What are E-markings?

To trade lighting products on the European market, they must meet certain requirements in terms of safety, health, and the environment. For example, regarding safety for vehicle drivers and their surroundings when it comes to lighting, regulations have been established by the Economic Commission for Europe: ECE. Guidelines (indicated with the letter R) specify aspects such as the amount of light, visibility, flash frequency, etc., for headlights, taillights, flashers, work lights, and more. The E-markings are also referred to as ECE markings.

E-markings: proof of approval

If a lamp demonstrably complies with the applicable requirements, it is given a so-called E-mark. This can be on the housing or on the lens of the lamp, for example.

E-markings on lamps: Which country?

The E-code on a lamp shows in which country the type approval took place. The testing authority in that country has examined the product (vehicle lighting, worklight, beacon, torch) and has concluded that it complies with the European homologation requirements. This is recorded in a report. The manufacturer of the light must be able to produce this!

For the Netherlands (E4) the RDW is the inspection authority.

The most important ECE-RXX requirements for TRALERT®

ECE-R112 Lights

Lichtarmaturen die zijn uitgevoerd met LED zijn gevoelig voor het uitzenden van elektromagnetische signalen. Wanneer deze signalen niet worden onderdrukt, is de kans groot dat deze gaan storen op bijvoorbeeld de autoradio. Dit is uiteraard niet wenselijk. Producten die voldoen aan ECE-R10 regelgeving onderdrukken deze signalen en zijn EMC Isolated. Dus geen problemen met autoradio’s en dergelijke.

ECE-R112 Lights

Driving lights that emit light in front of the vehicle must be equipped with ECE-R112 type approval as soon as they are used on public roads. A LED driving light with this type approval is equipped with lens technology that prevents dazzling oncoming traffic.

ECE-R23 Reversing lights

Lamps with this approval can be used as reverse lights. These lamps have a light pattern that does not dazzle oncoming traffic, unlike regular LED work lights.

ECE-R65 Vehicle warning lights

When do you have to use R65 signalling lights?

As of 1 March 2009, the European regulation ECE REG 65 applies. This regulation applies to acoustic and optical signalling on newly delivered, towed and trailered vehicles. From 1 March 2014 the regulation will be compulsory for both new and already driven, towed and semi-towed vehicles.

When should yellow flashing lights be used?

In the following activities or circumstances, a vehicle shall use yellow flashing or indicator lights if there is a risk that the vehicle will not be seen in time by other road users:

  • Activities for roadside assistance with motor vehicles apparently equipped for that purpose.
  • Activities using motor vehicles apparently equipped for the purpose of assistance and the repair or recovery and towing of vehicles.
  • Carriage of indivisible loads, insofar as this concerns vehicles which have been granted an exemption in accordance with the vehicle regulations, with regard to the dimensions of these vehicles or their loads.
  • Accompanying transports for which an exemption has been granted, insofar as this accompaniment results from the exemption and this is done with specially equipped vehicles.
  • Work on, on, in or above roads, including slippery road conditions or snow clearance.
  • Escorting military columns.
  • Driving agricultural or forestry tractors and reduced-speed motor vehicles, or trailers propelled by them, which are wider than 2.60 m including the load.

Description directive ECE R65:

Yellow flashing light: light composed of one set of yellow signal lights.

  • The set must comply with ECE Regulation 65 and is certified accordingly.
  • The set is mounted so that the light signal is visible from a distance of 20 m around the vehicle. Measured at 1.5 m above the road surface.

For which vehicle categories:

  • Vehicles with at least four wheels and carrying passengers (Cat. M1, M2, M3)
  • Vehicles with at least 4 wheels and carrying goods (Cat. N1, N2, N3)
  • Trailer (Cat. 01, 02, 03, 04)
  • Agricultural and forestry tractors (Cat. T)
  • Off-road mobile machinery (Cat. G.)