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"BCOUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 28 June 1977
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to reversing lamps for motor
vehicles and their trailers
(77/539/EEC)
(OJ L 220, 29.8.1977, p. 72)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
"A1 Act of Accession of Greece L 291 17 19.11.1979
Corrected by:
"C1 Corrigendum, OJ L 284, 10.10.1978, p. 11 (77/539/EEC)1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 1
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 28 June 1977
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
reversing lamps for motor vehicles and their trailers
(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;
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 of their existing rules, in
order, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure which was
the subject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the
type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers (3), to be introduced
in respect of each type of vehicle;
Whereas in Directive 76/756/EEC (4), the Council laid down the
common requirements for the installation of lighting and light-signalling
devices on motor vehicles and their trailers;
Whereas a harmonized component type-approval procedure for reversing
lamps makes it possible for each Member State to check compliance with
the common construction and testing requirements and to inform the
other Member States of its findings by sending a copy 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 conformity with the approved type
obviates any need for technical checks on these reversing lamps in the
other Member States;
Whereas it is desirable 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 lights
for power-driven vehicles and their trailers’) (5) which is annexed to the
Agreement of 20 March 1958 concerning the adoption of uniform
conditions for approval and reciprocal recognition of approval for motor
vehicle equipment and parts;
Whereas the approximation of national laws relating to motor vehicles
entails reciprocal recognition by Member States of the tests carried out
by each of them on the basis of the common requirements,
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 testing
requirements laid down in Annexes 0, II, III and IV .!B
(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. 1971.1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 2
2. The Member State which has granted EEC component type-approval
shall take the measures required in order to verify that production models
conform to the approved type, in so far as this is necessary and if need be
in cooperation with the competent authorities in 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, or to his authorized
representative, an EEC component type-approval mark conforming to the
model shown in Annex II.
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 of
functioning 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 authorities of each Member State shall within one month
send to the competent authorities of the other Member States a copy of
the component type-approval certificates, an example of which is given
in Annex I, completed for each type of reversing lamp which they
approve or refuse to approve.
Article 5
1. If the Member State which has granted EEC component type-appro-
val finds that a number of reversing 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 production
models conform 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 to conform, extend to
withdrawal of EEC component type-approval. The said authorities shall
take the same measures if they are informed by the competent authorities
of another Member State of such failure to conform.
2. The competent authorities of Member States shall inform each other
within one month of any withdrawal of EEC component type-approval,
and of the reasons for such a measure.
Article 6
Any decision taken pursuant to the provisions adopted in implementation
of this Directive, to refuse 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 decisions shall be
notified to the party concerned, who shall at the same time be informed
of the remedies available to him under the laws in force in the Member
States and of the time limits allowed for the exercise of such remedies.!B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 3
Article 7
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national
type-approval of any vehicle on grounds relating to its reversing 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 of any vehicle on grounds relating to its reversing 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 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 its
trailers, with the exception of vehicles which run on rails, agricultural or
forestry tractors and machinery and public works vehicles.
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 this Directive within 18 months of its notification 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 this Directive are
communicated to the Commission.
Article 12
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.!B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 4
LIST OF ANNEXES
ANNEX 0 (1): Definitions, general specifications, intensity of light
emitted, test procedure, colour of light emitted, conformity
of production
ANNEX I: Model EEC component type-approval certificate
ANNEX II: EEC component type-approval and marking requirements
ANNEX III (1): Photometric measurements
ANNEX IV (1): Colour of light emitted, trichromatic coordinates!B
(1)The technical requirements of this Annex are similar to those of Regulation No 23 of the
Economic Commission for Europe. In particular, the breakdown into sections is thesame. For this reason, where a section in Regulation No 23 has no counterpart in thisDirective, its number is given in brackets for the record.1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 5
ANNEX 0
DEFINITIONS, GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS, INTENSITY OF LIGHT
EMITTED, TEST PROCEDURE, COLOUR OF LIGHT EMITTED,
CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1. ‘Reversing lamp’ means the lamp used to illuminate the road to the rear of
the vehicle and to warn other road-users that the vehicle is reversing or
about to reverse.
1.2. ‘Axis of reference’ means the characteristic axis of the light signal,
determined by the manufacturer for use as the direction of reference (H =0°, V = 0°) for photometric measurements and when fitting the lamp on
the vehicle.
1.3. ‘Centre of reference’ means the intersection of the axis of reference with
the exterior light-emitting surface. It is specified by the manufacturer ofthe lamp.
1.4. ‘Type of reversing lamp’ means reversing lamps which do not differ in
such essential respects as:
1.4.1. the trade name or mark;
1.4.2. the characteristics of the optical system;1.4.3. the inclusion of components capable of altering the optical effects by
reflection, refraction or absorption;
1.4.4. the type of filament lamp.
(2.)
(3.)(4.)5. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
5.1. Each of the samples referred to in 1.2.3 of Annex II shall conform to the
specifications set forth in the sections below.
5.2. The reversing lamps shall be so designed and constructed that under
normal conditions of use, notwithstanding any vibration to which they maybe subjected during such use, their satisfactory operation remains assuredand they retain the characteristics prescribed by this Directive.
6. INTENSITY OF LIGHT EMITTED
6.1. The light emitted by each of the two samples referred to in, 1.2.3 of Annex
II shall be of not less than the minimum intensity and of not more than the
maximum intensity specified below and shall be measured in relation tothe axis of reference in the directions shown below (expressed in degreesfrom the axis of reference).
6.2. The intensity along the axis of reference shall be not less than 80 cd.
6.3. The intensity of the light emitted in all directions in which the lamp can be
observed shall not exceed:
— 300 cd in directions in or above the horizontal plane;
— 600 cd in directions below the horizontal plane.
6.4. In every other direction of measurement shown in Annex III, the luminous
intensity shall be of not less than the minima specified in that Annex.!
B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 6
7. TEST PROCEDURE
All measurements shall be carried out with a colourless standard filament
lamp of the type recommended for the reversing lamp and so regulated as
to produce the normal luminous flux prescribed for this type of lamp.
8. COLOUR OF LIGHT EMITTED
The colour of the light emitted must be white. In case of doubt, the colour
may be checked on the basis of the definition of the colour of white light
given in Annex IV .
9. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
Every reversing lamp bearing an EEC component type-approval mark
must conform to the type approved and comply with the photometric
conditions specified in 6 and 8. Nevertheless, in the case of a reversinglamp picked at random from series production, the requirements as tominimum intensity of the light emitted (measured with a standard filament
lamp as referred to in 7) may be limited in each relevant direction 80 % of
the minimum value specified in 6.
(10.)(11.)!
B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 7
ANNEX I
MODEL EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROV AL CERTIFICATE
(Maximum format: A4 (210 × 297 mm))
!B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 8
ANNEX II
EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROV AL AND MARKING REQUIRE-
MENTS
1. APPLICATION FOR EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROV AL
1.1. The application for EEC component type-approval shall be submitted by
the holder of the trade name or mark or by his authorized representative.
1.2. For each type of reversing lamp, the application shall be accompanied by:
1.2.1. a brief technical description stating, in particular, the type(s) of filament
lamp(s) recommended, which must comply with the specifications of
"C1the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); 3
1.2.2. drawings (three copies), in sufficient detail to permit identification of the
type of the reversing lamp and showing geometrically the position inwhich the reversing lamp is to be mounted on the vehicle, the axis of
observation to be taken as the axis of reference in the tests (horizontal
angle H = 0°, vertical angle V = 0°), and the point to be taken as the centreof reference in the said tests;
1.2.3. two samples.
2. MARKINGS
2.1. The samples of a type of reversing lamp submitted for EEC component
type-approval must bear:
2.1.1. the trade name or mark of the applicant, which must be clearly legible and
indelible;
2.1.2. a clearly legible and indelible marking indicating the type(s) of filament
lamp(s) recommended;
2.1.3. if necessary, in order to prevent any mistake in mounting the reversing
lamp on the vehicle, the word ‘TOP’ marked horizontally on the uppermost
part of the lens;
2.1.4. 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-APPROV AL
3.1. If the two samples submitted in accordance with 1 meet the requirements
of Annexes 0, II, III and IV , EEC component type-approval shall begranted and a component type-approval number assigned.
3.2. This number shall not be assigned to any other type of reversing lamp.3.3. Where EEC component type-approval is requested for a type of lighting
and light-signalling device comprising a reversing lamp and other lamps, asingle EEC component type-approval mark may be issued provided thatthe reversing lamp complies with the requirements of this Directive and
that each of the other lamps forming part of the lighting and
light-signalling device for which EEC component type-approval isrequested, complies with the specific Directive applying to it.
4. MARKS
4.1. Every reversing lamp conforming to a type approved under this Directive
shall bear an EEC component type-approval mark.
4.2. This mark shall consist of a rectangle surrounding the lower-case letter ‘e’,
followed by the distinguishing number or letter(s) of the Member State
which has granted the component type-approval:
1 for Germany,
2 for France,3 for Italy,4 for the Netherlands,!
B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 9
6 for Belgium,
11 for the United Kingdom,13 for Luxembourg,
18 for Denmark,
IRL for Ireland,
E for Greece.
It must also include the EEC component type-approval number, which
corresponds to the number of the EEC component type-approval
certificate issued for the type of reversing lamp in question.
4.3. The EEC component type-approval mark shall be supplemented by an
additional symbol ‘AR’.
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 reversing lamp is fitted onthe vehicle.
4.6. An example of the EEC component type-approval mark and the above
additional symbol combining the letters A and R, is shown in theAppendix.
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
reversing lamp and 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 letter(s) of the Member State which has granted the EECcomponent type-approval,
— an EEC component type-approval number,— the additional symbols required by the various Directives under which
EEC component type-approval was granted.
4.8. The dimensions of the various components of this mark shall not be less
than the largest of the minimum dimensions specified for individualmarkings by the Directives under which the EEC component type-approvalwas granted.!
B
!A1
!B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 10
Appendix
Example of an EEC component type-approval mark
The device bearing the EEC component type-approval mark shown above is a reversing lamp EEC type-approved in
Germany (e 1) under the number 1271.!B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 11
ANNEX III
PHOTOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
1. MEASUREMENT METHODS
1.1. During photometric measurements, stray reflections shall be prevented by
appropriate masking.
1.2. Should the results of measurements be challenged, measurements shall be
carried out in such a way as to meet the following requirements:
1.2.1. the distance of measurement shall be such that the law of the inverse of the
square of the distance is applicable;
1.2.2. the measuring equipment shall be such that the angular aperture of the
receiver viewed from the reference centre of the lamp is between 10 ’and
1°;
1.2.3. 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.
2. MEASURING POINTS EXPRESSED IN DEGREES OF ANGLE WITH
THE AXIS OF REFERENCE AND V ALUES OF THE MINIMUM
INTENSITIES OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
2.1. The direction H = 0° and V = 0° corresponds to the axis of reference
(which, when the lamp is mounted on the vehicle, must be horizontal,
parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle and oriented in therequired direction of visibility). It passes through the centre of reference.The values shown in the table give, for the various directions of
measurement, the minimum intensities in cd.
2.2. If visual examination of a lamp appears to reveal substantial local
variations of intensity, a check shall be made to ensure that no intensity
measured between two of the directions of measurement referred to aboveis below 50 % of the lower minimum intensity of the two prescribed forthese directions of measurement.!
B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 12
ANNEX IV
COLOUR OF LIGHT EMITTED
TRICHROMATIC COORDINATES
WHITE limit towards blue: x 50.310
limit towards yellow: x 40.500
limit towards green: y 40.150+0.640x
limit towards green: y 40.440
limit towards purple: y 50.050+0.750x
limit towards red: y 50.382
For checking these colorimetric characteristics, a source of light at a colour
temperature of 2 854 K corresponding to illuminant A of the International
Commission on Illumination (CIE) shall be used.!B1977L0539 — EN — 01.01.1981 — 001.001 — 13