Document GRSG/2018/6
UN R121: Proposal for Supplement 10 to the original series of amendments and Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments
Status: Superseded
Submitted by OICA

Proposal pursuant to discussions on the application of footnote 18 under Table 1 concerning tell-tale symbols and the use of colours to convey different meanings. ISO standard 2575-2004, para. 5.1. allows for the use of different colours to convey a change in the operating condition. This proposal would remove the current footnote 18 text and application of the footnote to telltales 2, 9-12, and 19 pending a decision on the proposal to apply a revised footnote to the master lighting switch (tell-tale 1). Paragraph 5.4.1.1. of UN R121 references ISO 2575-2004 which was developed to simplify the application of UN R121 when colour changes are adopted in other UN Regulations; however, OICA submits that the footnote which references ISO 2575-2004 in relation to specific lighting devices or systems creates a degree of confusion. (If approved, this proposal would likely impact Supplement 3 to the 01 series rather than Supplement 2 given that WP.29 at its November 2017 session adopted the proposal to add a telltale and symbols for “Accident Emergency Call System (AECS)” and to align UN R121 with the 07 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 as Supplement 2 to the 01 series.)

Discussions and Outcomes
117th GRSG session (8-11 Oct 2019)
GRSG/2019/17

55. The expert from OICA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2019/17 to use more colours to convey information via existing tell-tales. Upon request by experts from different contracting parties, she explained the principle colour coding, namely “green” for function running, “yellow” for information warning, “red” for danger warning, “white” for information and “blue” for information of high beam.

56. GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2019/17 and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft supplement 04 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 121 for consideration at their March 2020 sessions.

116th GRSG session (8-12 Apr 2019)

49. The expert from the Republic of Korea recalled the discussion on GRSG-115-14-Rev.1 at the previous session, to add into UN Regulation No. 121 a new symbol for “power on/power off” controls in vehicles equipped with an electric powertrain, such as electric vehicles. He thanked GRSG for the comments received, concluded that the current symbol in the UN Regulation was sufficient and that no further follow-up was necessary.

50. GRSG endorsed the request by OICA to defer discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/6 to a further session.

51. GRSG agreed to resume consideration on this item at its next session in October 2019.

115th GRSG session (9-12 Oct 2018)

51. The expert from OICA recalled the discussion (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/6) at the previous GRSG session on the handling of colour changes of controls, tell-tales and indicators by deleting footnote 18 to table 1 and inserting only a reference to standard ISO 2575. Underlining the importance of colour for tell-tales, the expert from France preferred to keep footnote 18. The expert from OICA offered to review the proposal and to insert a new footnote for the tell-tales that impose colour. GRSG agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session on the basis of a revised document jointly prepared by the experts from France and OICA.

114th GRSG session (9-13 Apr 2018)

43. Recalling discussions at the previous GRSG session on the handling of colour changes of controls, tell-tales and indicators, the expert from OICA presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/6 as a long-term solution. He explained that the proposal aimed to remove the references in Table 1 to footnote 18 and to only keep the reference to standard ISO 2575:2004. GRSG noted study reservations by the experts from France and the United Kingdom. GRSG agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session.

174th WP.29 session (12-16 Mar 2018)
WP.29/2018/25
WP.29/2018/26
This proposal (WP.29/2018/25) was adopted by the World Forum. Thirty-seven Contracting Parties out of the 51 applying UN R121 were present for the vote by AC.1. Thirty-seven voted in favor with zero against and zero abstaining. This proposal (WP.29/2018/26) was adopted by the World Forum. Thirty-seven Contracting Parties out of the 51 applying UN R121 were present for the vote by AC.1. Thirty-seven voted in favor with zero against and zero abstaining.
113th GRSG session (10-13 Oct 2017)
GRSG-113-39
GRSG-113-42
GRSG/2017/18

49. The expert from OICA presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/18 to clarify footnote 18 where tell-tales Nos. 1 and 19 were combined. Some experts were of the opinion that footnote 12 already offers that possibility. Following the discussion, the expert from OICA offered an alternative proposal GRSG-113-39 that simplifies the handling of colour changes of tell-tales and to remove footnote 18 and all references to it. The expert from France preferred to keep the existing text of footnote 18 and to only insert under symbol No. 1 a reference to footnote 18, as reflected in GRSG-113-42. GRSG agreed to go forward with a two-step approach and adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/18 as reproduced below.

No.Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
ItemSymbol 2FunctionIlluminationColour
1.Master lighting switch


Tell-tale may not act as the tell-tale for the position (side) lamps

Master Lighting Switch Symbol1, 18ControlNo
Tell-tale 12YesGreen

50. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1 as draft Supplement 10 to the original series of amendments and Supplement 3 to the 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 121 for consideration at their March 2018 sessions, subject to the endorsement of the Working Party on Lighting and Light Signalling (GRE) at its October 2017 session. (Note by the secretariat: At its seventy-eighth session, GRE endorsed the principles for amending UN Regulation No. 121 as proposed by GRSG.)

51. As a second step, GRSG requested the secretariat to distribute GRSG-113-39 with an official symbol, for consideration at the next GRSG session and to also circulate it all WP.29 Working Parties concerned.