Road Vehicle Systems Standards: Secure Storage, Safety Glazing, and Data Longevity

In the fast-evolving world of road vehicle systems, international standards are more than just regulatory checkboxes—they are foundational pillars for safety, data longevity, security, and future scalability. Whether you are designing vehicles, archiving audio data, protecting sensitive information, or specifying materials for vehicle glazing, the right standards guide every critical step. In this comprehensive overview, we explore four key international standards shaping today’s automotive and associated technology sectors, showing why compliance is indispensable for any forward-looking business.

Overview / Introduction

Modern road vehicle systems interconnect physical engineering, digital information management, and robust safety protocols. With increasing integration of IT, data storage, and advanced materials, organizations face heightened demands for secure data retention, resilient system interoperability, and passenger safety.

International standards—developed by bodies such as IEC and ISO—form a globally agreed knowledge base. These standards facilitate uniform practices, interoperability, efficiency, and most importantly, consumer safety. Whether you're an automotive manufacturer, a data archivist, an IT professional, or a glazing supplier, staying compliant is a business imperative.

In this article you will learn:

• The fundamentals and latest requirements of four major international road vehicle system standards
• How each standard enhances productivity, security, and scalability
• Concrete business benefits and risks of (non-)compliance
• Practical steps for smooth implementation

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC 62702-1-1:2016 - Ensuring Longevity in Audio Data Archive Systems

Audio archive system - Part 1-1: DVD disk and data migration for long term audio data storage

As vehicle infotainment, telematics, and legal recording functionalities evolve, organizations face the challenge of securely archiving and migrating audio records over decades. IEC 62702-1-1:2016 provides the protocols for guaranteeing the integrity and usability of audio data stored on writable DVDs, which are critical in legal, entertainment, and research applications.

What the Standard Covers

IEC 62702-1-1:2016 establishes:

• Methods for data-quality assurance of writable DVD disks (DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM)
• Guidelines for data migration to prevent obsolescence and degradation
• Test conditions, evaluation metrics, and reporting protocols for long-term audio data storage
• Requirements for storage, handling, and cleaning to maximize disk life

Key Requirements & Specifications

• Defines minimum, repeatable test methods for confirming disk performance
• Mandates periodic performance tests and evaluations (including initial and periodic checks)
• Specifies ambient controlled conditions for storage (e.g., 25°C, 50% RH)
• Uses quantitative metrics like B Life (statistical measure of data survival time)
• Structured disk history recording for migration tracking

Who Needs to Comply

• Vehicle OEMs and suppliers archiving in-vehicle audio (e.g., infotainment, diagnostics)
• Audio record custodians (legal, entertainment, or research)
• IT and data archivists tasked with migration and maintenance
• Any organization relying on DVD-based long-term storage

Practical Business Implications

Implementing IEC 62702-1-1 reduces the risk of unrecoverable data losses, improves data management continuity, and establishes transparent archival practices. It smooths the transition to new storage technologies by defining migration paths and quality benchmarks, key for regulatory compliance and customer trust.

Key highlights:

• Defines statistical methods for estimating disc lifetime and scheduling migrations
• Directs documentation and reporting for traceable audio archiving
• Offers best practices for disk handling, storage, and periodic integrity checks

Access the full standard:View IEC 62702-1-1:2016 on iTeh Standards

ISO 3536:2026 - Comprehensive Vocabulary for Automotive Safety Glazing Materials

Road vehicles — Safety glazing materials — Vocabulary

Safer, lighter, and smarter glazing materials underpin modern vehicle design. Consistent terminology is vital as manufacturers, regulators, and technology integrators across the globe interact. ISO 3536:2026 stands as the global reference for terminology related to safety glazing materials in road vehicles.

What the Standard Covers

ISO 3536:2026 defines:

• Precise terms for safety glazing materials, covering glass, plastics, and composites
• Classifications for glazing treatments and composite structures
• Updated definitions supporting technological innovation (e.g., bullet-resistance, obscuration techniques)

Key Requirements & Specifications

• Exhaustive glossary of terms for use in design, testing, compliance, and marketing
• Enhanced clarity for definitions involving new materials and treatments (e.g., interlayers, toughened/laminated glass)
• Modern additions for advanced safety features and impact-resistant constructions

Who Needs to Comply

• Automotive manufacturers and suppliers
• Regulatory authorities overseeing vehicle safety
• Certification and testing labs
• Material scientists and automotive glazing designers

Practical Business Implications

Adopting this standard avoids costly miscommunication and reduces errors in the specification, procurement, and certification processes. It accelerates technology transfer across markets and ensures all participants are “speaking the same language” in terms of safety, durability, and legal compliance.

Key highlights:

• Updated and expanded definitions covering emerging technologies
• Structured reference for global supply chains and compliance programs
• Supports accurate labeling, marketing, and regulatory submissions

Access the full standard:View ISO 3536:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO/IEC 16963:2017 - Reliable Lifetime Estimation for Optical Data Disks

Information technology - Digitally recorded media for information interchange and storage - Test method for the estimation of lifetime of optical disks for long-term data storage

As the data stored in and generated by road vehicle systems explodes in quantity and value, the need for trusted, science-based estimation of storage media lifetime is central to business continuity and compliance. ISO/IEC 16963:2017 addresses this by specifying accelerated aging test methods to estimate the lifetime and integrity of optical data disks.

What the Standard Covers

ISO/IEC 16963:2017 includes:

• Accelerated testing protocols for DVDs (DVD-R/RW/RAM, +R/+RW), CDs (CD-R/RW), and Blu-ray (BD recordable/rewritable) disks
• Clear methodology for assessing retrievability and data longevity via stress and environmental simulation (temperature, humidity)
• Analytical models (Eyring and Arrhenius methods) to project data life under controlled and harsh storage environments

Key Requirements & Specifications

• Definition and measurement of B Life (statistical measure for survival probability)
• Controlled storage (25°C/50% RH) and harsh storage (30°C/80% RH) conditions
• Test procedures for disk preparation, error acquisition, analysis, and reporting
• Guidance on evaluating new or updated disk types as technologies evolve

Who Needs to Comply

• Automotive IT teams archiving critical vehicle or user data
• Data management and digital asset custodians
• Legal/compliance managers responsible for record retention
• Storage hardware and media suppliers

Practical Business Implications

With more vehicle data-critical for compliance, evidence, or future analytics—being digitized, ISO/IEC 16963 allows organizations to make data-driven decisions about which storage technologies to invest in. It reduces business risk around data loss, ensures predictability in data asset management, and supports strategic migration and procurement.

Key highlights:

• Accelerates identification of suitable optical media for long-term archives
• Gives quantitative estimates for safe storage periods
• Supports modernization and lifecycle management of IT/data archives

Access the full standard:View ISO/IEC 16963:2017 on iTeh Standards

ISO/IEC 20648:2016 - Secure Interoperability for Storage Systems With TLS

Information technology - TLS specification for storage systems

As connected and autonomous vehicle systems proliferate, so too do the risks of unauthorized data access and cyberattacks on in-vehicle and supporting storage systems. ISO/IEC 20648:2016 provides a detailed, internationally recognized framework for implementing Transport Layer Security (TLS) across storage devices—making it an essential pillar for any organization prioritizing digital security and trust.

What the Standard Covers

ISO/IEC 20648:2016 specifies:

• Requirements for implementing TLS (up to v1.2 or later) in storage client/server environments
• Interoperability mandates and detailed TLS option requirements
• Cipher suite recommendations for balancing interoperability and strong encryption
• Guidance on digital certificates, validation chains, and revocation mechanisms

Key Requirements & Specifications

• TLS 1.2 or later is mandatory for storage servers, optional for clients
• Defines required and recommended cipher suites to ensure both security and compatibility
• Mandates certificate management practices (issuance, chain-of-trust, expiry, revocation)
• Compatibility with other standards, such as ISO/IEC 27000 (information security management systems) and IETF RFC standards

Who Needs to Comply

• Tier-1 and Tier-2 automotive suppliers integrating networked storage
• Security architects and IT professionals managing in-vehicle or infrastructure storage
• Solution providers for telematics, cloud storage, and connected vehicle applications
• Anyone involved in planning, acquiring, or operating vehicle data storage devices

Practical Business Implications

With cyber incursions a fact of life for connected systems, failure to implement robust TLS protocols puts entire fleets, business operations, and end-user privacy at risk. ISO/IEC 20648 brings harmonized and rigorously tested security to bear, ensuring all parties—from suppliers to end-users—can trust storage system communications.

Key highlights:

• Harmonizes requirements for secure storage system communications
• Reduces integration friction and vendor lock-in
• Provides proven, up-to-date mitigation strategies against evolving cyberattacks

Access the full standard:View ISO/IEC 20648:2016 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adopting and adhering to these four standards yields wide-ranging benefits:

• Safety: Reduced risk of injury (through effective glazing), data breaches, and data loss
• Productivity: Streamlined processes for archiving, retrieving, and migrating vehicle and operational data
• Security: Defense against modern threats—from storage hacks to unauthorized data extraction
• Scalability: Standards-based approaches speed up integration of new technologies, whether in electric vehicles, autonomous fleets, or smart infrastructures
• Market Access: Meeting international standards facilitates entry into regulated or advanced markets

Risks of non-compliance include:

• Legal penalties due to non-adherence in regulated jurisdictions
• Increased costs due to data loss, re-certification, or reworks
• Loss of customer trust, especially in security- and safety-critical domains
• Difficulty scaling operations or integrating new technological partners

Organizations operating in the road vehicle and connected technology sectors must now treat these standards as baseline requirements, not competitive "nice-to-haves".

Implementation Guidance

Common Approaches

1. Gap Analysis: Audit current systems—evaluate against the requirements of IEC 62702-1-1, ISO 3536, ISO/IEC 16963, and ISO/IEC 20648
2. Cross-functional Teams: Involve IT, engineering, compliance, and supplier management from the outset
3. Vendor Collaboration: Ensure suppliers and integrators are likewise compliant; use standards as procurement requirements
4. Training: Educate staff on new standards, particularly terminology (ISO 3536) and data security protocols (ISO/IEC 20648)
5. Technical Integration: Use the latest updates (e.g., migrate to TLS 1.2+, implement periodic data integrity checks, and archivist-approved migration cycles)

Best Practices

• Data Lifecycle Management: Implement data migration as a continuous risk management cycle, not just an end-of-life process
• Certificate Management: Apply automated mechanisms to issue, renew, and revoke digital certificates for storage security
• Monitoring & Reporting: Regularly assess compliance and integrate results into business reviews
• Documentation: Maintain detailed archive records (disk history files, test records, migration events)
• Continuous Improvement: Stay updated with evolving versions and amendments to standards

Available Resources

• iTeh Standards’ Road Vehicle Systems collection
• Training providers certified in ISO/IEC and IEC standards
• Online communities and standardization body publications (ISO, IEC, IETF)

Conclusion / Next Steps

Road vehicle systems increasingly bridge the physical, digital, and regulatory worlds. Whether it is the integrity of archived audio, the clarity and safety of glazing materials, the reliability of long-term data storage, or the confidentiality of your storage infrastructure, these four standards—IEC 62702-1-1:2016, ISO 3536:2026, ISO/IEC 16963:2017, and ISO/IEC 20648:2016—equip your organization to innovate, scale, and protect what matters most.

Key takeaways:

• Standards redefine best practices—ensuring safety, security, and longevity
• Technical and regulatory confidence propel business growth in ever-evolving automotive ecosystems
• Proactive compliance slashes costs, legal risk, and complexity

Recommended Actions

• Review each standard in full and assess gaps in your systems
• Engage with iTeh Standards for the latest documents and updates
• Incorporate requirements into procurement, engineering, and data strategies
• Train staff and partners for a compliant, future-ready operation

Solidify your position in the modern road vehicle ecosystem—explore these standards now to drive safer, smarter, and more secure outcomes.

Reference List of Standards and Links

IEC 62702-1-1:2016 – Audio archive system - Part 1-1: DVD disk and data migration for long term audio data storage
View IEC 62702-1-1:2016 on iTeh Standards

ISO 3536:2026 – Road vehicles — Safety glazing materials — Vocabulary
View ISO 3536:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO/IEC 16963:2017 – Information technology - Digitally recorded media for information interchange and storage - Test method for the estimation of lifetime of optical disks for long-term data storage
View ISO/IEC 16963:2017 on iTeh Standards

ISO/IEC 20648:2016 – Information technology - TLS specification for storage systems
View ISO/IEC 20648:2016 on iTeh Standards