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UN R53 Supplement 2 (02 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 53 (ECE R53) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of category L3 vehicles with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices.

UN R53 — Supplement 2 to the 02 series of amendments

Supplement 1 → 2

Adopted at the WP.29 177th sessionEntry into force 2019-10-15
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What changed
  • Definitions now come from the latest UN Regulation No. 48 series of amendments in force at the type-approval application, unless this Regulation specifies otherwise.
  • New paragraph 6.15. sets rules for exterior courtesy lamps, which are optional for motorcycles.
  • Direction indicator lamps may indicate the status of the device for protection of vehicles against unauthorized use, under the conditions of new paragraph 6.3.6.3.
Why
  • The definitions were reviewed because all identical definitions should be kept only in UN Regulation No. 48.
  • One proposal aims to clarify that direction indicator lamps may be switched ON to indicate the status of the device to prevent unauthorised use.
  • Another proposal aims to allow exterior courtesy lamps on motorcycles, because it is not clear whether the scope of UN Regulation No. 53 covers them.

Q1What changed169 changes

Definitions of UN Regulation No. 48 apply

The definitions of UN Regulation No. 48 now apply to this Regulation, unless this Regulation specifies otherwise. The series of amendments to use is the latest one in force at the time of application for type approval. Many definitions are deleted from this Regulation, for example “Approval of a vehicle”, “Transverse plane”, “Stop lamp” and “Device”. The remaining definitions have new numbers, and their references to other definitions use the new numbers. In paragraphs 2.5.1. and 2.5.2., the definitions of illuminating surface now name the lamps, instead of paragraph numbers. In paragraph 2.22., the definition of “Emergency stop signal” now ends after the words “a high retardation”.

2.10.2.7.
2.12.2.8.
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References to definitions in UN Regulation No. 48

Several paragraphs now refer to definitions in UN Regulation No. 48, instead of definitions in this Regulation. Paragraphs 5.6.2.1. to 5.6.2.3. and 5.19.2. now refer to paragraph 2.16.1. of UN Regulation No. 48, instead of paragraph 2.14. References to paragraph 2.11. now refer to paragraph 2.13. of UN Regulation No. 48. Paragraph 3.2.4. now refers to UN Regulation No. 48 for the axis of reference, the centre of reference and the rear registration plate lamp. Paragraph 3.2.1. now refers to paragraphs 2.1.1. to 2.1.3., and paragraph 3.2.5. refers to paragraph 2.6.

The angles of geometric visibility shall be checked in accordance with paragraph 2.112.13. of this UN Regulation No. 48. The values measured for the angles shall be such that the individual specifications applicable to each lamp are fulfilled except that the limits of the angles may have an allowance corresponding to the ±3° variation permitted in paragraph 5.3. of this Regulation for the mounting of the light-signalling devices.
A description of the vehicle type with regard to the items mentioned in paragraphs 2.2.12.1.1. to 2.2.32.1.3. above; the vehicle type duly identified shall be specified;
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Devices approved to UN Regulations Nos. 148, 149 and 150

Many paragraphs that name devices of UN Regulations Nos. 6, 7, 50, 87 or 113 now also name UN Regulation No. 148 or 149. New list items name classes of UN Regulation No. 149, for example “Class CS of UN Regulation No. 149”. Two list items now end with a semicolon instead of a full stop, and one list item has the letter (i) instead of (h). New paragraph 5.21. deems a device type approved to any preceding series of UN Regulations Nos. 148, 149 or 150 equivalent to the latest series. This applies when the change indexes (defined in UN Regulation No. 48) related to each individual lamp (function) do not differ. In this case, such a device may be fitted on the vehicle to be type approved, with no update of its approval documents and markings.

Stop lamp, S1 category device specified in UN Regulation No. 7 or 148 or stop lamp specified in UN Regulation No. 50 (paragraph 6.4.);.) or stop lamp for category L vehicles in UN Regulation No 148;
Stop lamp, S3 category device specified in UN Regulation No. 7 (paragraph 6.4.)..) or 148;
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Bank angle for the activation of bend lighting

The additional light source(s) or additional lighting unit(s) must not be activated when the bank angle is less than three degrees. Before this supplement, this limit was 5 degrees. Automatic activation still needs bank angle(s) greater or equal to the minimum bank angle(s) given in the communication form of the device type approval. That type approval can now be according to UN Regulation No. 113 or 149. For a single additional lighting unit, the text now says “reference centre” instead of “reference center”.

However, the additional light source(s) or additional lighting unit(s) shall not be activated when the bank angle is less than 5 three degrees.
The additional light source(s) or additional lighting unit(s) used to produce bend lighting on each side of the vehicle may only be automatically activated when the bank angle(s) is(are) greater or equal to the minimum bank angle(s) given in the communication form for the type approval of the device according to UN Regulation No. 113 or 149.
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Direction indicator lamps (paras. 6.3.6.2., 6.3.6.3. and 6.3.7.)

New paragraph 6.3.6.2. lets the direction indicator lamps indicate the status of the device for protection of vehicles against unauthorized use. New paragraph 6.3.6.3. says that this indication must be produced by the simultaneous operation of the direction indicator lamps. For a single indication, the limit is 3 seconds maximum. For a continuous indication, the limits are 5 minutes maximum, (2 ± 1) Hz and an on time of off time ± 10 per cent. The indication is allowed only when the device which starts and/or stops the engine (propulsion system) is in a position where the engine cannot operate. Paragraph 6.3.7. is deleted; it said that the lamp may not be “reciprocally incorporated” with any other lamp, except amber front position lamp.

Direction The direction indicator lamps shall switch on independently of the other lamps. All direction indicator lamps on one side of a vehicle shall be switched on and off by means of one control.
May not be "reciprocally incorporated" with any other lamp, except amber front position lamp.
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Red light to the front and white light to the rear (para. 5.9.)

Under paragraph 5.9., a lamp as defined in paragraph 2.5. must not emit red light which could give rise to confusion in a forward direction. The same applies to white light which could give rise to confusion in a rearward direction. Lighting devices fitted for the interior lighting of the vehicle are not taken into account. In case of doubt, the requirement must be verified as the paragraph sets out (see the drawing in Annex 4). Before this supplement, the text said: “No red light shall be visible towards the front and no white light shall be visible towards the rear.”

No red light shall be visible towards the front and no white light shall be visible towards the rear. Compliance with this requirement shall be verified as shown hereunder (see drawing in Annex 4):No red light which could give rise to confusion shall be emitted from a lamp as defined in paragraph 2.5. in a forward direction and no white light which could give rise to confusion, shall be emitted from a lamp as defined in paragraph 2.5. in a rearward direction. No account shall be taken of lighting devices fitted for the interior lighting of the vehicle. In case of doubt, this requirement shall be verified as follows (see drawing in Annex 4)

Exterior courtesy lamps (paras. 2.34., 5.15.6., 6.15. and Annex 7)

New paragraph 2.34. defines the “Exterior courtesy lamp”. Under new paragraph 6.15., the lamp is optional for motorcycles, and one or two lamps are allowed. Further exterior courtesy lamps may illuminate the footrest, with not more than one lamp for each footrest. The lamp may be activated only on a stationary vehicle when the engine (propulsion system) cannot operate or a load compartment is opened for access. Paragraph 6.15.9.3. and new Annex 7 give a visual test for direct visibility of the apparent surface, with stand and steering conditions. The colour of its light is white, and new item 9.22. reads “Exterior courtesy lamp: yes/no”.

Exterior courtesy lamp: yes/no
[figure changed]
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Q2Why it changed

Proposed by
Informal Working Group on Simplification of Lighting and Light-Signalling Regulations (IWG SLR); expert from the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA)
Working party
GRE, 79th session (April 2018) and 80th session (October 2018)

Reasons

  • The expert from IWG SLR recalled that all identical definitions should be kept only in Regulation No. 48. He therefore proposed to review the definitions in Regulation No. 53, and GRE adopted these modifications.

    Sources (2)
    “The expert from IWG SLR recalled that all identical definitions should only be kept in Regulation No. 48.”
    “Thus, he proposed to review the definitions in Regulations Nos. 53 and 74 (GRE-79-08 and GRE-79-09, respectively). GRE adopted these modifications, as contained in Annex VI.”

  • The new simplified Regulations on Light-Signalling Devices (LSD), Road Illumination Devices (RID) and Retro-Reflective Devices (RRD) make additional references in Regulation No. 53 necessary. It is also necessary to extend the general requirements to the implementation of the change index.

    Sources (3)
    “references to the three new simplified Regulations on Light-Signalling Devices (LSD), Road Illumination Devices (RID) and Retro-Reflective Devices (RRD)”
    “With the new simplified Regulations on LSD, RID and RRD produced by IWG SLR it is necessary to introduce additional references in Regulation No. 53.”
    “With the new simplified Regulations on LSD, RID and RRD produced by IWG SLR it is necessary to extend the general requirements to the implementation of the change index.”

  • The proposal aims to clarify that direction indicator lamps may be switched ON to indicate the status of the device to prevent unauthorised use.

    Source
    “This proposal aims to clarify that direction indicator lamps may be switched ON to indicate the status of the device to prevent unauthorised use.”

  • The proposal aims to align Regulation No. 53 with Regulation No. 48 and to correct a mistake in the past amendment process. Paragraph 6.3.7. had already been deleted by Supplement 12 to the 01 series of amendments, but it was inadvertently reinstated by Supplement 13.

    Sources (3)
    “This proposal aims to align the text of Regulation No. 53 with Regulation No. 48, and to correct a mistake in the past amendment process.”
    “A similar proposal (ECE/TRANS/GRE/2010/22) to delete paragraph 6.3.7., among other paragraphs, was adopted at the sixty-third session of the Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling (GRE) and entered into force as Supplement 12 to the 01 series of amendments.”
    “Thus, although paragraph 6.3.7. had already been deleted by Supplement 12, it was inadvertently reinstated by Supplement 13.”

  • The proposal aims to allow exterior courtesy lamps on motorcycles. UN Regulation No. 48 has explicitly allowed exterior courtesy lamps since 2009. Some motorcycles are currently available with courtesy lamps, but it is not clear whether the scope of UN Regulation No. 53 covers them. The proposal therefore adds the definition and requirements of exterior courtesy lamps, aligned with the text of UN Regulation No. 48.

    Sources (4)
    “This proposal aims to allow exterior courtesy lamps being fitted on motorcycles.”
    “UN Regulation No. 48 has explicitly allowed the exterior courtesy lamps since 2009.”
    “However, it is not clear whether the scope of UN Regulation No. 53 covers such courtesy lamps or not.”
    “this proposal amends UN Regulation No. 53 to explicitly include the definition and requirements of exterior courtesy lamps by aligning the text with UN Regulation No. 48.”

Document trail

  1. 2017-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/26Proposal by IMMA to delete paragraph 6.3.7.
  2. 2018-02ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/15Proposal by IWG SLR for references to LSD, RID and RRD in the 02 series
  3. 2018-02ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/18Collective proposal by IWG SLR on the change index, for Regulations Nos. 53, 74 and 86
  4. 2018-02ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/26Earlier proposal by IMMA on exterior courtesy lamps, for the 79th GRE session
  5. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/79GRE session report: the IWG SLR package (paras. 9 and 15 to 17) and the IMMA proposal ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/26 (para. 38)
  6. 2018-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/45Proposal by IMMA on direction indicator lamps, for the 80th GRE session
  7. 2018-08RevisedECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/46Revised proposal by IMMA on exterior courtesy lamps, which supersedes ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/26
  8. 2018-10Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/104/Rev.1Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1 for their November 2018 sessions, based on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/15; WP.29 recommended postponing the vote to the March 2019 session of AC.1
  9. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/80Session report, paras. 30 and 31: GRE adopted the two proposals, the second one subject to a modification
  10. 2018-12Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/86/Rev.1Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1 for their March 2019 sessions, to delete paragraph 6.3.7.
  11. 2018-12Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/17Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1, based on the two proposals
  12. 2019-03WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1145Adopted at the 177th session (session report, para. 146)
  13. 2019-10-15In forceC.N.530.2019.TREATIES-XI.B.16.53UN depositary notification

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

  • Make any exterior courtesy lamp activate only on a stationary vehicle, when (a) or (b) of paragraph 6.15.9.1. applies.
  • Make sure any status indication by the direction indicator lamps meets the limits and the engine condition of paragraph 6.3.6.3.
  • Update your documents that quote definitions of this Regulation to the new numbers or to UN Regulation No. 48.

Component supplier

  • Give the vehicle manufacturer the category or class of your lamps approved to UN Regulation No. 148 or 149.

Technical service / Approval authority

  • Perform the visual test of paragraph 6.15.9.3. for exterior courtesy lamps, to the satisfaction of the Type Approval Authority.
  • For this test, use the stand and steering conditions of paragraph 6.15.9.3., in addition to the conditions of paragraph 5.4.
  • Check bend lighting against the new limit of three degrees bank angle, which was 5 degrees.
  • If the applicant asks, decide whether to accept a drawing or simulation for the visual test of paragraph 6.15.9.3.

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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.

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