1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 1
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►B COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 28June 1977
onthe approximation of the lawsof the Member States relating to rear fog lamps for motor vehicles
and their trailers
(77/538/EEC)
(OJ L 220, 29.8.1977, p. 60)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Council Directive 87/354/EEC of25 June 1987 L 192 43 11.7.1987
►M2Commission Directive 89/518/EEC of1 August 1989 L 265 24 12.9.1989
Amended by:
►A1Act ofAccession ofGreece L 291 17 19.11.1979
►A2Act ofAccession ofSpain and Portugal L 302 23 15.11.1985
Corrected by:
►C1Corrigendum, OJ L 284, 10.10.1978, p. 11 (77/538/EEC)
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COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 28June 1977
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
rear fog lamps for motor vehicles and their trailers
(77/538/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 ofthe European Parliament (1),
Having regard to the opinion ofthe Economic and Social Committee (2),
Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy
pursuant to national laws relate inter alia to their rear fog lamps;
Whereas these requirements differ from one Member State to another;
whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the same
requirements either in addition to or in place oftheir existing rules, in
order, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure whichwas the subject ofCouncil Directive 70/156/EEC of6 February 1970 onthe approximation ofthe laws ofthe Member States relating to the type-approval ofmotor vehicles and their trailers (
3), to be introduced in
respect ofeach type ofvehicle;
Whereas in Directive 76/756/EEC (4), the Council laid down the
common requirements for the installation of lighting and light-signallingdevices on motor vehicles and their trailers;
Whereas a harmonized component type-approval procedure for rear fog
lamps makes it possible for each Member State to check compliancewith the common construction and testing requirements and to inform
the other Member States ofits f indings by sending a copy ofthe
component type-approval certificate completed for each type of rear foglamp; whereas the placing ofan EEC component type-approval mark onall rear fog lamps manufactured in conformity with the approved typeobviates any need for technical checks on these rear fog lamps in theother Member States;
Whereas it is desirable to draft the technical requirements so that they
have the same aim as the work being carried out on the subject in theUN Economic Commission for Europe;
Whereas the approximation ofnational laws relating to motor vehicles
entails reciprocal recognition by Member-States ofthe tests carried outby each ofthem on the basis ofthe common requirements,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
1. Each Member State shall grant EEC component type-approval for
any type of rear fog lamp which satisfies the construction and testingrequirements laid down in Annexes 0, II and III.
2. The Member State which has granted EEC component type-
approval shall take the measures required in order to verify thatproduction models conform to the approved type, in so far as this is
necessary and ifneed be in cooperation with the competent authorities in
the other Member States. Such verification shall be limited to spotchecks.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 2
(1) OJ No C 118, 16. 5. 1977, p. 29.
(2) OJ No C 114, 11. 5. 1977, p. 2.
(3) OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1.
(4) OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 1.
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Article 2
Member States shall for each type of rear fog lamp which they approve
pursuant to Article 1, issue to the manufacturer, or to his authorizedrepresentative, an EEC component type-approval mark conforming tothe model shown in Annex II.
Member States shall take all appropriate measures to prevent the use of
marks liable to create confusion between rear fog 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 ofrear
fog 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 ofrear f og 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 authorities ofeach Member State shall within one month
send to the competent authorities ofthe other Member States a copy ofthe component type-approval certificates, an example of which is given
in Annex I, completed for each type of rear fog lamp which they
approve or refuse to approve.
Article 5
1. Ifthe Member State which has granted EEC component type-
approval finds that a number of rear fog lamps bearing the same EEC
component type-approval mark do not conform to the type which it has
approved, it shall take the necessary measures to ensure that productionmodels conform to the approved type. The competent authorities of thatState shall advise those ofthe other Member States ofthe measurestaken which may, where there is consistent failure to conform, extend to
withdrawal ofEEC component type-approval. The said authorities shall
take the same measures ifthey are inf ormed by the competentauthorities ofanother Member State ofsuch f ailure to conf orm.
2. The competent authorities ofMember States shall inf orm each
other within one month ofany withdrawal ofEEC component type-approval, and ofthe reasons f or such a measure.
Article 6
Any decision taken pursuant to the provisions adopted in implementa-
tion ofthis Directive, to ref use or withdraw EEC component type-approval for a rear fog lamp or prohibit its placing on the market or useshall set out in detail the reasons on which it is based. Such decisionshall be notified to the party concerned, who shall at the same time beinformed of the remedies available to him under the laws in force in the
Member States and ofthe time limits allowed f or the exercise ofsuch
remedies.
Article 7
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national
type-approval ofany vehicle on grounds relating to its rear f og lamps if
these bear the EEC component type-approval mark and are fitted in
accordance with the requirements laid down in Directive 76/756/EEC.
Article 8
No Member State may refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, entry into
service or use ofany vehicle on grounds relating to its rear f og lamps if1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 3
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these bear the EEC component type-approval mark and are fitted in
accordance with the requirements laid down in Directive 76/756/EEC.
Article 9
For the purposes ofthis 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 its
trailers, with the exception ofvehicles which run on rails, agricultural orforestry tractors and machinery and public works vehicles.
Article 10
Any amendments necessary to adjust the requirements ofthe Annexes to
take account oftechnical progress shall be adopted in accordance withthe procedure laid down in Article 13 ofDirective 70/156/EEC.
Article 11
1. Member States shall bring into force the provisions needed in order
to comply with this Directive within 18 months ofits notif ication andshall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
2. Member States shall ensure that the texts ofthe main provisions of
national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive are
communicated to the Commission.
Article 12
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 4
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LIST OF ANNEXES
ANNEX 0: Definitions, general specifications, intensity of light
emitted, test procedure, heat resistance test, colour
oflight emitted, conf ormity ofproduction
ANNEX I: Model EEC component type-approval certificateANNEX II: EEC component type-approval and marking require-
ments
ANNEX III: Photometric measurements1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 5
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ANNEX 0
DEFINITIONS, GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS, INTENSITY OF LIGHT
EMITTED, TEST PROCEDURE, HEAT RESISTANCE TEST, COLOUR
OF LIGHT EMITTED, CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1. The definitions set out in Directive 76/756/EEC of:
— rear fog lamp,
— lamp,— light source with regard to filament lamps,— independent lamps,— grouped lamps,— combined lamps,— reciprocally incorporated lamps,— device,— illuminating surface of a signalling lamp other than a reflex reflector,
— apparent surface,
— light-emitting surface,— axis ofref erence,— centre ofref erence,— single lamp,
shall apply to this Directive.
►
M21.2.◄‘Type of rear fog lamp ’ means rear fog lamps which do not differ
in such essential respects as:
►M21.2.1.◄the trade name or mark;
►M21.2.2.◄the characteristics ofthe optical system;
►M21.2.3.◄the inclusion ofcomponents capable ofaltering the optical
effects by reflection, refraction or absorption;
►M21.2.4.◄the type off ilament lamp.
2. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
2.1. Each sample referred to in 1.2.3 of Annex II shall conform to the
specifications set forth in the sections below.
2.2. The rear fog lamps shall be so designed and constructed that under
normal conditions ofuse, notwithstanding any vibration to which they
may be subjected during such use, their satisfactory operation remains
assured and they retain the characteristics prescribed by this Directive.
3. INTENSITY OF LIGHT EMITTED
3.1. The light emitted by each ofthe two samples ref erred to in 1.2.3 of
Annex II, having met the requirements of5 below, shall be ofnot less
than the minimum intensity and ofnot more than the maximum intensity
specified below and shall be measured in relation to the axis of reference
in the directions shown below (expressed in degrees from the axis of
reference).
3.2. The intensity along the H and V axes, between 10º to the left and 10º to
the right and between 5º up and 5º down, shall not be less than 150 cd.
The intensity between the axes shall not be less than 75 cd.
3.3. The intensity ofthe light emitted in all directions in which the light can
be observed shall not exceed 300 cd.
3.4. The illuminating surface of the lamp shall not exceed 140 cm2.
3.5. Annex III gives particulars ofthe measurement methods to be used.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 6
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4. TEST PROCEDURE
All measurements shall be carried out with a colourless standard filament
lamp of the type recommended for the rear fog lamp and so regulated as
to produce the normal luminous flux prescribed for this type of lamp.
5. HEAT RESISTANCE TEST
5.1. The lamp shall be subjected to a one-hour test ofcontinuous operation
following a warm-up period of 20 minutes. The ambient temperature
shall be 23 ± 5 ºC. The filament lamp used shall be of the category
recommended for the lamp, and shall be supplied with current at a
voltage such that it gives the specified average power at the
corresponding test voltage.
5.2. Where only the maximum power is specified, the test shall be carried out
by regulating the voltage to obtain a power equal to 90 % ofthe specif ied
power. The average or maximum power specified above shall in all cases
be chosen from the voltage range of 6, 12 or 24 V at which it reaches the
highest value.
5.3. After the lamp has been stabilized at the ambient temperature, no
distortion, deformation, cracking or colour modification shall be
perceptible.
6. COLOUR OF LIGHT EMITTED
The device must emit a red light. The colour ofthe light emitted,
measured by using a source oflight at a colour temperature of
►M22 856 K ◄, corresponding to illuminant A ofthe International
Commission on Illumination (CIE), must be within the limits ofthe
following trichromatic coordinates:
limit towards yellow: y ≤0·335
limit towards purple: z ≤0·008.
7. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
Every rear fog lamp being an EEC component type-approval mark must
conform to the type approved and comply with the photometric
conditions specified in 3 and 6. Nevertheless, in the case of a rear fog
lamp picked at random from series production, the requirements as to
minimum intenstiy ofthe light emitted (measured with a standard
filament lamp as referred to in 4) may be limited in each relevant
direction to 80 % ofthe minimum value specif ied in 3.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 7
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ANNEX I
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ANNEX II
EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL AND MARKING REQUIRE-
MENTS
1. APPLICATION FOR EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL
1.1. The application for EEC component type-approval shall be submitted by
the holder ofthe trade name or mark or by his authorized representative.
1.2. For each type ofrear f og lamp, the application shall be accompanied by:
1.2.1. a brieftechnical description stating, in particular, the type(s) off ilament
lamp(s) recommended, which must comply with the specifications of
►C1the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); ◄
1.2.2. drawings (three copies) in sufficient detail to permit identification of the
type and showing, geometrically, the position in which the device is to
be mounted on the vehicle, the axis ofobservation to be taken as the axis
ofref erence in the tests (horizontal angle H = 0º, vertical angle V = 0º),
the point to be taken as the centre ofref erence in the said tests, the
vertical and horizontal tangents to the illuminating surface and their
distance from the centre of reference of the lamp;
1.2.3. two samples; ifthe rear f og lamp is such that it can be mounted only on
one side ofthe 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;
1.2.4. an additional sample to be kept by the laboratory for any subsequent
verification which may prove necessary.
2. MARKINGS
2.1. The samples of a type of rear fog lamp submitted for EEC component
type-approval must bear:
2.1.1. the trade name or mark ofthe applicant, which must be clearly legible
and indelible;
2.1.2. a clearly legible and indelible marking indicating the type(s) off ilament
lamp(s) recommended;
2.1.3. and incorporate a space large enough to contain the EEC component
type-approval mark, including the additional symbols prescribed in 4;
this space shall be shown in the drawings mentioned in 1.2.2.
3. EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL
3.1. Ifthe two samples submitted in accordance with 1.2.3 meet the
requirements ofAnnexes 0, II and III, EEC component type-approval
shall be granted and a component type-approval number assigned.
3.2. This number shall not be assigned to any other type ofrear f og lamp.
3.3. Where EEC component type-approval is requested for a type of lighting
and light-signalling device comprising a rear fog lamp and other lamps, a
single EEC component type-approval ►M2number ◄may be issued
provided that the rear fog lamp complies with the requirements of this
Directive and that each ofthe other lamps f orming part ofthe lighting
and light-signalling device for which EEC component type-approval is
requested, complies with the specific Directive applying to it.
4. MARKS
4.1. Every rear fog lamp conforming to a type approved under this Directive
shall bear an EEC component type-approval mark.
4.2. This mark shall consist ofa rectangle surrounding the letter ‘e’ f ollowed
by the distinguishing number or letters ofthe Member State which has
granted type-approval:
1 for Germany,
2 for France,
3 for Italy,4 for the Netherlands,1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 9
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6 for Belgium,
9 for Spain,
11 for the United Kingdom,13 for Luxembourg,18 for Denmark,21 for Portugal,
EL for Greece,
IRL for Ireland.
It must also include the EEC component type-approval number which
corresponds to the number ofthe EEC component type-approval
certificate issued for the type of rear fog lamp in question (see Annex
I), preceded by two figures indicating the sequence number assigned to
the most recent major technical amendment ofCouncil Directive 77/538/
EEC, on the date when EEC component type-approval was delivered.
For the present Directive, this number is ‘00’.
4.3. The EEC component type-approval mark shall be supplemented by an
additional symbol ‘F’.
4.4. The EEC component type-approval number must be placed in any
convenient position near the rectangle surrounding the letter ‘e’.
4.5. The EEC component type-approval mark and the additional symbol must
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 rear fog lamp(s) is (are)
fitted on the vehicle.
4.6. Examples ofthe EEC component type-approval mark and the additional
symbol are shown in Appendix 1.
The component type approval numbers in accordance with appendix 1 to
Directive 77/538/EEC, in its initial form i.e. without sequence number
‘00’, may however be retained provided that the technical requirements
relating to rear fog lamps are not modified.
4.7. Where a single EEC component type-approval number is issued, as
under 3.3, for a type of lighting and light-signalling device comprising a
rear fog lamp that is grouped, combined or reciprocally incorporated
with other lamps, one EEC component type-approval mark only may be
affixed, consisting of:
— a rectangle surrounding the letter ‘e’ followed by the distinguishing
number or letters ofthe Member State which has granted the type
approval,
— the EEC component type-approval number and, where necessary, the
appropriate arrow.
4.7.1. This EEC component type-approval mark may be placed anywhere on
lamps that are grouped, combined or reciprocally incorporated, provided
that:
4.7.1.1. it is visible when the lamps have been installed;
4.7.1.2. no light-transmitting component ofthe grouped, combined or recipro-
cally incorporated lamps may be removed without the EEC component
type-approval mark being removed at the same time.
4.7.2. The identification symbol for each lamp corresponding to each Directive
pursuant to which EEC component type-approval was granted, together
with the two figures indicating the sequence number referred to in item
4.2, final indent, above and, where necessary, the additional letter ‘D’
must be indicated,
4.7.2.1. either on the appropriate light-emitting surface;
4.7.2.2. or in a group, such that each ofthe grouped, combined or reciprocally
incorporated lamps may be clearly identified.
4.8. The dimensions ofthe various components ofthis mark shall not be less
than the largest of the minimum dimensions specified for individual
markings by the Directives under which the EEC component type-
approval was granted.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 10
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4.9. Examples ofan EEC component type-approval mark f or a lamp that is
grouped, combined or reciprocally incorporated with other lamps are
shown in Appendix 2.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 11
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Appendix1
►M2 Examples ◄of an EEC component type-approval mark
Figure 1
The device bearing the EEC component type-approval mark shown above is a rear fog lamp EEC type-
approved in the United Kingdom (e 11) under the number 1471.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 12
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Figure 2
The device bearing the EEC component type-approval mark shown above is a device comprising a rear
position (side) lamp and a rear fog lamp, EEC type-approved in Belgium (e 6) under the number 00390.
The arrow indicates the side on which the photometric measurements on the rear position (side) lamp
are satisfied up to an angle of 80º H.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 13
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Appendix2
EXAMPLES OF SIMPLIFIED MARKING FOR GROUPED, COMBINED OR RECIPRO-
CALLY INCORPORATED LAMPS
Model A
Model B
Model C
Note: In the above examples the vertical and horizontal lines depict the general shape ofa lamp unit
and do not form part of the component type-approval mark.
The three examples ofEEC component type-approval marks shown above, namely models A, B and C,
represent three possible alternatives for marking a lighting device where two or more lamps form part of
the same set ofgrouped, combined or reciprocally incorporated lamps. They show that the device in
question was EEC type-approved in the Netherlands (e 4) under the number 3333 and consists of:
— a class IA reflex reflector, EEC type-approved pursuant to Directive 76/757/EEC;
— a category 2a rear direction indicator, EEC type-approved pursuant to Directive 76/759/EEC;— a red rear position (side) lamp (R), EEC type-approved pursuant to Directive 76/758/EEC;
— a rear fog lamp (F), EEC type-approved pursuant to this Directive;
— a reversing lamp (AR), EEC type-approved pursuant to Directive 77/539/EEC;— a stop lamp (S1), EEC type-approved pursuant to Directive 76/758/EEC.1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 14
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ANNEX III
PHOTOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
1. During photometric measurements, stray reflections shall be prevented
by appropriate masking.
2. The measurements shall be carried out in such a way as to meet the
following requirements:
2.1. the distance ofmeasurement shall be such that the law ofthe inverse of
the square ofthe distance is applicable;
2.2. the measuring equipment shall be such that the angular aperture ofthe
receiver viewed from the reference centre of the lamp is between 10 ′and
1º;
2.3. the intensity requirement for a particular direction of observation shall be
satisfied if that requirement is met in a direction deviating by not more
than 15′from the direction of observation.
3. The direction H = 0º and V = 0º corresponds to the axis ofref erence
(which, when the lamp is mounted on the vehicle, must be horizontal,
parallel to the median longitudinal plane ofthe vehicle and oriented in
the required direction ofvisibility). It passes through the centre of
reference.
3.1. Intensities outside the axes shall be measured within the rhombus
described by the extreme directions ofmeasurement (see diagram
above).1977L0538 — EN — 17.08.1989 — 004.001 — 15