication interface used to perform safe on-board end-of-life (EoL) activation of in-vehicle pyrotechnic devices (for example restraint system initiators) via the vehicle diagnostic interface, ensuring that no pyrotechnic substances remain in vehicles sent for dismantling, recycling or disposal.

Abstract

This document defines terminology, use cases and technical requirements to support EoL activation of in-vehicle pyrotechnic devices using the vehicle electronic communication interface (diagnostic link). It describes required communication establishment between the pyrotechnic device deployment tool (PDT) and vehicle pyrotechnic control units (PCUs), optional credentials-based authentication/authorization, protection against tampering, and PCU‑specific technical requirements. The standard references the ISO 14229 unified diagnostic services over DoCAN and DoIP and points to Part 3 for data definitions.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 21 February 2022.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 43.040.80 (occupant protection systems / vehicle restraint systems).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2022).
• Number of pages: 88 (main ISO edition).

Scope

Applies to road vehicles where the vehicle diagnostic electronic interface (DLC) is used to perform end-of-life activation of onboard pyrotechnic devices as an alternative to physical removal. The scope covers use-case definitions, requirements for establishing secure communication between a pyrotechnic device deployment tool (PDT) and pyrotechnic control units (PCUs), optional credentials-based authentication/authorization mechanisms, tamper-protection measures for the EoL activation process, and PCU-level technical requirements. PDT-specific test equipment requirements are handled in separate, tool-specific documents.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of EoL activation use cases and related terminology.
• Specification of the application and communication interface for EoL activation (based on diagnostic communication standards such as ISO 14229 over DoCAN/DoIP).
• Requirements for establishing and managing communication between PDT and PCU(s), including message/routine identifiers and data formats (detailed data definitions are in Part 3).
• Optional credentials-based authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure only authorized tools/operators perform EoL activation.
• Protection and anti‑tampering requirements to prevent unauthorized or unsafe activation attempts.
• PCU technical and safety requirements relevant to EoL activation operations.

Typical use and users

Primary users include vehicle manufacturers (OEMs), restraint-system and PCU suppliers (Tier‑1), diagnostic tool and PDT manufacturers, automotive recycling and dismantling facilities, safety and compliance engineers, test laboratories, and regulatory bodies overseeing vehicle end-of-life procedures. The standard is used to design vehicle control units, to implement secure EoL procedures, and to produce compliant deployment tools and test methods.

Related standards

Closely related documents and standards include the ISO 14229 unified diagnostic services series (UDS) and transport layers such as DoCAN and DoIP referenced for diagnostic communication, ISO 26021 other parts (notably Part 3: Data definitions, 2022), and earlier ISO 26021 editions (2008) which have been superseded by the 2022 revisions. The work was developed within ISO/TC 22/SC 31 (vehicle safety and restraint systems).

Keywords

end-of-life activation, EoL activation, pyrotechnic devices, pyrotechnic control unit (PCU), pyrotechnic device deployment tool (PDT), diagnostic link connector (DLC), ISO 14229, UDS, DoCAN, DoIP, tamper protection, automotive recycling, vehicle dismantling.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is ISO 26021-1:2022 — an international standard specifying the application and communication interface for performing end-of-life activation of in-vehicle pyrotechnic devices via the vehicle diagnostic interface.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers use cases, terminology, requirements for establishing communication between a pyrotechnic device deployment tool and vehicle PCUs, optional credentials-based authentication/authorization, tamper‑protection measures, and PCU technical requirements. Data identifiers and routine identifiers are specified in Part 3.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Vehicle OEMs, restraint system and PCU suppliers, diagnostic and PDT manufacturers, recycling and dismantling facilities, test labs, safety engineers and regulators use the standard to implement and verify safe EoL activation procedures.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 26021-1:2022 is the current published edition (published 21 February 2022) and supersedes the withdrawn ISO 26021-1:2008.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 26021 is a multipart series addressing EoL activation of pyrotechnic devices; Part 1 covers application and communication interface, Part 3 covers data definitions (ISO 26021-3:2022), and other parts address complementary topics and tool-specific requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include end-of-life activation, pyrotechnic devices, diagnostic interface, PDT, PCU, authentication, tamper protection, ISO 14229, DoCAN, DoIP.