UN R148 Supplement 5 (01 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 148 (ECE R148) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of light-signalling devices (lamps) for power-driven vehicles and their trailers.
UN R148 — Supplement 5 to the 01 series of amendments
Supplement 4 → 5
- What changed
- Reversing projectors are added to the scope of the Regulation, and new paragraph 5.12. gives their requirements.
- Paragraph 5.12.1.1. limits the intensity of light within the projection area defined by UN Regulation No. 48, in any mounting position specified by the applicant.
- Outside of the projection area, condition (a) or (b) of paragraph 5.12.1.2. must be fulfilled. Under (b), when the apparent surfaces are arranged as it describes, the projector must be tested together with the reversing lamp.
- Why
- The proposal intends to introduce light-signalling to other road users by patterns projected on the road, for enhanced recognition of the reversing signal.
- The proposal says that complementary updates to UN Regulation No. 148 are required for appropriate device performance permissions and limitations.
- A maximum limit is required to prevent excessive reflections; the 12,000 cd limit of a Category F3 front fog lamp is proposed as the maximum.
Q1What changed34 changes
Reversing projector in the scope and in Tables 1 and 2 (para. 1.)
Paragraph 1. now lists reversing projectors among the light-signalling devices (lamps) to which this Regulation applies. Table 1 adds a row for the reversing projector, with the symbol “RP” and paragraph 5.12. Table 2 adds a change index row for the reversing projector.
Luminous intensity inside and outside the projection area (paras. 5.12., 5.12.1., 5.12.1.1. and 5.12.1.2.)
Within the projection area as defined by the individual specifications of UN Regulation No. 48, the intensity of light emitted must not exceed 1.20∙10⁴ cd. This limit applies when the projector is installed in any mounting position specified by the applicant (para. 5.12.1.1.). Outside of that projection area, one of the conditions (a) or (b) of paragraph 5.12.1.2. must be fulfilled. Under (a), the light emitted directly towards the rear of the vehicle must not exceed 5∙10⁻¹ cd within an angular field from φmin to φmax. Condition (b) applies when the apparent surfaces of the projector and the reversing lamp are arranged as in (i) or (ii). Then the projector must be tested together with the reversing lamp, and the integrated luminous intensity must not exceed the maximum required in Table 10.
Colour and other requirements of the reversing projector (paras. 5.12.2. to 5.12.7.)
The colour of light emitted by the reversing projector must be white (para. 5.12.7.). There is no requirement for minimum luminous intensity within the angles of geometric visibility (para. 5.12.2.). There is also no requirement for the minimum or maximum area of apparent surface (para. 5.12.3.), and there are no failure provisions (para. 5.12.6.). Measurement has no additional requirement (para. 5.12.4.), and there are no additional specific requirements (para. 5.12.5.).
Application documents and Annex 1 entries for the reversing projector (para. 3.1.2.9. and Annex 1)
New paragraph 3.1.2.9. covers a reversing projector tested together with the reversing lamp according to paragraph 5.12.1.2.(b). In that case, the application must include drawings of the relative position of the projector and the lamp, and the associated measurement report. Annex 1 adds “Reversing projector” to the list of lamps. New Annex 1 item 9.1.7.1. asks whether the reversing projector was tested together with the reversing lamp (yes/no). New item 9.1.7.2. asks whether the luminous intensity of the reversing projector is intended to be reduced to not exceed 8.00∙10³ cd (yes/no).
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Expert from the International Automotive Lighting and Light-Signalling Expert Group (GTB)
- Working party
- GRE, 92nd session (April 2025)
Reasons
The proposal intends to introduce light-signalling to other road users in the form of patterns projected on the road, through the new light-signalling function “Reversing projection”. The reversing projection is an intentional projection onto the road surface for enhanced recognition of the reversing signal.
Sources (2)
“This proposal intends to introduce the possibility of light-signalling, in form of projection of patterns on the road, for other road users through new light-signalling function “Reversing projection”.”
“The reversing projection is an intentional projection onto the road surface for proving enhanced recognition of the reversing signal.”
Complementary updates to UN Regulation No. 148 are required for appropriate device performance permissions and limitations. The proposal does not intend to change any existing requirements of reversing lamps, as their performance is already known and regulated.
Sources (2)
“Complementary updates to UN Regulation No. 148 are also required, to ensure appropriate device performance permissions and limitations.”
“It is not intended to change any existing requirements of reversing lamps, as their performance is already known and regulated.”
Higher intensity of light on the road surface allows better recognition of a projected pattern, but a maximum limit is required to prevent excessive reflections. To avoid unique limits, the known 12,000 cd limit of a Category F3 front fog lamp is proposed as the maximum for reversing projection.
Sources (2)
“Higher intensity of light on the road surface allows better recognition of a projected pattern. However, a maximum limit is required to prevent excessive reflections.”
“To avoid creating unique limits, the existing limit of 12,000 cd for a front fog lamp of Category F3 is proposed as a maximum limit for reversing projection, as this is an already known value.”
The reversing projector may be permitted to be visible to other road users if its installation complies with paragraph 5.7.2., single lamps. In this case, the projector is tested in combination with the related light-signalling device, as suggested in paragraph 5.12.1.2.(b). This is to make sure that the requirements of the corresponding lamp are met. Outside the projection zone, the intensity is limited by the maximum intensity of the related device when both it and the projector are switched ON.
Sources (3)
“Alternatively, it may be permitted for the reversing projector to be visible to other road users if its installation complies with the requirements of paragraph 5.7.2., single lamps.”
“In this case, to ensure the compliance with the requirements of the corresponding lamp, the projector shall be tested in combination with the related light-signalling device as suggested in paragraph 5.12.1.2. (b).”
“Outside of the projection zone, the intensity is limited by the maximum intensity of the related light-signalling device when both the related light-signalling device and projector are switched ON.”
Document trail
- 2025-02RevisedECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2024/20/Rev.1Revised GTB proposal on reversing projections
- —Amended in sessionGRE-92-32Amendments to the reversing projection proposal
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/92GRE session report, para. 23
- 2025-08Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2025/112Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- 2025-11WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1188Adopted at the 197th session (session report, para. 110)
- 2026-06-04In forceC.N.230.2026.TREATIES-XI.B.16.148UN depositary notification
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- Check that the mounting position of each reversing projector on your vehicle is one specified by the applicant (para. 5.12.1.1.).
Component supplier
- Keep the intensity within the projection area at or below the paragraph 5.12.1.1. limit in every mounting position you specify.
- Outside of the projection area, meet condition (a) or condition (b) of paragraph 5.12.1.2.
- If the apparent surfaces are arranged as in paragraph 5.12.1.2.(b), have the projector tested together with the reversing lamp.
- If tested with the reversing lamp under 5.12.1.2.(b), add relative-position drawings and the measurement report to the application (3.1.2.9.).
- Make sure that the light emitted by the reversing projector is white (para. 5.12.7.).
Technical service / Approval authority
- Under paragraph 5.12.1.2.(b), test the projector together with the reversing lamp and check the integrated intensity against Table 10.
- Under paragraph 5.12.1.2.(a), measure light emitted directly towards the rear of the vehicle within the φmin to φmax angular field.
- Be ready to give the information for new Annex 1 items 9.1.7.1. and 9.1.7.2. of the communication form.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.