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UN R74 Base text (02 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 74 (ECE R74) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of category L1 vehicles with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices.

UN R74 — 02 series of amendments

Changes from 01 series of amendments (supplement 11)

Adopted at the WP.29 179th sessionEntry into force 2020-05-29
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What changed
  • A new footnote says that direction indicator lamps are mandatory on vehicles with a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h.
  • Contracting Parties applying this Regulation need not accept UN type approvals to the preceding series first issued after 1 September 2023, except under paragraph 12.7.
  • New paragraph 5.20. allows lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light source(s) exclusively if the paragraph 3.2.6. statement is present and positive.
Why
  • The Netherlands proposed that direction indicator lamps become mandatory on mopeds, as on motorcycles, to enhance safety.
  • A transitional period of approximately four years was proposed to give all stakeholders sufficient lead time.
  • ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/87 is included in the 02 series to remove the possible legal uncertainty, because both may come into force on the same date.

Q1What changed27 changes

Direction indicator lamps (paras. 5.14.8. and 5.15.4.)

New paragraph 5.14.8. reads “Direction indicator lamps (paragraph 6.8.)”. A new footnote says that direction indicator lamps are mandatory on vehicles with a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h. Another new footnote says that direction indicator lamps are optional on vehicles with a maximum design speed not exceeding 25 km/h. That footnote adds in brackets: output of auxiliary propulsion is cut off at a vehicle speed ≤ 25 km/h. Paragraph 5.15.4. now starts with a capital letter: “Direction-indicator lamps (paragraph 6.8.)”.

Direction indicator lamps (paragraph 6.8.)
direction-indicator Direction-indicator lamps (paragraph 6.8.)
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Acceptance of approvals to the preceding series (paras. 12.5., 12.7. and 12.8.)

Under paragraph 12.5., Contracting Parties applying this Regulation need not accept UN type approvals to the preceding series if first issued after 1 September 2023. Paragraph 12.7. makes an exception to paragraph 12.5. for the vehicles which are not affected by the changes introduced by the 02 series. For these vehicles, Contracting Parties applying the 02 series must continue to accept such approvals and any extension thereof. Under paragraph 12.8., Contracting Parties applying the 02 series must continue to accept, until 1 September 2028, earlier-series approvals first issued before 1 September 2023.

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, if first issued after 1 September 2023.
Notwithstanding paragraph 12.5., Contracting Parties applying 02 series of amendments to this Regulation shall continue to accept UN type-approvals to the preceding series of amendments to this Regulation, if first issued after 1 September 2023 and any extension thereof, for the vehicles which are not affected by the changes introduced by the 02 series of amendments.
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Other transitional provisions (paras. 12.4., 12.6. and 12.9.)

New paragraph 12.4. applies from the official date of entry into force of the 02 series of amendments. From that date, no Contracting Party applying this Regulation may refuse to grant or refuse to accept UN type approvals under the 02 series. Paragraph 12.6. is for Contracting Parties that start to apply this Regulation after the most recent series of amendments enters into force. These Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept UN type approvals granted to any of the preceding series. Under paragraph 12.9., Contracting Parties applying this Regulation must not refuse to grant UN type approvals to any preceding series or extensions thereof.

As from the official date of entry into force of the 02 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 02 series of amendments.
Notwithstanding the transitional provisions above, Contracting Parties who start to apply this Regulation after the date of entry into force of the most recent series of amendments are not obliged to accept UN type approvals which were granted in accordance with any of the preceding series of amendments to this Regulation.
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Lamps with LED substitute light sources (paras. 3.2.6. and 5.20., Annex 1 item 5.12.)

At the discretion of the manufacturer, new paragraph 3.2.6. adds a statement on lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light sources. The statement says whether these lamps are allowed to be installed on the vehicle or not and, if this is allowed, which lamps. New paragraph 5.20. allows the use of these lamps exclusively in the case where the paragraph 3.2.6. 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). New item 5.12. in Annex 1 asks if lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light source(s) may be installed on this vehicle type. A new footnote says “If yes, list the applicable lamps” in this version.

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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Approval marks in Annex 2

In Annex 2, the approval mark text now gives approval number 022439 and the 02 series of amendments. Before, it gave approval number 012439 and the 01 series. The text for UN Regulations Nos. 74 and 78 now gives the 02 series of No. 74 and the 04 series of No. 78. Before, they were the 01 and 02 series. The Annex 2 title now reads “Arrangement of approval marks” instead of “Arrangements of approval marks”. A footnote now reads “The second number is given merely as an example” instead of “The latter is given merely as an example”.

The above approval mark affixed to a moped shows that the vehicle type concerned has, with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices, been approved in the Netherlands (E4), E 4) pursuant to UN Regulation No. 74 under approval number 012439022439. The first two digits of the approval number indicate that the approval was granted in accordance with the requirements of UN Regulation No. 74, as amended by the 01 02 series of amendments.
The above approval mark affixed to a moped shows that the vehicle type concerned has been approved in the Netherlands (E4E 4) pursuant to UN Regulations Nos. 74 and 78. The approval numbers indicate that, at the dates when the respective approvals were given, UN Regulation No. 74 included the 01 02 series of amendments and UN Regulation No. 78 already included the 02 04 series of amendments.
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Approval number (para. 4.2.)

Paragraph 4.2. now says that the first two digits of the approval number are at present 02 for the 02 series of amendments. Before, they were 01 for the 01 series.

An approval number shall be assigned to each type approved. Its first two digits (at present 01 02 for the Regulation in its 01 02 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 shall not assign this 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.

Wording of paragraph 3.2.5.

Paragraph 3.2.5. now reads “A statement of the method used for the definition of the apparent surface (see paragraph 2.6.);”. Before, it began “The application shall include a statement of the method” and did not have the word “see”.

The application shall include a A statement of the method used for the definition of the apparent surface (see paragraph 2.6.).);
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Q2Why it changed

Proposed by
Expert from the Netherlands
Working party
GRE, 81st session (April 2019)

Reasons

  • The Netherlands proposed that direction indicator lamps become mandatory on mopeds, as on motorcycles, to enhance safety. Most of today’s mopeds appear to already have direction indicators. The increased use of fast moving mopeds on the regular road has shown a growing need for direction indicators on such vehicles. This applies in particular to the use of the so-called “speed-pedelecs”.

    Sources (3)
    “The Netherlands would like to propose that the installation of direction indicator lamps becomes mandatory on mopeds, as they are already mandatory for many years on motorcycles, to enhance safety.”
    “In addition, most of today’s mopeds appear to already be equipped with direction indicators.”
    “The increase of the use of fast moving mopeds on the regular road (instead of on dedicated cycle ways), in particular of the so-called “speed-pedelecs”, has shown a growing need for direction indicators on such vehicles.”

  • It was suggested to first consider mandatory direction indicators on mopeds with a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h. This leaves them optional on mopeds with a maximum design speed not exceeding 25 km/h, like for example certain electrically assisted bicycles.

    Sources (2)
    “However, it is suggested to first consider the mandatory installation of direction indicators on mopeds with a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h.”
    “Thus leaving the installation of direction indicators optional on mopeds with a maximum design speed not exceeding 25 km/h, like e.g. certain electrically assisted bicycles (regular “e-bikes”).”

  • A transitional period of approximately four years was proposed to give all stakeholders sufficient lead time.

    Source
    “To allow all stakeholders (government administrations, type-approval authorities, manufacturers, etc.) sufficient lead time, a transitional period of approximately four years is proposed.”

  • Collective amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86 were presented to introduce requirements for LED substitute light sources. ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/87 is included in the 02 series to remove the possible legal uncertainty, because both may come into force on the same date.

    Sources (4)
    “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”
    “to introduce requirements for light emitting diode (LED) substitute light sources into UN Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74 and 86”
    “As the new 02 series of amendments is submitted simultaneously and may come into force on the same date”
    “the latter is explicitly included in the present document in order to remove the possible legal uncertainty”

  • An editorial correction was made in the paragraphs that describe the necessary documentation for application.

    Source
    “An editorial correction was made in the paragraphs describing the necessary documentation for application.”

Document trail

  1. 2018-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/41Collective amendment proposal by TF SR for LED substitute light sources
  2. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/80GRE session report, para. 18 (LED substitute light sources)
  3. 2018-08ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2018/52Earlier proposal by the expert from the Netherlands
  4. 2019-01RevisedECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2019/2Revised proposal with redrafted transitional provisions
  5. —RevisedGRE-81-02-Rev.1Revision of the transitional provisions by the expert from the Netherlands
  6. —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/81GRE session report, para. 22 and Annex IV
  7. 2019-08Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/79Text that GRE sent to WP.29 and AC.1
  8. 2019-11WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1149Adopted at the 179th session (session report, para. 116)
  9. 2020-05-29In forceC.N.213.2020.TREATIES-XI.B.16.74UN depositary notification

Q3Who is affected

Vehicle manufacturer

  • Fit direction indicator lamps on vehicles with a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h.
  • Expect that approvals to the preceding series first issued after 1 September 2023 need not be accepted, except under 12.7.
  • To use lamps approved for and equipped with LED substitute light sources, give a positive paragraph 3.2.6. statement (5.20.).

Component supplier

  • No direct action for this role.

Technical service / Approval authority

  • Be ready to check direction indicator lamps on vehicles with a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h.
  • Be ready to check lamp markings for LED substitute light sources at type approval and conformity of production (5.20.).

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

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