1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 1
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►B COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of28June1977
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to reversing lamps for motor
vehiclesandtheirtrailers
(77/539/EEC)
(OJ L 220, 29.8.1977, p. 72)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Council Directive 87/354/EEC of 25 June 1987 L 192 43 11.7.1987
►M2Commission Directive 97/32/EC of 11 June 1997 L 171 63 30.6.1997
Amended by:
►A1Act of Accession of Greece L 291 17 19.11.1979
►A2Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal L 302 23 15.11.1985
►A3Act of Accession of Austria, Sweden and Finland C 241 21 29.8.1994
(adapted by Council Decision 95/1/EC, Euratom, ECSC) L 1 1 1.1.1995
►A4Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic, the
Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia,the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of
Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak
Republic and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the EuropeanUnion isfoundedL 236 33 23.9.2003
Corrected by:
►C1Corrigendum, OJ L 284, 10.10.1978, p. 11 (77/539/EEC)
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COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of28June1977
on the approximationof the lawsofthe Member States relating to
reversing lampsformotorvehiclesandtheirtrailers
(77/539/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (
1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),
Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy
pursuant to national laws relate inter alia to their reversing lamps;
Whereasthes e requirementsdiffer from one Member State to another;
whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the samerequirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules, inorder, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure whichwasthe s ubject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970
on the approximation of the lawsof the Member Statesrelating to the
type-approval of motor vehiclesand their trailers(
3), to be introduced
in respect of each type of vehicle;
Whereasin Directive 76/756/EEC (4), the Council laid down the
common requirements for the installation of lighting and light-signal-
ling deviceson motor vehiclesand their trailers ;
Whereasa harmonized component type-approval procedure for rever-
sing lamps makes it possible for each Member State to checkcompliance with the common construction and testing requirementsand to inform the other Member Statesof itsfindingsby s ending acopy of the component type-approval certificate completed for each
type of reversing lamp; whereas the placing of an EEC component
type-approval mark on all reversing lamps manufactured in conformitywith the approved type obviatesany need for technical checkson thes ereversing lamps in the other Member States;
Whereasit isdes irable to take into account the technical requirements
adopted by the UN Economic Commission for Europe in its Regulation
No 23 (‘Uniform provisions concerning the approval of reversing lightsfor power-driven vehiclesand their trailers ’) (
5) which isannexed to the
Agreement of 20 March 1958 concerning the adoption of uniformconditionsfor approval and reciprocal recognition of approval formotor vehicle equipment and parts;
Whereasthe approximation of national lawsrelating to motor vehicles
entailsreciprocal recognition by Member Statesof the tes tscarried outby each of them on the basis of the common requirements,1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 2
(1) OJ No C 118, 16. 5. 1977, p. 29.
(2) OJ No C 114, 11. 5. 1977, p. 3.
(3) OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1.
(4) OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 1.
(5) Economic Commission for Europe document E/ECE/324/E/ECE/TRANS/
505/Rev. 1/Add 22, 20. 8. 1971.
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HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
1. Each Member State shall grant EEC component type-approval for
any type of reversing lamp which satisfies the construction and testingrequirementslaid down in the relevant Annexes .
2. The Member State which hasgranted EEC component type-
approval shall take the measures required in order to verify thatproduction modelsconform to the approved type, in s o far asthisisnecessary and if need be in cooperation with the competent authoritiesin the other Member States. Such verification shall be limited to spot
checks.
Article 2
Member States shall for each type of reversing lamp which they
approve pursuant to Article 1, issue to the manufacturer an EEC
component type-approval mark conforming to the model shown in
Annex I, Appendix 3.
Member States shall take all appropriate measures to prevent the use of
marks liable to create confusion between reversing lamps which have
been type-approved pursuant to Article 1, and other devices.
Article 3
1. No Member State may prohibit the placing on the market of
reversing lamps on grounds relating to their construction or method offunctioning if they bear the EEC component type-approval mark.
2. Nevertheless, a Member State may prohibit the placing on the
market of reversing lamps bearing the EEC component type-approval
mark which consistently fail to conform to the approved type.
That State shall inform the other Member States and the Commission
forthwith of the measures taken, specifying the reasons for its decision.
Article 4
The competent authoritiesof the Member Statess hall inform each
other, by meansof the procedure s pecified in Article 4 (6) of Directive
70/156/EEC, of each approval which they have granted, refused orwithdrawn pursuant to this Directive.
Article 5
1. If the Member State which hasgranted EEC component type-
approval finds that a number of reversing lamps bearing the sameEEC component type-approval mark do not conform to the type whichit has approved, it shall take the necessary measures to ensure thatproduction modelsconform to the approved type. The competent
authorities of that State shall advise those of the other Member States
of the measures taken which may, where there is consistent failure toconform, extend to withdrawal of EEC component type-approval. Thesaid authorities shall take the same measures if they are informed bythe competent authoritiesof another Member State of s uch failure toconform.
2. The competent authoritiesof Member Statess hall inform each
other within one month of any withdrawal of EEC component type-approval, and of the reasons for such a measure.1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 3
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Article 6
Any decision taken pursuant to the provisions adopted in implementa-
tion of thisDirective, to refus e or withdraw EEC component type-
approval for a reversing lamp or prohibit its placing on the market or
use shall set out in detail the reasons on which it is based. Such deci-sions shall be notified to the party concerned, who shall at the sametime be informed of the remediesavailable to him under the lawsinforce in the Member Statesand of the time limitsallowed for the exer-cise of such remedies.
Article 7
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national
type-approval of any vehicle on groundsrelating to itsrevers ing lamps
if these bear the EEC component type-approval mark and are fitted in
accordance with the requirementslaid down in Directive 76/756/EEC.
Article 8
No Member State may refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, entry
into service or use of any vehicle on grounds relating to its reversinglampsif thes e bear the EEC component type-approval mark and arefitted in accordance with the requirementslaid down in Directive 76/756/EEC.
Article 9
For the purposes of this Directive, ‘vehicle’ means any motor vehicle
intended for use on the road, with or without bodywork, having at least
four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h, and itstrailers, with the exception of vehicles which run on rails and of agri-cultural and forestry tractors and all mobile machinery.
Article 10
Any amendments necessary to adjust the requirements of the Annexes
to take account of technical progress shall be adopted in accordance
with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of Directive 70/156/EEC.
Article 11
1. Member States shall bring into force the provisions needed in
order to comply with thisDirective within 18 monthsof itsnotification
and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
2. Member States shall ensure that the texts of the main provisions
of national law which they adopt in the field covered by thisDirectiveare communicated to the Commission.
Article 12
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 4
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LISTOFANNEXES
ANNEX I: Administrative provisions for type approval
Appendix 1: Information document
Appendix 2: Type-approval certificate
Appendix 3: Modelsof the EC component type-
approval mark
ANNEX II: Scope and technical requirements1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 5
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ANNEX I
ADMINISTRATIVEPROVISIONSFORTYPEAPPROVAL
1. APPLICATION FOR EC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL
1.1. The application for EC component type-approval pursuant to Article 3
(4) of Directive 70/156/EEC of a type of reversing lamp shall be
submitted by the manufacturer.
1.2. A model for the information document isgiven in Appendix 1.1.3. The following must be submitted to the technical service responsible
for conducting the type-approval tests:
1.3.1. Two samples equipped with the lamp or lamps recommended. If the
devices are not identical but are symmetrical and suitable for mounting
one on the left and one on the right side of the vehicle, the two samples
submitted may be identical and be suitable for mounting only on the
right or only on the left side of the vehicle.
2. MARKINGS
2.1. The devices submitted for EC component type-approval must bear:2.1.1. the trade name or mark of the manufacturer;2.1.2. if necessary in order to prevent any mistake in mounting the reversing
lamp on the vehicle, bear the word ‘TOP’ marked horizontally on the
uppermost part of the illuminating surface;
2.1.3. in the case of lamps with replaceable light sources: the type(s) of fila-
ment lamp prescribed;
2.1.4. in the case of lamps with non-replaceable light sources: the nominal
voltage and wattage.
2.2. These markings shall be clearly legible and indelible and shall be
affixed to the illuminating surface, or to one of the illuminating
surfaces, of the device. They shall be visible from the exterior when
the device isfitted to the vehicle.
2.3. Each device shall have sufficient space for the component type-
approval mark. Thiss pace
3. GRANTING OF EC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL
3.1. If the relevant requirements are satisfied, EC type-approval pursuant to
Article 4 (3) and, if applicable, 4 (4) of Directive 70/156/EEC shall be
granted.
3.2. A model for the EC type-approval certificate isgiven in Appendix 2.3.3. An approval number in accordance with Annex VII to Directive 70/156/
EEC shall be assigned to each type of reversing lamp approved. The
same Member State shall not assign the same number to another type
of reversing lamp.
3.4. Where EC component type approval isreques ted for a type of lighting
and light-signalling device comprising a reversing lamp and other
lamps, a single EC component type-approval number may be assigned
provided that the reversing lamp complies with the requirements of this
Directive and that each of the other lampsforming part of the lighting
and light-signalling device for which EC component type approval is
requested complies with the separate Directive applying to it.
4. EC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL MARK
4.1. In addition to the markingsreferred to in item 2.1 every revers ing lamp
conforming to the type approved pursuant to this Directive shall bear an
EC component type-approval mark.
4.2. This mark shall consist of:4.2.1. a rectangle surrounding the letter ‘e’ followed by the distinguishing
number or lettersof the Member State which hasgranted type approval:
1 for Germany
2 for France3 for Italy1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 6
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4 for the Netherlands
5 for Sweden6 for Belgium
7 for Hungary
8 for the Czech Republic
9 for Spain
11 for the United Kingdom12 for Austria13 for Luxembourg17 for Finland18 for Denmark
20 for Poland
21 for Portugal
23 for Greece
26 for Slovenia
27 for Slovakia29 for Estonia32 for Latvia36 for LithuaniaCY for Cyprus
IRL for Ireland
MT for Malta;
4.2.2. in the vicinity of the rectangle the ‘base approval number’ contained in
section 4 of the type-approval number referred to in Annex VII of
Directive 70/156/EEC, preceded by the two figuresindicating the
sequence number assigned to the most recent major technical amend-
ment to Directive 77/539/EEC on the date EEC type approval was
granted. In thisDirective the s equence number is00;
4.2.3. an additional symbol consisting of the letters ‘A’ and ‘R’, mingled as
shown in figure 1 of Appendix 3.
4.2.4. On lamps of which the visibility angles are asymmetrical with regard to
the reference axisin a horizontal direction, an arrow pointing towards
the side on which the photometric specifications are met up to an angle
of 45º H.
4.3. The EC component type-approval mark shall be affixed to the lens of
the lamp or one of the lenses in such a way as to be indelible and
clearly legible even when the lampsare fitted to the vehicle.
4.4. Examplesof the EC component type-approval mark are given in
Appendix 3, Figure 1.
4.5. Where a single EC component type-approval number is issued, as per
item 3.4 above, for a type of lighting and light-signalling device
comprising a reversing lamp and other lamps, a single EC component
type-approval mark may be affixed, consisting of:
4.5.1. a rectangle surrounding the letter ‘e’ followed by the distinguishing
number or lettersof the Member State which hasgranted type approval
(see item 4.2.1);
4.5.2. the base approval number (see item 4.2.2, first half-sentence);
4.5.3. if necessary, the required arrow, in so far as it relates to the lamp
assembly as a whole.
4.6. Thismark may be located anywhere on the lampswhich are grouped,
combined or reciprocally incorporated, provided that:
4.6.1. it is visible after the installation of the lamps;1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 7
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4.6.2. no light-transmitting components of the grouped, combined or recipro-
cally incorporated lamps can be removed without simultaneously
removing the approval mark.
4.7. The identification symbol for each lamp corresponding to each Direc-
tive pursuant to which EC component type approval was granted,
together with the sequence number (see item 4.2.2, second half-
sentence) and, where necessary, the letter ‘D’ and the required arrow
shall be marked:
4.7.1. either on the appropriate light-emitting surface;4.7.2. or in a group, in such a way that each of the grouped, combined or reci-
procally incorporated lampsmay be clearly identified.
4.8. The dimensions of the components of this mark must not be less than
the minimum dimensions specified for individual marks by the various
Directivespurs uant to which EC component type approval wasgranted.
4.9. Examplesof an EC component type-approval mark for a lamp that is
grouped, combined or reciprocally incorporated with other lampsare
given in Appendix 3, Figure 2.
5. MODIFICATIONS OF THE TYPE AND AMENDMENTS TO
APPROVALS
5.1. In the case of modifications of the type approved pursuant to this Direc-
tive, the provisions of Article 5 of Directive 70/156/EEC shall apply.
6. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
6.1. As a general rule, measures to ensure the conformity of production shall
be taken in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 10 of
Directive 70/156/EEC.
6.2. Every reversing lamp shall comply with the photometric conditions
specified in paragraphs 6 and 8 (
1). Nevertheless, in the case of a rever-
sing lamp selected at random from series production, the requirements
as to minimum intensity of the light emitted (measured with a standard
filament lamp asreferred to in paragraph 7 (1) shall be limited in each
relevant direction to 80 % of the minimum value prescribed in para-
graph 6 (1).1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 8
(1) Of the documentsreferred to in point 2.1 of Annex II of the pres ent Directive.
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Appendix 1
InformationdocumentNo…
relatingtotheECcomponenttype-approvalofreversing lamps
(Directive 77/539/EEC, as last amended by Directive …/…/EC)
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Appendix 2
MODEL
(maximum format: A4 (210×297 mm))
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Appendix 3
EXAMPLES OF THE EC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL MARK
Figure1
The device bearing the EC component type-approval mark shown above is a
reversing lamp, type approved in Germany (e1) pursuant to this Directive (00)
under the base approval number 1471. The arrow indicates the side on which the
required photometric specifications are met up to an angle of 45º H.1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 14
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Figure2
Simplifiedmarkingofgrouped,combinedorreciprocallyincorporatedlampswhentwoormore
lampsarepartofthesameassembly
(The vertical and horizontal lines schematize the shape of the light-signalling device. These are not
part of the approval mark).
MODEL A
MODEL B
MODEL C
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Note: The three examples of approval marks, models A. B. and C represent
three possible variants of the marking of a lighting and light-signalling
device when two or more lampsare part of the s ame unit of grouped,
combined or reciprocally incorporated lamps. This approval marks shows
that the device wasapproved in Germany (el) under the bas e approval
number 1712 and comprises:
A retro reflector of class IA approved in accordance with Directive 76/
757/EEC, sequence No 02;
A rear direction indicator of category 2a approved in accordance with
Conseil Directive 76/759/EEC (OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 32);
A red rear position lamp (R) approved in accordance with Annex II to
Council Directive 76/758/EEC (OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 70),
sequence No 02;
A rear fog lamp (F) approved in accordance with Council Directive 77/
538/EEC (OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 54);
A reversing lamp (AR) approved in accordance with Directive 77/539/
EEC, sequence No 00;
A stop lamp with two levels of intensity (S2) approved in accordance
with Annex II to Directive 76/758/EEC sequence No 02;
A rear registration plate lamp (L) approved in accordance with Council
Directive 76/760/EEC (OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 85), sequence No
00.1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 16
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ANNEX II
SCOPEANDTECHNICALREQUIREMENTS
1. SCOPE
ThisDirective appliesto revers ing lampsfor motor vehiclesand their
trailers.
2. TECNICAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1. The technical requirements are those set out in paragraphs 1, 5 to 8 and
Annexes 3 and 4 of UN-ECE Regulation No 23 which consists of a
consolidation of the following documents:
— the Regulation in itsoriginal form (00) incorporating Supplements1
to 4 to Regulation No 23 and a Correction (1);
— Supplement 5 to Regulation 23 (2);
except that:
2.1.1. Where reference ismade to ‘Regulation No 48’, thiss hall be under-
stood as ‘Directive 76/756/EEC’.
2.1.2. Where reference ismade to ‘Regulation No 37’, thiss hall be under-
stood as ‘Annex VII to Directive 76/761/EEC’.
2.1.3. In paragraph 6.4, penultimate section, the sentence ‘(see paragraph 2 of
this Regulation)’ shall be understood as ‘(see Appendix 1 of Annex I to
thisDirective)’.
2.1.4. In paragraph 6.4, last section, the sentence ‘a statement in paragraph 11
“Comments” of the Communication form (see Annex I to this Regula-
tion)’ shall be understood as ‘a statement in the Addendum to the type-
approval certificate (see Appendix 2 of Annex I to this Directive)’.1977L0539 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 17
(1)E/ECE/324/C148/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C150Rev.1/Add. 22/Rev. 1.E/ECE/TRANS/505
(2)E/ECE/324/C148/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C150Rev. 1/Add. 22/Rev. 1/Amend. 1.E/ECE/TRANS/505