UN R48 Base text (08 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 — 08 series of amendments
Changes from 07 series of amendments (supplement 1)
- What changed
- Dipped-beam headlamps and daytime running lamps get new rules on automatic switching, and on when they may stay OFF or be switched OFF manually.
- New paragraph 5.26.2. lets rear lamp intensity decrease within prescribed limits at 20 km/h or less, or 20 m or less to the following vehicle.
- Paragraph 12.7. adds transitional provisions for the 08 series, with the dates 1 September 2024 and 1 September 2027.
- Why
- The changes were more complex than expected and requested technical modifications to vehicles, so they come as a new 08 series.
- The old paragraph on dipped-beam switching caused misunderstanding and different interpretations.
- The rear lamp change is intended to reduce the discomfort from the glare of increasingly performant rear-signalling lamps seen at short distance.
Q1What changed87 changes
Automatic and manual switching of dipped-beam headlamps (paras. 6.2.7.5. to 6.2.7.8.)
The dipped-beam headlamps must switch ON and OFF automatically relative to the ambient light conditions, according to Annex 13 (para. 6.2.7.5.). Under conditions requiring them ON, new paragraph 6.2.7.5.1. lets them stay OFF, or be switched OFF manually, while a listed condition exists. It must always be possible to switch the dipped-beam headlamps ON manually (para. 6.2.7.6.). The driver must at all times be able to engage the automatic operation (para. 6.2.7.7.). Before, the old paragraph 6.2.7.5. said that it must always be possible to switch them ON and OFF manually. Paragraph 6.2.7.8. adds the condition “in cases where the ambient illuminance is 1,000 lx or more” to automatic switching relative to other factors.
Automatic and manual switching of daytime running lamps (paras. 6.19.7.1. to 6.19.7.4.)
The daytime running lamps must switch ON automatically when the propulsion system can operate and none of three listed conditions exists (para. 6.19.7.1.). These conditions are front fog lamps ON, headlamps manually ON (except for intermittent luminous warnings), and the Annex 13 conditions for automatic dipped-beam switching ON. The lamps must switch OFF automatically when the propulsion system cannot operate, and when one of the same three conditions exists (para. 6.19.7.4.). Under conditions requiring them ON, new paragraph 6.19.7.2. lets them stay OFF, or be switched OFF manually, while at least one of four conditions exists. Before, the old paragraph 6.19.7.2. allowed manual switching OFF, provided the lamps switched ON automatically above 15 km/h or after more than 100 m. They also had to remain ON until deliberately switched OFF again.
Daytime running lamps with other lamps (paras. 6.9.8., 6.10.8. and 6.19.7.5. to 6.19.7.7.)
When the daytime running lamps are switched ON, at least the rear position lamps must now be switched ON (para. 6.19.7.5.). They and the other lamps of paragraph 5.11. may stay OFF while the ambient light outside is above 7,000 lux, measured according to Annex 13. Tell-tale paragraphs 6.9.8. and 6.10.8. now say the requirement does not apply while the daytime running lamps are ON. In paragraph 6.19.7.6., the 40 mm distance is now “between the edges of the apparent surfaces in the direction of the reference axis”. Within 40 mm and without reciprocal incorporation, the electrical connections now “shall be such” that the daytime running lamp switches OFF or dims, instead of “may be such”. If the front direction-indicator lamp is reciprocally incorporated, paragraph 6.19.7.7. now has separate rules for totally and partially common apparent surfaces.
Variable luminous intensity of rear lamps (para. 5.26.)
Paragraph 5.26. now gives lamp categories: rear direction indicator lamps of category 2b, rear position lamps of category R2 and stop lamps of category S2. When combined, grouped or reciprocally incorporated, their intensities must vary together in the same manner and in a similar proportion. Within the limits of the pertinent UN Regulations, the intensity may increase or decrease with environmental conditions, such as fog or rain (para. 5.26.1.). New paragraph 5.26.2. allows a decrease within these limits at 20 km/h or less, or at 20 m or less to the following vehicle. An intensity decrease already activated may remain active as long as the vehicle speed is 50 km/h or less. Paragraph 5.26.3. lets stop lamps of category S4 and rear fog lamps of category F2 vary independently, based on the conditions of 5.26.1. and 5.26.2.
Method used to determine the apparent surface (para. 3.2.5. and item 10.2. of Annex 1)
Paragraph 3.2.5. now requires that the method used to determine the apparent surface is declared for each lamp, as defined in paragraph 2.5. It must be recorded in item 10.2. of Annex 1. In item 10.2., the two methods are no longer joined by “or”. Each method, the boundary of the illuminating surface and the light-emitting surface, is now followed by “used for the following lamp(s)”.
Foremost side-marker lamp on semi-trailers (para. 6.18.4.3.)
For semi-trailers, the foremost side-marker lamp must now be not further than 4 m from the front, instead of 3 m. For other vehicles, the limit is 3 m, as before.
08 series: approval number, approval marks and transitional provisions (paras. 4.2. and 12.7., Annex 2)
The first two digits of the approval number are now 08, for the 08 series of amendments (para. 4.2.). The approval mark examples in Annex 2 now refer to the 08 series of amendments. In new paragraph 12.7.2., from 1 September 2024, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept approvals to the preceding series first issued after that date. Until 1 September 2027, they must accept approvals to the preceding series first issued before 1 September 2024 (para. 12.7.3.). As from 1 September 2027, they need not accept approvals to the preceding series, except for vehicle types not affected by the 08 series changes. WP.29 changed the dates in paragraphs 12.7.2. and 12.7.3. from 1 September 2023 to 1 September 2024 when it sent the text to AC.1.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Expert from the Special Interest Group, with proposals from the experts from GTB and Germany
- Working party
- GRE, 84th session (April 2021)
Reasons
The Task Force on Headlamp Switching (TF HS) had the aim to simplify and clarify some aspects of the headlamp and DRL switching. Its final proposal had more complex changes than expected and also requested technical modifications to vehicles. For this reason, it comes as a new 08 series of amendments, not as a supplement.
Sources (3)
“The Task Force on Headlamp Switching (TF HS) was established with the aim to simplify and clarify certain aspects of the headlamp and DRL switching and related interaction.”
“the proposal finally prepared by TF involved more complex changes than originally expected, also requesting technical modifications to the vehicles to fulfill the updated requirements”
“For this reason, it was deemed more suitable to present the proposal as a new 08 series of amendments.”
The old paragraph 6.2.7.5. remained unchanged after automatic headlamp switching was introduced, and it caused misunderstanding and different interpretations. The exceptions in paragraph 6.2.7.5.1. should allow country-specific user requirements to be realized from a technical perspective. Manual switching ON of the dipped beam was unanimously considered necessary, for example in daytime fog or rain that the sensors hardly detect. It is also needed when the automatic switching fails. For daytime running lamps, the condition of more than 100 m travelled with the lamps OFF was judged an unnecessary burden. Above 7,000 lux, the light outside the vehicle is considered high enough to drive without dipped-beam headlamps and rear position lamps ON.
Sources (5)
“The requirement in this paragraph remained unchanged after the introduction of automatic headlamps switching requirement and caused misunderstanding and different interpretations.”
“The requirements in the respective subparagraphs should allow that country specific “user requirements” could be realized from a technical perspective.”
“in particular for ambient conditions with reduced visibility (e.g., daytime fog or rain situations) hardly detectable by the automatic switching sensors or in case of failure of the automatic switching”
“with deleting the condition referred to the vehicle having travelled for more than 100 m with DRL OFF (which was judged an unnecessary burden)”
“This means that above 7,000 lux the ambient light conditions outside the vehicle are considered more than high enough to drive without dipped beam headlamps and rear position lamps ON.”
The change to paragraph 5.26. is intended to reduce the discomfort from the glare of increasingly performant rear-signalling lamps seen at short distance. At the same time, the signals must be perceived correctly in all cases.
Source
“The proposed amendment is intended to reduce the discomfort caused by the glaring effects of increasingly performant rear-signalling lamps, when seen at short distance, while assuring correct perception of the signals in all cases.”
Two proven methods exist to determine the apparent surface: the light-emitting surface and the illuminating surface. The light-emitting surface is the best choice for a clear lens without additional optics, and the illuminating surface is more adequate for textured outer lenses. It was unclear whether different methods may be used for different functions. The change to item 10.2. of Annex 1 is intended to clarify this.
Sources (5)
“For the determination of the apparent surface currently two proven methods exist.”
“For lighting and light-signaling devices with a clear lens without any additional optics the light emitting surface is the best choice”
“for the determination of the apparent surface of textured (with optics) outer lenses the illuminating surface is more adequate”
“it is unclear if the method used for the determination of the apparent surface may be differently used for different functions”
“The proposed amendment to item 10.2. of Annex 1 intends to clarify this.”
On semi-trailers, the required distance of 3 m from the front for the foremost side-marker lamp cannot always be achieved. The proposal takes into account the special circumstances of some semi-trailers, for example curtain-side trailers. The lamp should nevertheless be installed as close as possible to the front.
Sources (2)
“The required distance of the foremost side-marker lamp of 3 m from the front cannot always be achieved in case of semi-trailers, nevertheless it should be installed as close as possible to the front.”
“taking into account the special circumstances of some semi-trailers (for example: curtain-side trailers)”
Document trail
- 2021-02ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/4Proposal for the 08 series by the Special Interest Group
- 2021-02ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/5GTB proposal on the apparent surface
- 2021-02ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/8Proposal by Germany on the foremost side-marker lamp
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/84GRE session report, paras. 24, 25 and 27
- 2021-09Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2021/86Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1
- 2021-11WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1161Adopted at the 185th session (session report, para. 121)
- 2022-06-22In forceC.N.203.2022.TREATIES-XI.B.16.48UN depositary notification
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- Make sure the dipped-beam headlamps switch ON and OFF automatically according to Annex 13 (para. 6.2.7.5.).
- Make sure the dipped-beam headlamps can always be switched ON manually (para. 6.2.7.6.).
- Make sure automatic operation resumes as soon as the conditions of paragraph 6.2.7.5.1. or 6.19.7.2. no longer exist.
- Make sure the daytime running lamps switch ON and OFF automatically as paragraphs 6.19.7.1. and 6.19.7.4. require.
- Make sure at least the rear position lamps are ON with the daytime running lamps, except above 7,000 lux outside.
- Check the electrical connections of daytime running lamps against paragraphs 6.19.7.6. and 6.19.7.7.
- For intensity decrease in traffic conditions, check the 20 km/h, 20 m and 50 km/h limits of paragraph 5.26.2.
- Declare the method used to determine the apparent surface for each lamp (para. 3.2.5.).
- On semi-trailers, fit the foremost side-marker lamp not further than 4 m from the front (para. 6.18.4.3.).
- Plan new approvals against the 08 series dates in paragraph 12.7.: 1 September 2024 and 1 September 2027.
Component supplier
- For a dimmed daytime running lamp, be ready to show the 140 cd limit at its type approval.
- Give the vehicle manufacturer the HV luminous intensities of front direction-indicator and daytime running lamps (para. 6.19.7.6.).
- Check that rear lamps with variable luminous intensity are of the categories that paragraphs 5.26. and 5.26.3. name.
Technical service / Approval authority
- Check the dipped-beam switching against paragraphs 6.2.7.5. to 6.2.7.8., including the 1,000 lx condition.
- Check the daytime running lamp switching and its manual OFF conditions against paragraphs 6.19.7.1. to 6.19.7.4.
- Assess the applicant's concise description or other means for the HV exception of paragraph 6.19.7.6.
- Make sure the apparent surface method for each lamp is recorded in item 10.2. of Annex 1 (para. 3.2.5.).
- Check the position of the foremost side-marker lamp on semi-trailers against the 4 m limit of paragraph 6.18.4.3.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.
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