ECE R148: type approval for signal lighting

ECE R148 covers lighting that sends a signal to other road users. This includes rear lights, brake lights, indicators, position lights, licence plate lights and side marker lights. In contrast, ECE R149 specifically concerns lighting intended to illuminate the road ahead of the vehicle.

ECE R148 governs the approval of the light or light function itself. The requirements for the positioning and installation of lighting on the vehicle are set out in ECE R48. On this page, you can find out which lighting falls under R148, how to recognise an R148 approval, what the difference is between R148, R48, R149 and R10, and which transitional provisions will apply in 2026.

What is ECE R148?

ECE R148 is an international UN regulation for the technical type approval of light-signalling devices that make a vehicle visible or provide information to other road users. The regulation was drawn up within the UNECE and came into force on 15 November 2019.

R148 is a product regulation. It sets out technical requirements for the light itself, such as light output, light distribution, colour, operation, marking and durability. Where and how the lighting is subsequently to be fitted to the vehicle is governed by a different regulation: ECE R48.

R148 is not a static set of regulations. UNECE/WP.29 amends the regulations through amendment series and supplements. It is therefore important for manufacturers, importers and vehicle builders to consider not only ‘R148’ when seeking type approval, but also the series of amendments, the approval date and the applicable transitional provisions.

To which lighting does ECE R148 apply?

ECE R148 covers light-signalling functions that make a vehicle visible or provide other road users with information regarding, for example, braking, turning, position or reversing. The regulation brings together technical requirements from nine older ECE regulations into a single harmonised approval framework.

Lamp function	Previously regulated under
Front and rear position lights, side marker lights and brake lights	R7
Front, rear and side indicators	R6
Licence plate lighting	R4
Reversing lights and manoeuvring lights	R23
Rear fog lamps	R38
Position lights (DRL)	R87
Side marker lights	R91
Parking lights	R77
Light signalling systems for Category L vehicles, such as motorbikes and scooters	R50

R148 is therefore the consolidated approval framework for these light-signalling functions. This does not mean that an existing light with an older R4, R6, R7 or other approval is automatically invalidated by the introduction of R148. Transitional provisions apply to older approvals and previous series of amendments.

The R148 01 series is also being further expanded with new technologies. One example is the reversing projector (RP): a feature that can project a visible light pattern onto the road surface behind the vehicle whilst reversing.

What does ECE R148 mean for lorry, semi-trailer and trailer lighting?

ECE R148 applies to light-signalling devices for motorised vehicles and trailers. For truck, trailer and semi-trailer manufacturers, this is an important practical application of the regulation. Rear lights, brake lights, indicators, rear fog lights, licence plate lights, side marker lights and end-outline marker lights are examples of functions that can be approved under R148.

For lighting in bodybuilding, the combined approval framework offers a practical advantage. A multifunctional rear light unit can be approved for multiple light functions under a single R148 type approval. The function markings on the light then indicate which functions are actually covered by that approval.

However, an R148 approval does not automatically mean that a light may be fitted in every position or on every vehicle. For aspects such as the number of lights, the mounting height, the distance from the outer edge of the vehicle, angles of visibility and electrical circuitry, reference must also be made to ECE R48 and the regulations applicable to the vehicle.

What is the difference between ECE R148, R48, R149 and R10?

You will regularly come across ECE R148, R48, R149 and R10 together in the context of vehicle lighting. They regulate various aspects of the lighting and the vehicle.

Regulations	What it regulates	Level
ECE R148	Technical approval of light signalling systems	Product
ECE R149	Technical approval of lighting designed to illuminate the road and surroundings, such as low beam, high beam and front fog lights	Product
ECE R48	Placement, number, position, visibility and switching of lighting on the vehicle	Vehicle
ECE R10	Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of electrical and electronic equipment	Product / component

The main confusion lies between R148 and ECE R149. As a practical rule of thumb:

• R149 mainly concerns lighting that enables the driver to see the road and surroundings, such as low beams and high beams.
• R148 primarily concerns light signalling functions that make a vehicle visible or provide information to other road users, such as brake lights, indicators, position lights and daytime running lights.

This rule of thumb is not absolute. For example, R148 also covers reversing lights and manoeuvring lights.

ECE R48 is separate from this. This regulation does not determine whether the light is technically approved, but rather how the lighting must be installed on the vehicle: for example, mounting height, position, angles of visibility and electrical circuitry. You can read more about this on our page about ECE R48.

ECE R10 serves a different purpose. It sets requirements for electromagnetic compatibility, ensuring that electrical and electronic equipment does not cause unacceptable electromagnetic interference and is itself sufficiently resistant to electromagnetic influences. A vehicle lamp may therefore hold both R148 and R10 approvals.

How can you recognise an ECE R148 approval mark?

An R148-approved light can be identified by the approval mark on the light or light unit. The conventional mark consists of several parts:

• An E-mark within a circle, followed by the number of the country that granted the approval. For example, E4 stands for the Netherlands, E1 for Germany and E9 for Spain.
• An approval number assigned to the approved type of light.
• One or more function codes indicating the light functions for which the unit is approved.
• Regulation number 148R, with the two digits indicating the series of amendments in force at the time the approval was granted.

The function codes are particularly useful in practice. These codes indicate which light functions are actually covered by the light’s approval.

Designation	Function
RL	Position light (DRL)
A	Front position lamp / front position lamp function
R1, R2	Rear position lamp; R1 constant and R2 variable
S1, S2	Brake light; S1 constant and S2 variable
S3, S4	High-mounted third brake lamp; S3 constant and S4 variable
1, 1a, 1b	Directional indicator
2a, 2b	Rear indicator
5, 6	Side-mounted indicator
AR	Reversing lights
ML	Manoeuvring light
F1, F2	Rear fog light; F1 constant and F2 variable
SM1, SM2	Side marker lights
L	Rear number plate lighting
77R	Parking light
RP	Reversing projector

A multifunctional rear light may feature several function codes listed alongside one another. This makes it immediately clear for which individual functions the unit has been approved under the type approval.

What about the Unique Identifier (UI)?

Earlier versions of R148 provided for the conventional approval mark to be replaced, under certain conditions, by a Unique Identifier (UI). This unique code would allow the corresponding approval information to be accessed in the secure UNECE DETA database.

This requirement has since been amended. In 2025, WP.29 decided that the UI could no longer be used as standard as an alternative to the conventional approval mark. Furthermore, the required UI functionality had not yet been implemented in DETA. In practice, therefore, the conventional E-type approval mark must be used, unless the relevant regulations and the available UNECE infrastructure expressly stipulate otherwise.

Which old ECE regulations have been consolidated into ECE R148?

ECE R148 was developed to consolidate the technical requirements from nine separate regulations governing light-signalling devices:

• R4 - licence plate lighting
• R6 — indicators
• R7 — front and rear position lights, brake lights and end-outline marker lights
• R23 — reversing lights and manoeuvring lights
• R38 - rear fog lights
• R50 — light signalling systems for Category L vehicles
• R77 - parking lights
• R87 - position lights (DRL)
• R91 - side marker lights

The introduction of R148 does not mean that every existing light with an older approval must automatically be replaced. The validity and acceptance of an existing approval depend on the applicable transitional provisions, the date of approval and the context in which the product is used.

What will change from 1 September 2026?

1 September 2026 is an important transition date for the amendment series within R148. From that date, contracting parties applying R148 will no longer be obliged to accept a type approval in accordance with a previous R148 amendment series if that approval was first granted after 1 September 2026.

R148 type approvals in accordance with previous series of amendments, first granted before 1 September 2026, will continue to be accepted under the transitional provisions. There are also exceptions for, amongst other things, replacement parts for vehicles already in use.

This is distinct from the question of whether a light with, for example, an older R6 or R7 approval may still be used. In such a specific application, one must consider the specific type approval, transitional provisions and vehicle application.

Frequently asked questions about ECE R148

Does ECE R148 also apply to trailer lighting?

Yes. ECE R148 also applies to light-signalling devices for trailers and semi-trailers. Rear lights, brake lights, indicators, rear fog lights, licence plate lights and side marker lights can be approved under R148. The final mounting to the trailer or semi-trailer must also comply with the applicable installation requirements.

What is the difference between ECE R148 and ECE R48?

ECE R148 governs the technical type approval of the light or lighting unit. ECE R48 governs the installation of the lighting on the vehicle, such as position, mounting height, angles of visibility, numbers and wiring. In short: R148 concerns the light, whilst R48 concerns its mounting to the vehicle.

Does ECE R148 replace all older light-signalling regulations?

R148 brings together the technical requirements from R4, R6, R7, R23, R38, R50, R77, R87 and R91 into a single regulation. This does not mean that every approval previously granted under one of these regulations is automatically invalid. Transitional provisions apply to existing approvals, and the exact situation must be assessed on a product-by-product and application-by-application basis.

Do rear lights fall under ECE R148 or ECE R48?

Both apply, but to different aspects. R148 determines whether the rear light itself meets the technical approval requirements. R48 then determines whether that rear light is fitted to the vehicle in the correct position and according to the correct configuration. See also our article on the difference between ECE R48 and ECE R148.

What does ‘148R’ mean on a light?

The designation ‘148R’ in the approval mark refers to UN Regulation No. 148. The two digits accompanying the regulation number indicate the series of amendments that were in force at the time the approval was granted. In addition, the light features, amongst other things, the approval number and the function codes for the approved light functions.

Is an old R7 or R6 approval still valid?

The introduction of R148 does not automatically invalidate a previously granted R6 or R7 type-approval. Whether an older approval can still be applied in a specific situation depends on the applicable transitional provisions, the original type approval and the vehicle application. You should therefore always check the full approval mark and the associated approval documentation for existing products.

TRALERT® and ECE R148: a knowledge partner for vehicle builders and distributors

TRALERT® supplies R148-approved lighting for truck, trailer, semi-trailers and commercial vehicles. This includes LED rear lights, indicators, licence plate lights, rear fog lights and complete lighting solutions for professional vehicle manufacturing.

When developing a lighting solution, we do not just look at a single approval mark on a single light. The vehicle application, mounting, other relevant ECE approvals, cabling and desired light functions all play a part.

For complete solutions, our range includes 24-volt trailer plug-&-play kits and 12-volt plug-&-play lighting kits for trailers.

Do you have a specific enquiry about an approval, function code or application? Our specialists will work with you to find the right lighting solution for your vehicle or project.

You may also be interested in: ECE R48 and R148 compared

Official sources on ECE R148

For the technical and legal explanations on this page, we use the original UNECE and EU publications wherever possible. Please note that only the official UN/ECE texts are legally binding and that R148 is subject to ongoing amendments.

• EUR-Lex: UN Regulation No. 148 – Light-signalling devices
• UNECE: Supplement 5 to the 01 series of UN Regulation No. 148
• UNECE: amendment to the provisions concerning the Unique Identifier (UI)