Car Roof Tents on the Rise – ISO Sets the Safety Benchmark
Car roof tents are booming: whether it’s a weekend trip or a world tour – more and more people sleep on top instead of in the back. What looks like pure freedom needs clear rules for safety and performance, and this is exactly where ISO/TC 83 with the new project ISO/AWI 26466 comes in.
We are developing an international standard for car roof tents – from use as a roof box while driving to safe overnight stays when parked. Experts from Canada, China, France, Germany, the UK and the USA are already on board.
Growing use and safety needs
Car roof tents are becoming a common sight on roads and highways around the world. As more people choose this flexible way of travelling and camping, questions of safety and performance are gaining importance. Car roof tents typically operate in two modes:
a) as a roof container while travelling, and
b) as a tent in static situations.
Working Group
The work on ISO/AWI 26466 is carried out in WG 2 “Camping tents” under ISO/TC 83, led by Convenor Michael Haus.
Global engagement
The project proposal for ISO/AWI 26466 was adopted unanimously. Stakeholders from Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States have already been nominated to actively participate in the development of this International Standard.
Next steps and call for experts
The first meeting of this Working Group took place during the ISO/TC 83 Plenary Week in the first week of June. One of the key tasks will be to refine and further specify the scope of the standard. Experts with relevant knowledge who are interested in contributing are warmly invited to get involved.
Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The project contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular:
Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Standardizing safety aspects of car roof tents can help prevent injuries and protect users’ health by ensuring reliable and safe products.
Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Car roof tents support sustainable tourism practices and offer eco‑friendly accommodation options with minimal impact on urban and rural environments.