RE5: Proposal for amendments to the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories
Document TFSR-03-03
13 March 2018

Proposal under preparation by the Task Force on Substitutes/Retrofits (TF S/R) to introduce a new light emitting diode (LED) substitute light source category PY21W/LED. This proposal is based on document GRE/2017/3 and takes into account proposals in documents WP29/2018/32 and WP29/2018/33.

Status: IWG working draft
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Previous Documents, Discussions, and Outcomes
4.14. | Proposal for amendments to the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (R.E.5)

101. The representative of Belgium, Chair of the Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling (GRE), presented to the World Forum for consideration the proposals for amendments 1 and 2 to the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (R.E.5) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/32 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/33/Rev.1).

102. WP.29 adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/32 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/33/Rev.1 without objections or abstentions. WP.29 noted that Amendment 2 to R.E.5 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/33/Rev.1) should be made public on the same date as the entry into force of Supplement 7 to the original version of UN Regulation No. 128 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/30).

4.14.1. | Proposal for Amendment 1 to the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (R.E.5)
4.14.2. | Proposal for Amendment 2 to the Consolidated Resolution on the common specification of light source categories (R.E.5)
5. | Regulations Nos. 37, 99, 128 and RE5 (light-source specifications)

17. The expert from GTB presented revised amendments to Regulation No. 128 and to R.E.5 which introduced requirements, test specifications and new categories for light emitting diode (LED) substitute light sources (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/17, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/21). The proposals also included collective amendments to Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74, 86 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/22 and GRE-78-02). The experts from Italy and OICA submitted written comments on the proposals (GRE-78-33 and GRE-78-28).

18. GRE noted that, compared to the original GTB proposals that had been considered at the previous session, the revised proposals contained safeguards against the possible misuse of LED substitutes as retrofits in lamps and/or vehicles that were not type approved for using such light sources. A number of experts were of the view that the proposed measures, such as consumer warning on packaging and a website with a list of compatible vehicle models, were not sufficient and reiterated their concerns as raised at the previous session. The expert of OICA pointed out that, to avoid any responsibility for misusing LED substitutes when installing on old vehicle types, the vehicle manufacturers would have be burdened to extend type approvals pursuant to the earlier series of amendments to Regulation No. 48 (GRE-78-28). GRE acknowledged the problem and noted that the failure detection provisions in Regulation No. 48 should be revised. Some experts advocated the idea of physical keying of LED caps to prevent installing unauthorized substitutes.

19. GRE noted that the discussion addressed two different, but interrelated issues: (a) allowing LED substitutes for new type approvals, as part of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Original Equipment Supplier (OES), and (b) using LED as retrofits on old vehicle types. Some experts were of the view that the two cannot be separated from one another. To make progress, GRE agreed to establish a task force. The expert from Germany stated that another expert from his country would act as Chair of the task force, while the expert from UK provisionally agreed to become Co-Chair. The expert from IEC volunteered to provide secretarial support.

5. | Regulations Nos. 37, 99, 128 and RE5

12. The expert from GTB presented proposals for amendments to Regulation No. 128 and to the Consolidated Resolution (R.E.5) which introduce requirements and test specifications for light emitting diode (LED) substitute light sources as well as several new LED substitute light source categories (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/2, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/3, GRE-77-02, GRE-77-03, GRE-77-15, GRE-77-22). These proposals were accompanied by collective amendments to Regulations Nos. 48, 53, 74, 86 with the requirements for LED substitute light sources (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2017/4). The expert from GTB explained that the proposed approach was based on the following principles:

  • Lamps may be approved with a filament light source and its corresponding LED substitute light source, when fitting in the same holder, and providing an equivalent photometric performance;
  • Lamps equipped with LED substitute light sources should be tested with both the filament lamp and the LED substitute light source.

Related and Previous Documents
GRE/2017/3
GRE/2017/17
WP.29/2018/32
WP.29/2018/33/Rev.1
TFSR-01-04
Relates to RE5: Light-source specifications |