Core Testing System of 95/28/EC

The standard clearly divides vehicle interior materials into three test categories according to their installation status and structural characteristics, with clear pass criteria for each item.

1. Horizontal Burning Performance Test

This test applies to flat, tiled interior materials that are not easily suspended, which are the most widely used components in vehicle interiors.

Applicable materials: Seats, seat cushions and accessories, interior lining parts, sound insulation materials, thermal insulation materials, and lamp accessories.

Performance requirements:

• The horizontal burning rate shall not exceed 100 mm per minute
• The material is regarded as qualified if the flame extinguishesspontaneously before reaching the specified test scale point

2. Vertical Burning Performance Test

Aimed at suspended flexible materials inside the vehicle, which are more likely to spread flames rapidly in a vertical direction once ignited.

Applicable materials: Vehicle curtains, sun visors, and all similar suspended interior materials.

Performance requirement: The vertical burning rate shall not exceed 100 mm per minute to avoid rapid upward flame spreading.

3. Melt-Drip Combustion Performance Test

Thermoplastic interior materials will produce molten droplets when burned, which is a major hidden danger of secondary fires in vehicle fires. This test focuses on evaluating secondary fire risks.

Applicable materials: Vehicle roof interior materials and roof lining structures.

Performance requirement: The molten droplets generated during combustion must not ignite the underlying cotton wool substrate, effectively preventing secondary combustion caused by dripping high-temperature residues.

Why 95/28/EC Is Still Indispensable for EU Automotive Compliance

Many automotive fire standards focus only on material combustion speed, but 95/28/EC focuses more on actual in-vehicle fire scenarios:

• Distinguish between horizontal paving and vertical suspension materials, fitting real interior installation environments
• Independently assess melt-drip risk, solving the safety blind spot of secondary fire hazards
• Unified and recognized by EU member states, serving as the basic certification threshold for large passenger vehicle interior parts

For automotive interior suppliers and third-party testing laboratories targeting the European market, stable and standardized 95/28/EC testing capability is an essential part of product competitiveness and compliance verification.