UN R150 — 01 series of amendments

The Introduction is now marked “(for information)”; three earlier paragraphs are deleted and a new one covers the 01 series. It says that the new series aims, to the current maximum possible extent, to be technologically neutral, performance based and able to be tested objectively. The scope list now names “Retro-reflective Marking Materials of the Classes C, D, E and F, D/E” and uses the abbreviations HLV, SMV and AWT. New paragraph 2.3.2.1. defines the “Coefficient of luminous intensity RI”; a NOTE says that RI is often referred to as CIL. Paragraph 2.3.2.2. now defines the “Specific coefficient of retro-reflection (symbol RA)” instead of the “Coefficient of retro-reflection (symbol R')”. The luminance factor βv,R now means the ratio of the tristimulus value Y of the sample and the tristimulus value of the perfect diffuser Yo.

In Table 1, the minimum “a” (values in mm) is now 5 for retro-reflectors and 8 for retro-reflective marking materials, instead of 4 and 12. Table 1 now lists “Advance Warning Triangle (Type 1)” with symbol WT1 and “Advance Warning Triangle (Type 2)” with symbol WT2. Table 2 now has a column for the 01 series of amendments, with change index 1 for the devices listed. Paragraph 3.3.2.2. now asks for the four to six-digit sequential number being part of the approval number, placed close to the approval mark. In Annex 1, item 9 is now “Remarks:” and item 10 is now “Position of the approval mark or Unique Identifier (UI)”.

Paragraph 5.1.4. is now headed “Minimum values for the RI values of retro-reflection” instead of “Minimum values for the CIL values of retro-reflection”. The fourth group of two samples now takes the resistance to weathering test (Part 6 of Annex 6), not the colour-fastness test (Annex 21). The separate chronological order of tests for Classes IA and IB is deleted; one order of tests now covers Classes IA, IB, IIIA and IIIB. Angles now use β1 and β2, for example “(β1 = ±10°, β2 = 0°)” instead of “(V = ±10°, H = 0°)”.

Paragraph 5.2. now gives the technical requirements concerning retro-reflective marking materials and plates. Under new paragraph 5.2.5.1.1., after the weathering test of Part 6 of Annex 6, markings are measured as described in Part 1 of Annex 4. The coefficient of retro-reflection must be at least 80 per cent as indicated in Table 6 for white, yellow and red materials (α=0.33°, β2=5°, β1=0°). After weathering, the maximum coefficient of retro-reflection of Classes D and E marking materials must not exceed Table 7, at α=0.33°, β2=5°, β1=0° (paragraph 5.2.5.2.1.). The order of tests in paragraph 5.2.4. now covers HLV plates of Classes 1 to 5, instead of Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Former paragraph 5.5.6.1., on advertising that “has to be decent”, is deleted, as is the footnote on national authorities prohibiting retro-reflective advertising.

The luminance factor, including the luminance by reflection and fluorescence, is now βv,R ≥ 0.3 for type 1 and βv,R ≥ 0.25 for type 2. Before, it was not less than 30 per cent for type 1 and not less than 25 per cent for type 2. Under the requirements after weathering in new paragraph 5.3.5.4., the colour co-ordinates of the fluorescent material must comply with paragraph 5.3.5.2.2. The luminance factor must comply with paragraph 5.3.5.2.3. and must not have increased by more than 0.05. The sample must not exhibit any visible damage such as cracks, scaling or peeling of the fluorescent or fluorescent retro-reflecting material. The tests of clearance to ground, mechanical solidity and stability against wind now refer to Annex 9 instead of Annex 20.

The annexes now include “Photometric and colorimetric measurements”, “Environmental Testing”, “Chemical testing” and “Mechanical Testing”, each divided into Parts. References change too, for example “defined in Annex 9” now reads “defined in Part 1 of Annex 7”. The resistance to weathering test is now in Part 6 of Annex 6. In Part 6 of Annex 6, samples are exposed in accordance with EN ISO 4892-2:2013, using the parameters in Table A6-1, for 500 hours. The colour-fastness annexes for Classes IA, IB, IIIA, IIIB and IVA retro-reflective devices and for advance warning triangles (xenon-arc lamp test) are deleted. The text on resistance to corrosion now says that the description of the testing of resistance to corrosion is given in ISO Standard 9227:2017.

New paragraph 6.2. gives transitional provisions for the 01 series of amendments. As from its official date of entry into force, no Contracting Party applying this Regulation may refuse to grant or accept 01 series approvals. 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 type 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 that cannot technically meet new requirements, for vehicles in use.