ECE R113

Standard for high beam driving lights

What is ECE R113?

This standard managed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). This standard sets the technical requirements for driving lights used as high beams on vehicles.

Main categories of driving lights according to ECE R113

The ECE R113 standard divides driving lights into three classes, depending on their beam and application:

1. Class A driving lights: Designed for use in urban areas with a limited beam of illumination.
2. Class B driving lights: Offer a medium lighting beam and are suitable for both urban and rural use.
3. Class C driving lights: These are the most powerful driving lights with a long range, ideal for use on motorways and remote roads.

Applications of ECE R113 driving lights

ECE R113 driving lights are used in various situations where additional lighting is required:

Driving lights for truck

For truck, ECE R113 driving lights are essential for improving visibility over long distances, especially when driving on motorways or in dark, remote areas. Truck drivers who often drive at night or cover long distances benefit from the powerful beam these driving lights provide. They help identify obstacles and potential hazards in time, contributing to road safety.

Driving lights for off-road vehicles

Off-road vehicles, such as SUVs, off-road vehicles and 4×4s, also benefit from ECE R113 driving lights. These driving lights provide excellent visibility on rough terrain without street lights. They lighten obstacles such as rocks, trees and other hazards. This allows drivers to safely navigate through difficult areas.

Differences between R113 and R112

Both relate to vehicle lighting, yet with different purposes and areas of application:

ECE R113: Specific for driving lights (High beam)

• Purpose: The standard sets requirements for driving lights to provide a powerful and far-reaching beam without blinding other road users. It is ideal for use on motorways, remote roads, and off-road situations.
• Truck requirements: ECE R113 requires strict tests for light intensity, beam uniformity, and environmental resistance, such as water and dust tightness. In practice, IP values of IP67 or IP69K are often recommended for ECE R113-compliant vehicle lighting, as these IP values indicate that the lighting is sufficiently protected against dust and water.

ECE R112: For low beam and high beam with standard headlights

• Purpose: This standard specifies the technical requirements for headlights capable of providing both low beam and high beam. Low beam lights are designed to illuminate the road in front of the driver without blinding oncoming traffic, while high beam lights provide maximum lighting for use without traffic.
• Truck requirements: Under ECE R112, headlights must meet requirements for both light intensity (LUX) and light distribution, with a focus on minimising glare and providing sufficient lighting.

Which standard do you need?

The choice between ECE R113 and ECE R112 depends on your specific needs:

• Road use: If you are looking for standard headlights to provide both low beam and high beam, ECE R112 is the right choice. This standard ensures that your vehicle meets the legal requirements for regular road use.
• Additional lighting for specific applications: If you want to install additional driving lights for use on motorways, in remote areas or off-road, they should have ECE R113 or ECE R149 (you can read more about this in the next paragraph) approval. They provide the powerful lighting needed for maximum visibility in challenging driving conditions.

Important: The ECE R149 replaces

Since 2021, the ECE R149 has come into force, meaning that the R113 standard is no longer the primary reference for driving lights. Manufacturers and users of vehicle lighting must now comply with the requirements of R149. This applies only to new driving lights placed on the market since this standard came into force.

External source: For further details on ECE R113 and other lighting standards, visit the official UNECE website.