UN R48 Supplement 23 (06 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 48 (ECE R48) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices.
UN R48 — Supplement 23 to the 06 series of amendments
Supplement 22 → 23
- What changed
- Paragraphs 5.27.1. and 5.27.2. now also do not apply to devices which include only light source(s) approved according to UN Regulation No. 128 (para. 5.27.3.).
- Paragraph 6.5.7. now says that all direction-indicator lamps on one side are switched ON and OFF “automatically as defined by applicable UN Regulations and/or by means of one control”.
- Paragraph 6.5.3.1.(a) adds the words “per side” to its optional additional category 5 device.
- Why
- The lifetime of LED light sources does not depend on voltage as strongly as the lifetime of filament light sources. The proposal makes clear that LEDs are excluded from the voltage requirements of paragraph 5.27.
- Driver assistance systems of UN Regulation No. 171 may activate direction-indicator lamps on their own. The existing wording of paragraph 6.5.7. may be interpreted as requiring manual control of all direction-indicator lamps.
- The expert from the Republic of Korea proposed to clarify the provisions on the additional category 5 devices of direction indicators.
Q1What changed6 changes
Devices with only UN Regulation No. 128 light sources (para. 5.27.3.)
Paragraphs 5.27.1. and 5.27.2. do not apply to devices which include only light source(s) approved according to UN Regulation No. 128. These two paragraphs limit the voltage at the terminals of the devices. Before this supplement, paragraph 5.27.3. gave only two cases: an electronic light source control gear, or a variable intensity control being part of the device. These two cases do not change, and the paragraph now gives the three cases as a list.
Automatic switching of direction-indicator lamps (para. 6.5.7.)
All direction-indicator lamps on one side of a vehicle must be switched ON and OFF “automatically as defined by applicable UN Regulations and/or by means of one control”. Before this supplement, the text said only “by means of one control”. The words “on” and “off” in this paragraph are now written in capitals (“ON” and “OFF”). The lamps must flash in phase, as before.
One additional category 5 device per side (para. 6.5.3.1.(a))
Paragraph 6.5.3.1.(a) now says that one additional category 5 device per side is optional. It covers vehicles of categories M2, M3, N2, and N3 of above 6 m and up to including 9 m in length. Before this supplement, the text said “one additional category 5 device is optional” without “per side”.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Experts from the International Automotive Lighting and Light-Signalling Expert Group (GTB); expert from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA); Republic of Korea
- Working party
- GRE, 93rd session (October 2025)
Reasons
The requirements in paragraph 5.27. were introduced to manage the lifetime of filament light sources by limiting the voltage applied to them. The lifetime of filament light sources has a very strong dependence on voltage.
Sources (2)
“The requirements in paragraph 5.27. were introduced to manage the lifetime of filament light sources”
“the lifetime of filament light sources has a very strong (exponential) voltage dependence”
The lifetime of LED light sources has no such strong dependence on voltage, because an electronic circuit operates them. To avoid interpretation uncertainties, the proposal makes clear that LEDs are excluded from the voltage requirements of paragraph 5.27.
Sources (2)
“The lifetime of LED light sources has no such strong dependence on voltage since LEDs are “current driven”, i.e. operated by an electronic circuit”
“In order to avoid interpretation uncertainties, it is proposed to clarify that LEDs are excluded from the voltage requirements of paragraph 5.27.”
Driver assistance systems of UN Regulation No. 171 may activate direction-indicator lamps on their own during manoeuvres such as lane changes. The existing wording of paragraph 6.5.7. may be interpreted as requiring manual control of all direction-indicator lamps. This can restrict such automated features.
Sources (2)
“may autonomously activate direction-indicator lamps during specific manoeuvres such as lane changes”
“may be interpreted as requiring manual control of all direction-indicator lamps, thereby potentially restricting the implementation of such automated features”
The expert from the Republic of Korea proposed to clarify the provisions on the additional category 5 devices of direction indicators.
Source
“The expert from the Republic of Korea proposed clarifying the provisions on the additional category 5 devices of direction indicators (GRE-93-07).”
Proposer's reason (informal document GRE-93-07)
Stating “per side” explicitly avoids potential differences in interpretation among Contracting Parties during the type approval procedure. Other provisions of UN Regulation No. 48 already use “along each side” or “per side”, so the same wording keeps the provisions consistent.
Submitted by Republic of Korea. Working party adoption: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/93, para. 20.
Sources (2)
“By explicitly stating “per side”, potential differences in interpretation among Contracting Parties during the type approval procedure can be avoided”
“Therefore, using the same wording ensures consistency across provisions of the Regulation.”
Document trail
- 2025-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2025/10GTB proposal on the voltage requirements for LEDs
- 2025-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2025/19OICA proposal on the activation of direction-indicator lamps
- —ProposalGRE-93-07Proposal by the Republic of Korea on the additional category 5 devices
- —Amended in sessionGRE-93-10-Rev.1Revised OICA proposal to amend ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2025/19
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/93GRE session report, paras. 12, 13 and 20
- 2026-01Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/30Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- 2026-03WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1190Adopted at the 198th session (session report, para. 114)
- 2026-09-30In forceC.N.409.2026.TREATIES-XI.B.16.48UN depositary notification
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- Find the devices which include only light source(s) approved according to UN Regulation No. 128. Paragraphs 5.27.1. and 5.27.2. do not apply to them (para. 5.27.3.).
- If direction-indicator lamps switch ON and OFF automatically, make sure that this is as defined by applicable UN Regulations.
- Make sure that all direction-indicator lamps on one side flash in phase, also when they switch automatically.
- Update the documents that quote paragraph 6.5.3.1.(a). The paragraph now says “one additional category 5 device per side”.
Component supplier
- Tell the vehicle manufacturer which of your devices include only light source(s) approved according to UN Regulation No. 128.
Technical service / Approval authority
- Do not apply paragraphs 5.27.1. and 5.27.2. to devices with only light source(s) approved according to UN Regulation No. 128.
- Check that automatic switching of the direction-indicator lamps is as defined by applicable UN Regulations.
- Check that all direction-indicator lamps on one side flash in phase, also when they switch ON automatically.
- Check the additional category 5 devices against the words “per side” in paragraph 6.5.3.1.(a).
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.
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