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UN R53 Base text (03 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 — 03 series of amendments

Changes from 02 series of amendments (supplement 2)

Adopted at the WP.29 179th sessionEntry into force 2020-05-29
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What changed
  • Paragraph 5.11.1.1. applies if each DRL whose maximum luminous intensity exceeds 700 cd as identified in Annex 1 of UN Regulation No. 148 is fitted. Then the passing beam must be switched ON and OFF automatically relative to the ambient light conditions, according to Annex 8.
  • New paragraph 5.22. allows lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light source(s) only when the paragraph 3.2.6. statement is present and positive.
  • As from 1 September 2023, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept UN type approvals to the preceding series first issued after that date (11.8.). But they must continue to accept such approvals and their extensions for vehicles not affected by the changes introduced by the 03 series (11.10.).
Why
  • The DRL-L group agreed on the need for automatic switching from DRL to headlamp(s) if the DRL maximum luminous intensity is above 700 cd.
  • The LED proposal was prepared to introduce requirements for LED substitute light sources into UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86.
  • Supplement 3 to the 02 series may come into force on the same date, so it is included to remove the possible legal uncertainty.

Q1What changed44 changes

Automatic DRL, headlamp and passing beam switching (paras 5.11.1. to 5.11.2. and Annex 8)

New paragraphs 5.11.1.1. and 5.11.1.2. use the DRL maximum luminous intensity as identified in Annex 1 of UN Regulation No. 148. If each DRL exceeds 700 cd, the passing beam must be switched ON and OFF automatically relative to the ambient light conditions, under Annex 8. If each DRL does not exceed 700 cd, the passing beam switching may be manual or automatic; if automatic, paragraph 5.11.1.1. conditions apply. New Annex 8: below 1,000 lux of ambient light outside the vehicle, headlamps must be ON within no more than 2 seconds. At 1,000 lux and more, the requirement and the response time are at the manufacturer’s discretion. Paragraph 5.11.2. still says that, if no daytime running lamp is installed, the headlamp must automatically be ON when the engine is running.

If each DRL whose maximum luminous intensity exceeds 700 cd as identified in Annex 1 of UN Regulation No. 148 is fitted on vehicle, the passing beam shall be switched ON and OFF automatically relative to the ambient light conditions (e.g. switch ON during night-time driving conditions, tunnels, etc.) according to the requirements of Annex 8.
If each DRL whose maximum luminous intensity does not exceed 700 cd as identified in Annex 1 of UN Regulation No. 148 is fitted on vehicle, the switching ON or OFF of the passing beam may be either manual or automatic. If automatic, conditions of paragraph 5.11.1.1. must be complied with.
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Approval number and approval marks for the 03 series (para. 4.2. and Annex 2)

Paragraph 4.2. now gives 03 as the first two digits of the approval number, for the Regulation in its 03 series of amendments. The sentence “The same Contracting Party may not assign the same number to another vehicle type …” is deleted. In Annex 2, the approval mark examples now show 53R03 and 78R04. Their explanations now refer to the 03 series of UN Regulation No. 53 and the 04 series of UN Regulation No. 78.

An approval number shall be assigned to each type approved. Its first two digits (at present 01 03 for the Regulation in its 01 03 series of amendments) shall indicate the series of amendments incorporating the most recent major technical amendments made to the Regulation at the time of issue of the approval.
The same Contracting Party may not assign the same number to another vehicle type or to the same vehicle type submitted with equipment not specified in the list referred to in paragraph 3.2.2. above, subject to the provisions of paragraph 7. of this Regulation.
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Transitional provisions for the 03 series (paras 11.7. to 11.11.)

From the official date of entry into force of the 03 series, no Contracting Party may refuse to grant or accept approvals under it (11.7.). As from 1 September 2023, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept UN type approvals to the preceding series first issued after that date (11.8.). But they must continue to accept such approvals and their extensions for vehicles not affected by the changes introduced by the 03 series (11.10.). Contracting Parties must not refuse to grant UN type approvals to any preceding series of amendments or extensions thereof (11.11.).

As from the official date of entry into force of the 03 series of amendments, no Contracting Party applying this Regulation shall refuse to grant or refuse to accept UN type approvals under this Regulation as amended by the 03 series of amendments.
As from 1 September 2023, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall not be obliged to accept UN type approvals to the preceding series of amendments, first issued after 1 September 2023.
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Lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light sources (paras 3.2.6., 5.22. and Annex 1, item 9.23.)

New paragraph 3.2.6. adds, at the discretion of the manufacturer, a statement to the documents that accompany the application. It says whether lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light sources may be installed and, if so, which lamps. New paragraph 5.22. allows the use of these lamps exclusively when this statement is present and positive. At type approval and in conformity of production, the lamps must be checked for the marking related to LED substitute light source(s). Annex 1 gains item 9.23. on whether these lamps may be installed, and the Regulation gains a footnote “If yes, list the applicable lamps”. Paragraph 3.2.5. now starts “A statement of the method …” instead of “The application shall include a statement of the method …”.

At the discretion of the manufacturer, a statement indicating whether lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light sources are allowed to be installed on the vehicle or not and, if this is allowed, which lamps.
The use of lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light source(s), is allowed exclusively in the case where the statement indicated in paragraph 3.2.6. is present and positive.
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Stop lamp activation (paras 6.4.6.1. and 6.4.6.2.)

All the stop lamps must now light up simultaneously when the braking system provides the braking signal defined in UN Regulation No. 78. Before, all stop lamps had to light up simultaneously at any service brake application. New paragraph 6.4.6.2. is about the device which starts and/or stops the engine (propulsion system). When this device is in a position that makes it impossible for the engine (propulsion system) to operate, the stop lamps need not function.

All stop lamps shall light up simultaneously at any service brake application.All the stop lamps shall light up simultaneously when the braking system provides the braking signal defined in UN Regulation No. 78.
The stop lamps need not to function if the device, which starts and/or stops the engine (propulsion system), is in a position that makes it impossible for the engine (propulsion system) to operate.

Horizontal angle for each pair of lamps (para. 6.7.4.)

In paragraph 6.7.4., the horizontal angle may now be 80° outwards and 20° inwards for each pair of lamps. Before, it was 80 degrees outwards and 45° inwards.

the horizontal angle may be 80 degrees ° outwards and 4520° inwards for each pair of lamps.:

Definitions (para. 2.) and new item (j) in paragraph 6.1.1.2.

Paragraph 2.19. now defines “Device” as a component or combination of components used to perform one or several functions. The definitions of “Bend lighting”, “H plane”, “Sequential activation” and “Emergency stop signal” are deleted. Paragraph 2.20. now defines “Exterior courtesy lamp”. In paragraphs 2.5.1. and 2.5.2., the list of lamps in brackets now ends with a closing bracket. Paragraph 6.1.1.2. is for motorcycles having a cylinder capacity > 125 cm3. Its list “Two of approved type according to:” now also has item (j), “Class CS of UN Regulation No. 149”.

"Device" means a component or combination of components used in order to perform one or several functions.
"Bend lighting" means a lighting function to provide enhanced illumination in bends.
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Q2Why it changed

Proposed by
Expert from the Special Interest Group for Daytime Running Lamps for L-category vehicles (DRL-L); expert from the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA); Informal Working Group on Simplification of Lighting and Light-Signalling Regulations (IWG SLR); Task Force on Substitutes and Retrofits (TF SR)
Working party
GRE, 80th session (October 2018) and 81st session (April 2019)

Reasons

  • The DRL-L group agreed on the need for automatic switching from DRL to headlamp(s) if the DRL maximum luminous intensity is above 700 cd. The value “700 cd” comes from UN Regulation No. 113, which specifies maximum luminous intensity in the area of zone II. The proposal presumes that, if two DRLs are fitted, the condition of 700 cd applies for each DRL.

    Sources (4)
    “the Special Interest Group for DRL-L agreed on the need to introduce requirements for automatic switching from daytime running lamps (“DRL”) to headlamp(s,) if the maximum luminous intensity of DRL is above 700 cd.”
    “This value “700 cd” comes from provision of UN Regulation No. 113 which specifies maximum luminous intensity in the area of zone II.”
    “presented a revised proposal that introduced a new requirement for automatic switching from DRL to the headlamp for L3 category in UN Regulation No. 53”
    “It is presumed that, if there are two DRLs (category MRL) fitted, the condition of 700 cd will apply for each DRL.”

  • The 03 series and Supplement 3 to the 02 series are submitted simultaneously and may come into force on the same date. So the text of Supplement 3 is included in the 03 series to remove the possible legal uncertainty.

    Sources (2)
    “As the new 03 series of amendments is submitted simultaneously and may come into force on the same date with Supplement 3 to the 02 series of amendments (document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/85), the latter is explicitly included in the present document”
    “the latter is explicitly included in the present document in order to remove the possible legal uncertainty.”

  • The LED proposal was prepared to introduce requirements for LED substitute light sources into UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86.

    Sources (2)
    “to introduce requirements for light emitting diode (LED) substitute light sources into UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86”
    “To introduce requirements for LED substitute light sources in the installation UN Regulations, the expert from Germany presented collective amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86”

  • The stop lamp proposal aims to allow different stop lamp activation methods and to align the stop lamp provisions with those for four-wheelers. Paragraph 6.4.6.1. of the proposal is based on paragraph 6.7.7.1. of Regulation No. 48. Paragraph 6.4.6.2. is similar to paragraph 6.7.7.2. of Regulation No. 48.

    Sources (2)
    “The expert from IMMA introduced a revised proposal which allowed the use of different stop lamp activation methods and aligned the stop lamp provisions with those applicable for four-wheelers”
    “paragraph 6.4.6.1. of the proposal is based on paragraph 6.7.7.1. of Regulation No. 48 and paragraph 6.4.6.2. is similar to paragraph 6.7.7.2. of Regulation No. 48.”

  • The visibility proposal harmonizes Regulations Nos. 50 and 53 for the inward geometric visibility requirement for rear position lamps. It is linked to a proposal for Regulation No. 50 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/27). That proposal aligns the visibility angles of rear position lamps with those of front position lamps.

    Sources (2)
    “This amendment harmonizes the provisions of Regulations Nos. 50 and 53 with regard to the inward geometric visibility requirement for rear position lamps.”
    “It is linked to the correspondent proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 50 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/27) which aligns the angle of visibility requirements of rear position lamps with the angle of visibility requirements of front position lamps.”

Document trail

  1. 2018-02ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/28Proposal by IMMA on the inward visibility of rear position lamps
  2. 2018-02ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/29Revised proposal by IMMA on stop lamp activation
  3. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/79GRE session report, para. 36: GRE adopted the stop lamp proposal
  4. 2018-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/35Proposal by IWG SLR to correct the definitions
  5. 2018-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/41Collective proposal by TF SR on LED substitute light sources, for UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86
  6. 2018-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/50Proposal by the DRL-L Special Interest Group for the 03 series
  7. —Amended in sessionGRE-80-05Corrigendum by IWG SLR to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/35
  8. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/80GRE session report, paras. 12, 15, 18 and 28
  9. 2019-01ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/12Proposal by IMMA to amend the draft 03 series
  10. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/81GRE session report, para. 19
  11. 2019-08Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/80Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1
  12. 2019-11WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1149Adopted at the 179th session (session report, para. 116)
  13. 2020-05-29In forceC.N.239.2020.TREATIES-XI.B.16.53UN depositary notification

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

  • In the case of paragraph 5.11.1.1., switch the passing beam ON and OFF automatically according to Annex 8.
  • In the case of paragraph 5.11.1.1., switch headlamps ON within no more than 2 seconds below 1,000 lux ambient light.
  • Demonstrate compliance with the Annex 8 switching conditions by simulation or other means accepted by the Type Approval Authority.
  • To use lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light sources, give a positive paragraph 3.2.6. statement (5.22.).
  • If you allow these lamps, name them in the paragraph 3.2.6. statement.
  • Light all the stop lamps simultaneously when the braking system provides the braking signal defined in UN Regulation No. 78.

Component supplier

  • No direct action for this role.

Technical service / Approval authority

  • In the case of paragraph 5.11.1.1., be ready to check the automatic passing beam switching against Annex 8.
  • Be ready to check lamp markings for LED substitute light sources at type approval and conformity of production (5.22.).
  • As approval authority, use 03 as the first two digits of approval numbers under the 03 series (4.2.).
  • As approval authority, answer new item 9.23. of the Annex 1 communication and, if yes, list the applicable lamps.

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

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