ECE regulation 65

What is ECE regulation 65?

ECE R65 (UN Regulation No. 65) defines international requirements for warning lamps on vehicles and 12V semi-trailers. The standard defines minimum light output, light distribution, light colour and standardised test methods. An R65-approved beacon light (beacon), flashing light or beacor bar meets visibility requirements so that other road users recognise the warning signal in time and adjust their driving behaviour.

ECE R65 is applied to beacons, flashing beacons, beacon lights and other warning lights.

When a vehicle with R65 lighting is in use, other road users know that there is a special traffic situation and can adjust their driving behaviour accordingly. Only flashing lights and beacons officially certified to ECE standards may be used within the EU. Not every light automatically complies with these requirements; using non-certified lights can result in violation of traffic regulations.

Would you like to know more about the practical application of these regulations and which products comply with them? Then read our extensive blog: All about R65 signal lights.

ECE R65 certified

It is important that warning lights are clearly visible to other road users. Flashing beacons and flashing lights must therefore comply with ECE Regulation 65 (UN Regulation No. 65) when used as optical warning lights on vehicles.

ECE R65 sets technical requirements for, among others:

Light output (candela) of the light

• light distribution around the light
• Colour of warning light (e.g. amber or blue)
• and the test methods used to check these features.

During type approval, the light's photometric features are measured according to fixed measurement procedures. This involves determining the light output at various horizontal and vertical angles around the light. These measurements take place at a distance of at least 25 metres from the light's reference point to ensure reliable measurements of light intensity.

ECE R65 certification confirms that optical warning lamps meet international vehicle visibility requirements. The standard defines minimum light output (candela), light distribution around the light, permitted light colours such as amber or blue, and standardised testing methods.

During type approvals, laboratories measure the light's photometric features at different horizontal and vertical angles at a minimum distance of 25 metres. An ECE R65-approved beacon ensures that other road users recognise the warning signal in time. Provided it is fitted according to the correct mounting instructions.

To which vehicles does ECE R65 apply?

ECE Regulation 65 relates to optical warning lights that can be fitted to various vehicle types. The regulations apply to warning lights used on vehicles and 12V semi-trailers within UNECE vehicle categories.

The standard can apply to warning lights mounted on, among others:

Mobile machines and special vehicles
such as vehicles used in construction, infrastructure or agriculture.

Motor vehicles with four or more wheels
(categories M1, M2, M3 and N1, N2, N3)

Semi-Trailers and semi-trailers
(categories O1, O2, O3 and O4)

Agriculture and forestry tractors
(Category T)

Frequently asked questions about ECE R65 lighting:

What is ECE R65 approval?

This means that an optical warning device has been officially tested and certified against European standards for light output and visibility. Every approved product bears a marking with an E-number, which refers to the country where the product has been approved.

Which vehicles must use R65 lighting?

Vehicles that fall under special tasks or safety work may use this lighting. These include recovery vehicles, agricultural machinery, road inspectors and transport escorts. The lighting should only be used when safety requires it.

What does R65 lighting have to comply with?

R65 lighting should have minimum light output and wide visibility. The light must be detectable 360° horizontally and 8° vertically and provide sufficient intensity to warn effectively both day and night. Note that depending on the required application and the environment in which the vehicle is used, a distinction is made between ECE R65 Class 1 and ECE R65 Class 2. You can read exactly what the differences are between these classes in our in-depth blog on ECE R65 Class 2.

What does TA1 / TA2 mean at ECE R65?

An ECE R65 marking often shows a code such as TA1 or TA2. This designation provides information about the type of warning lamp and the light class.

The letter T refers to Category T, which means that the light is a rotating or flashing warning light with light distribution around it.

The letter A stands for the light colour amber (orange).

The number 1 or 2 then indicates the light class:

• TA1 = Category T, amber colour, Class 1
• TA2 = Category T, amber colour, Class 2

This marking makes it easy to check whether a beacon meets the correct ECE R65 certification for the desired application.

How do you recognise approved ECE R65 lights?

Approved lights are marked, such as E9 65R TA1. T = category T, A = amber, 1 = class 1, which indicates that the product has been officially tested and complies with European regulations. Always check this certification mark before purchasing or installing lighting.

Are ECE R65 flashing beacons mandatory?

As soon as a vehicle uses warning lights on public roads within Europe, certification according to ECE R65 is mandatory. This guarantees that the light meets the legal requirements for intensity, visibility and dispersion.

Requirements flashing light with magnetic base

Flashing beacons with a magnetic base are subject to separate requirements within ECE R65 that are laid down in Annex 9 of the regulations. These provisions are intended to ensure that a magnetically attached flashing light remains safely in position even under load - such as wind pressure, vibrations or sudden braking. The standard describes exactly on what material, under what conditions and with what test load the light should be assessed.

The standard requires a magnetically attached beacon to remain securely in place on a metal surface with predetermined features, such as steel of appropriate strength, a minimum plate thickness and a protected coating. During the test, the light is exposed to a horizontal shock pulse of 16 g for 30 ms, during which it is not allowed to move more than 200 mm.

What is the difference between ECE R65 and ECE R10?

The ECE R65 standard relates to lighting performance such as visibility and intensity. The ECE R10 standard focuses on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), i.e. that the lighting does not cause interference to electronic systems of the vehicle.

Mounting of ECE R65 lighting on vehicles (ECE R48)

While ECE R65 describes the technical performance of the warning lamp itself, ECE Regulation 48 defines how lighting should be installed on a vehicle. This regulation sets out the installation requirements for lighting and light-signalling devices on vehicles.

For warning lamps, this means, among other things, that the light must be mounted so that it is sufficiently visible around the vehicle and not blocked by vehicle parts such as the cab, bodywork or cargo. ECE R48 thereby describes the geometric visibility of lighting at horizontal and vertical angles so that the warning signal remains clearly perceptible from different directions.

In practice, flashing lights or beacons are therefore usually mounted on the highest point of the vehicle, such as the cabin roof, to ensure the widest possible field of vision.

TRALERT® lighting with ECE R65 certification

Take a look at our wide range of lighting with ECE R65 certification. Think of a LED bar with flash, flashers for in the grill of your vehicle, a beacon or a driving light with flash. We even have work lights with warning light functions.

Disclaimer:

At TRALERT®, we do our best to keep the information in this article as accurate and up-to-date as possible, including the regulations surrounding vehicle lighting. However, legislation can change regularly, and although we make every effort to implement these changes in a timely manner, it is possible that certain updates or adjustments have not yet been incorporated into this article. We therefore always advise our readers to check the current legislation with their local government or regulatory bodies, especially when it comes to exceptions or specific national regulations. TRALERT® is not liable for any damages or fines resulting from outdated or incomplete information in this article.

If in doubt, always contact the competent authority to ensure that your vehicle meets all legal requirements.