UN R149 Base text (01 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 149 (ECE R149) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of road illumination devices (lamps) and systems for power-driven vehicles.
UN R149 — 01 series of amendments
Changes from 00 series of amendments (supplement 5)
- What changed
- Passing-beam requirements in paragraph 5.2. now cover Class C and V headlamps (symbols “C” and “V”), instead of Class A, B and D (GDL).
- The list of devices to which this Regulation applies now includes Adaptive Driving-Beam (ADB) for vehicles of category L3.
- As from 1 September 2026, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation need not accept approvals to the preceding series first issued after 1 September 2026.
- Why
- The proposal aimed to increase the clarity of the text and to introduce performance-based requirements, by completely rewriting the whole Regulation.
- The ADB amendments were aimed at allowing vehicles of category L3 to be equipped with Adaptive Driving-Beams (ADB). UN Regulation No. 48 already permits this as adaptive main-beam for vehicles of categories M and N.
- The Driver Assistance Projection proposal aimed to allow such projections on the road ahead of the vehicle, as part of the Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB).
Q1What changed1376 changes
Introduction, different types and the term “Main mode”
The Introduction now says that the 01 series of amendments deals with the identified amendments and clarifications to this Regulation. Their goal is to be technologically neutral, performance based and able to be tested objectively, to the current maximum possible extent. Under paragraph 2.2.6., for AFS the change of mode(s) and/or class(es) does not constitute a change of type. Under paragraph 2.2.7., the use of LED substitute light source(s) does not constitute a change of type, however, paragraph 4.6.1. applies. New paragraph 2.3. defines “Main mode” for a headlamp as the principal passing-beam if present, otherwise front fog lamp if present, otherwise driving-beam. For AFS, the “Main mode” is the passing-beam mode which draws the highest total wattage.
Table 1 symbols, Table 2 change index and approval marking
Table 1, “List of symbols/combinations”, now has a column “Symbol if device is part of a matched pair”. It now lists Class V and Class C passing-beam headlamps, the Class RA auxiliary driving-beam and ADB for vehicles of category L3. Passing-beam headlamps of Class A and Class B, and headlamps of Class D and Class ES, are no longer listed. Table 2 has a new 01 series column; a dash “-” means that the lamp (function) is not available for approvals to that series. Under new paragraph 3.3.5.3., a detachable outer lens and the main body must both bear the Unique Identifier or the approval marking. For a headlamp, it must now also be specified whether the left and the right headlamps are operating as matched pair.
Adaptive driving-beam (ADB) for vehicles of category L3 and Driver Assistance Projection
The list of devices to which this Regulation applies now includes Adaptive Driving-Beam (ADB) for vehicles of category L3. Notwithstanding paragraph 5.3.1.1., ADB for vehicles of category L3 must only comply with the requirements set out in paragraph 5.3.3. and its subparagraphs. In case of ADB for vehicles of category L3, each installation unit must provide at least 1.62∙10⁴ cd at the point HV. Under paragraph 5.3.3.8., the Driver Assistance Projection of UN Regulation No. 48, paragraph 6.22.9.3.2., may be part of the driving-beam light distribution within a zone. This zone is limited vertically to - 1.2° and below and horizontally to ± 25°. The colour of the light emitted for Driver Assistance Projection must be white.
Matched pairs, light sources and testing conditions
New paragraph 4.18. allows a matched pair for front fog lamps and for passing-beams of class C, V, AS, BS, CS or DS. It also allows a matched pair for driving-beams of class A, B, BS, CS, DS or ADB. For principal passing-beams, paragraph 4.5.3.2. allows Table 3a (light source flux) or Table 3b (zone I and II flux, when aimed according to Annex 5). Under paragraph 4.6.2., unless otherwise specified, the voltage supplied at the lamp is 6.3 V, 13.2 V or 28.0 V (6, 12 or 24 Volt-Systems). Tests for compliance of the luminous intensities and colorimetric characteristics must be carried out according to new Annex 10, “Testing procedures with respect to light sources”. The paragraph 4.5.2.5. report now covers lamps with non-replaceable filament light sources, not only cornering lamps, and cites IEC 60809, Edition 4.
Passing-beam Classes C and V, driving-beams, aiming and cornering lamps
Paragraph 5.2. now gives passing-beam requirements for Class C and V headlamps (symbols “C” and “V”), instead of Class A, B and D (GDL). The driving-beam requirements of paragraph 5.1. now cover Class RA and ADB, and no longer Class D (GDL) and Class ES (GDL). In Table 5, the Class RA (Auxiliary) driving-beam has a minimum Imax of 1.00∙10⁴ cd. Headlamps and front fog lamps are aimed according to Annex 5, now including the allowed specific tolerances of paragraph 4. If a device so aimed does not meet its requirements in paragraphs 5. or 6.2., its alignment may be changed within these tolerances. For a left side cornering lamp, the light intensity at the specified measuring points and zones must be as in new Table 18.
Conformity of Production
The Regulation has a new paragraph 6., “Conformity of Production”. Under paragraph 6.1.7., testing with LED substitute light sources is exempted from conformity of production control. In paragraph 6.1.9.2., the check of non-replaceable filament light sources in case of doubt now refers to IEC 60809, Edition 4, instead of Edition 3.
Transitional provisions
New paragraph 7.2. gives transitional provisions for the 01 series of amendments. Contracting Parties applying this Regulation must not refuse to grant or accept 01 series approvals from the series' official date of entry into force. As from 1 September 2026, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation need not accept approvals to the preceding series first issued after 1 September 2026. They must continue to accept approvals to the preceding series first issued before 1 September 2026. Approvals to any previous series must continue to be granted and accepted for replacement devices for vehicles in use that cannot technically meet new requirements. Contracting Parties applying this Regulation must not refuse to grant type approvals according to any preceding series of amendments or extensions thereof.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Informal Working Group on Simplification of Lighting and Light-Signalling Regulations; expert from the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (ADB for vehicles of category L3); expert from the International Automotive Lighting and Light Signalling Expert Group (Driver Assistance Projection)
- Working party
- GRE, 83rd and 85th sessions (October 2020 and October 2021)
Reasons
The objective of the proposal was a new series of amendments that increases the clarity of the text and introduces performance-based requirements. This was achieved by completely rewriting the whole UN Regulation as a fully consolidated “clean” text to improve its readability.
Sources (2)
“The objective of this proposal is to introduce a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149, thus increasing the clarity of the text and introducing performance-based requirements.”
“This objective has been achieved by completely rewriting the whole UN Regulation and presenting it as a fully consolidated “clean” text to improve its readability.”
The new series deals with the identified amendments and clarifications to this Regulation. The goal is to be technologically neutral, performance based and able to be tested objectively, to the current maximum possible extent. Adaptation to the technical progress was also included, and requirements were made future proof, whenever possible.
Sources (2)
“this new series of amendments deals with the identified amendments and clarifications to this Regulation in order to achieve, to the current maximum possible extent, the goal of being technologically neutral, performance based and able to be tested objectively.”
“Finally, during the process, adaptation to the technical progress was included and requirements were made future proof, whenever possible.”
The ADB amendments were aimed at allowing vehicles of category L3 to be equipped with Adaptive Driving-Beams (ADB). Adapting the driving-beam to preceding and oncoming traffic will improve forward visibility of motorcycle riders, without causing discomfort, distraction or glare to other road users. A dedicated new Class of adaptive driving-beam for vehicles of category L3 (symbol “ADB”) is subject to the full photometric requirements. The aim is to prevent independent installation on a motorcycle of a lighting unit that may perform below minimum requirements when the other side compensates.
Sources (4)
“The proposal for amending UN Regulations Nos. 53 and 149 is aimed at allowing vehicles of category L3 to be equipped with Adaptive Driving-Beams (ADB)”
“The adaptation of the driving-beam to the preceding and oncoming traffic will improve the forward visibility of motorcycle riders, without causing discomfort, distraction or glare to other road users.”
“allowing a lighting unit in one side of the vehicle to perform below the minimum requirements as long as it compensated by the other side. The independent installation of such lighting unit on a motorcycle should be prevented.”
“For that purpose, this proposal introduces a dedicated new Class of adaptive driving-beam for vehicles of category L3 in UN Regulation No. 149 (symbol “ADB”), subject to the full photometric requirements laid down in Table 15.”
The proposal aimed to allow driver assistance projections, on the road ahead of the vehicle, as part of the Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB). The reference to UN Regulation No. 48 was added to refer specifically to the function “Driver Assistance Projections” as defined and regulated by that Regulation. Compared with ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/4/Rev.1, the limits of the projection area were changed to 1.2° (from 1.0°). This was to take into account concerns about the possible visibility of the projected symbols by other road users, with consequent risk of distraction.
Sources (4)
“with the aim to allow driver assistance projections, on the road ahead of the vehicle, as part of the Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)”
“The reference to UN Regulation No. 48 was added, to specifically refer to the function “Driver Assistance Projections” as defined and regulated by the said Regulation.”
“The following justifications refer to the changes that have been introduced to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/4/Rev.1.”
“The limits of the projection area have been changed to 1.2° (from 1.0°) to take into account the concerns raised by some CPs about the possible visibility from other road users of the projected symbols with consequent risk of distraction.”
Proposer's reason (informal document GRE-85-09)
The IEC standard 60809 was updated from Edition 3 to Edition 4, and its Table 1 now refers to UN Regulation No. 149. In the 01 series, all functions now allow the use of non-replaceable filament light sources. Following this approach, Table 1 of the standard was extended to functions such as passing beam and driving beam headlamps. Consequently, it was proposed to delete the word “cornering” and to refer to Edition 4 of IEC 60809.
Submitted by Experts from IEC. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/85, para. 12.
Sources (5)
“Part B: The IEC standard 60809 was updated in April 2021 from Edition 3 to Edition 4.”
“The Table 1 in Ed 4 was updated to now refer to both the “old” device regulations and also the “new” Road Illumination Device Regulation 149.”
“following the approach of R149.01, where now all functions allow the use of non-replaceable filament light sources”
“the Table 1 was extended to cover also the “missing” functions such as passing beam and driving beam headlamps”
“Consequently, it is appropriate to delete the word “cornering” and to refer to the Edition 4 of IEC 60809 in the R149.01.”
Document trail
- 2020-07ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2020/13/Rev.1Proposal by the expert from IMMA to allow ADB on vehicles of category L3
- —Amended in sessionGRE-83-51Document amending GRE/2020/13/Rev.1, submitted by the experts from IMMA
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/83Session report, para. 36: adopted, with submission postponed pending the 01 series
- 2021-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/18Proposal by the expert from GTB on Driver Assistance Projection
- 2021-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/14Proposal for a new series 01 of amendments by IWG SLR
- —Amended in sessionGRE-85-09Proposal by the experts from IEC for updating the reference to IEC 60809
- —Amended in sessionGRE-85-14Correction of errors in the proposal for the 01 series of amendments
- —Amended in sessionGRE-85-33Changes to the GTB proposal on Driver Assistance Projection
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/85Session report, paras. 12 and 31: adopted as amended by GRE-85-09, GRE-85-14 and GRE-85-33
- 2022-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/93Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- —Amended in sessionWP.29-187-05Corrections presented by the Chair of GRE and agreed by WP.29
- 2022-06WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1166Adopted at the 187th session (session report, para. 182)
- 2023-01-04In forceC.N.502.2022.TREATIES-XI.B.16.149UN depositary notification
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- No direct action for this role.
Component supplier
- Plan approvals to the 01 series; preceding-series approvals first issued after 1 September 2026 need not be accepted.
- Test Class C and Class V passing-beam headlamps against Table 6 of paragraph 5.2.
- For lamps with non-replaceable filament light sources, annex a report showing compliance with IEC 60809, Edition 4 (paragraph 4.5.2.5.).
Technical service / Approval authority
- Be ready to test Class C and Class V passing-beams against Table 6 (paragraph 5.2.).
- Notwithstanding paragraph 5.3.1.1., check ADB for vehicles of category L3 only against paragraph 5.3.3. and its subparagraphs.
- For Driver Assistance Projection, check that it stays within the zone of paragraph 5.3.3.8. and that its light is white.
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- 01 series — Supplement 2
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- 00 series — Supplement 11
- 00 series — Supplement 10
- 00 series — Supplement 9
- 00 series — Supplement 8
- 00 series — Supplement 7
- 00 series — Supplement 6
- 00 series — Supplement 5
- 00 series — Supplement 4
- 00 series — Supplement 3