ECE R105

What is ECE R105?

ECE R105 is a regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). It sets uniform requirements for the approval of vehicles transporting dangerous goods, specifically focusing on their structural characteristics. These include electrical installation, fire prevention, fuel tank position and braking systems. The standard is part of the broader UNECE vehicle regulations.

A vehicle that meets these requirements and passes the corresponding inspection can receive an ADR approval certificate. R105 thus forms the technical basis for type approval of ADR vehicles. The standard aligns with Chapter 9 of ADR, which describes the construction and approval requirements for these vehicles.

Which vehicles are covered by ECE R105 and ADR?

Not every vehicle transporting hazardous materials needs a separate ADR approval. The transport itself can still be covered by ADR even if the vehicle does not require a separate ADR approval certificate. The approval requirement applies to a number of specific vehicle types, defined in ADR chapter 9.

Please note that the designation OX still appears in older or transitional documentation, for vehicles intended for stabilised hydrogen peroxide (UN 2015, class 5.1). However, in the current ADR approval certificate system, this category is not treated as a separate main group alongside EX/II, EX/III, FL, AT and MEMU.

Vehicles are inspected annually in the country of registration; in the Netherlands the RDW does that. Each vehicle type has its own lighting requirements: read more about explosion-proof lighting for EX/II and EX/III vehicles, ADR lighting for FL tankers and lighting for AT vehicles.

What is the difference between ADR and ECE R105?

This is where a lot of confusion arises. ADR and ECE R105 hang together but regulate different things.

ADR is the European treaty for the international carriage of dangerous goods by road. Among other things, it determines how substances are classified, how they are packaged and labelled and what requirements the transport must meet. ECE R105, on the other hand, deals exclusively with the construction of the vehicle and its type approval.

In other words: ADR is the broader transport regulation, R105 is the technical construction standard that fits within that framework. A vehicle must comply with R105 to be approved as an ADR vehicle, but ADR encompasses much more than just the vehicle itself.

What does ECE R105 mean for vehicle lighting?

This is where it becomes concrete for those who set up the electrical installation. ECE R105 sets strict requirements for the electrical systems on ADR vehicles, precisely because sparks or overheating with flammable loads are life-threatening. Among other things, the standard calls for properly protected cabling, fuses, sufficient insulation and the ability to safely interrupt electrical circuits.

Equipment that is placed in a risk area and remains powered even after the main switch is turned off must be suitable for that application. In certain cases, this may mean that an explosion-proof design or additional standardisation is required. So this does not automatically apply to every light on the vehicle, but specifically to permanently powered equipment in high-risk areas.

In practice, this means that lighting, cabling and connectors must be carefully chosen and fitted within the technical requirements of the vehicle and application. You can find an overview of the requirements in our article on ADR lighting; specifically on cables and mounting, ADR lighting installation goes into more detail on cabling. TRALERT® supplies robust LED lighting and associated components, but the final ADR approval of the complete vehicle remains a matter for the vehicle manufacturer and the inspection authority.

Kismet

Kismet: Special requirements apply to ADR vehicles for the safe disconnection of electrical circuits. It is precisely the components that remain powered after switching off that determine which lighting and cabling can be used safely.

Frequently asked questions on ECE R105 and ADR

Is ECE R105 the same as ADR?

No. ADR is the treaty governing the transport of dangerous goods by road, including classification, packaging and labelling. ECE R105 deals exclusively with vehicle construction and type approvals. So R105 falls within the broader framework of ADR, but only covers part of it.

To which vehicles does ECE R105 apply?

ECE R105 is relevant for vehicle types that require ADR approval, such as EX/II, EX/III, FL, AT and MEMU. These vehicles carry explosives, flammable liquids, gases or other dangerous goods in tanks. Other vehicles are not covered by the separate approval requirement, but the transport may still be covered by ADR.

Does ECE R105 relate to lighting?

Indirectly it does. R105 imposes requirements on the complete electrical installation, including cabling, fuses and insulation. Equipment that remains permanently powered in a high-risk area may require an explosion-proof design. Lighting and connectors must therefore fit within the technical requirements of the vehicle.

What is the difference between ECE R105 and ECE R10?

ECE R105 regulates the construction of hazardous goods vehicles. ECE R10 deals with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC): the extent to which electrical components do not interfere with each other. Both may apply to the same vehicle, but they deal with different technical aspects.

Advice for ADR applications

Questions about lighting, cabling or component selection for ADR applications? Contact the specialists at TRALERT® for personal advice.