Standard UNECE regulations

What does UNECE mean?

Since 2005, all vehicle lighting in the EU must be EU approved. All approved vehicle lighting has a marking with the letter E followed by an approval number inside either a ring or a square, which shows that the product is EU approved. The letter E on the label indicates that the product is approved within the EU and the number indicates in which country the product has been approved. However, the E-label says nothing about what the product is approved for use as, this is what the ECE-label is for.

What does ECE marking mean?

The ECE regulations are a system used to ensure that the rules for lighting are the same throughout the EU. The ECE label shows what a product is approved for use as. A lamp that is UNECE-approved does not mean that it can be used for anything. For example, an UNECE-approved side marker lamp may not be used as a front position light, where only an UNECE-marked position light lamp may sit. For example, ECE R7 indicates that the product is approved for use as a position light.

UNECE-marking, approval number and ECE mark must be stated on the product. Below are some of the most common ECE-labels:

• ECE R3 - Reflexes
• ECE R4 - Number plate lighting
• ECE R6 - Indicators front, rear and sides
• ECE R7 - Position lights (rear and front), tail lights, brake lights and width marker lights
• ECE R19 - Fog lamps
• ECE R23 - Backlight
• ECE R38 - Fog lights
• ECE R65 - Warning lights
• ECE R77 - Parking lights front and rear
• ECE R87 - Warning lights
• ECE R91 - Side marker lights
• ECE R98 - Xenon headlights (auxiliary light)
• ECE R112 - Halogen and LED headlights (auxiliary lights)
• ECE R148 - Marking for Signalling Light (turn signal, reversing light, parking, positioning, side markers et.c)
• ECE R149 - Marking for Head Light (Asymmetrical, Symmetrical, Adaptive headlights et.c)

The new standards (R148 & R149) are mainly to increase the clarity, consolidate and streamline the complexity of requirements for vehicle lighting and light signal devices improve clarity and reduce the number of regulatory standards but do not reduce the detailed technical requirements in the regulations.

The fact that a product lacks an UNECE-marking may be partly due to the light being too bright. The light in some lamps can be so strong that there is a risk of eye damage if you happen to look into it at close range. According to law, non-UNECE-marked lamps may not be used in traffic but are only permitted off-road. The reason why these products are still sold is because they are used on trucks, construction machinery and by motorists in the northern parts of Sweden where the darkness is more noticeable and a better light is needed.

What does EMC marking mean?

EMC stands for Electromagnetic Compatibility. LED lighting mounted on vehicles can in some cases generate interference that affects the vehicle's electrical equipment in a negative way, such as interference in the radio. An EMC label shows that the lighting is tested and limited in how much electromagnetic radiation it emits, but also that it is protected against electromagnetic radiation coming from outside.

EMC – ECE R10

Products bearing the ECE R10 label must have EMC protection and therefore not be able to affect the vehicle's electronics. According to the standard, the lighting should not disturb other equipment, but if a disturbance should still occur, you can install an external EMC filter that solves any problems with disturbance.

If you need an EMC filter, we have these below:

For Ledson ramps with DT contact art no 33309051
For LED headlight lamps artnr 7800340
EMC filter with contacts artnr 3346010