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"BCOUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 28 June 1977
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to parking lamps for motor vehicles
(77/540/EEC)
(OJ L 220, 29.8.1977, p. 83)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
"A1 Act of Accession of Greece L 291 17 19.11.1979
"A2 Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal L 302 23 15.11.1985
Corrected by:
"C1 Corrigendum, OJ L 284, 10.10.1978, p. 11 (77/540/EEC)1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 1
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 28 June 1977
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
parking lamps for motor vehicles
(77/540/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 parking 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 trailers;
Whereas a harmonized component type-approval procedure for parking
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 parking lamp;
whereas the placing of an EEC component type-approval mark on all
parking lamps manufactured in conformity with the approved type
obviates any need for technical checks on these parking lamps in the
other Member States;
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 parking lamp which satisfies the construction and testing
requirements laid down in Annexes I, II, IV , V and VI.
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.!B
(1) OJ No C 118, 16. 5. 1977, p. 29.
(2) OJ No C 114, 11. 5. 1977, p. 4.
(3) OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1.
(4) OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 1.1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 2
Article 2
Member States shall for each type of parking 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 IV .
Member States shall take all appropriate measures to prevent the use of
marks liable to create confusion between parking 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 parking
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 parking 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 III, completed for each type of parking 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 parking 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 parking 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.
Article 7
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national
type-approval of a vehicle on grounds relating to its parking 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.!B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 3
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 parking 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, 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.!B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 4
LIST OF ANNEXES
ANNEX I: Definitions, general specifications, intensity of light emitted,
test procedure, colour of light emitted, conformity of
production, note concerning colour
ANNEX II: Minimum angles required for the light distribution in space
ANNEX III: Model EEC component type-approval certificate
ANNEX IV: EEC component type-approval and marking requirements
ANNEX V: Photometric measurements
ANNEX VI: Colour of light emitted, trichromatic coordinates!B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 5
ANNEX I
DEFINITIONS, GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS, INTENSITY OF LIGHT
EMITTED, TEST PROCEDURE, COLOUR OF LIGHT EMITTED,
CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION, NOTE CONCERNING COLOUR
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1. ‘Parking lamp’ means the lamp used to draw attention to the presence of
a stationary vehicle in a built-up area.
1.2. ‘Axis of reference’ (or reference axis) 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 specified by the manufacturer of thelamp.
1.4. ‘Type of parking lamp’ means parking 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 type of filament lamp.
2. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
2.1. Each sample referred to in 1.2.3 of Annex IV shall conform to the
specifications set forth in 3 and 5.
2.2. The parking lamps shall be so designed and constructed that under
normal conditions of use, notwithstanding any vibration to which theymay 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. In the reference axis, 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 minimumintensity and of not more than the maximum intensity specified below:
Minimum
(cd)Maximum
(cd)
3.1.1. Forward-facing parking lamps 2 60
3.1.2. Rearward-facing parking lamps 2 30
3.2. Outside the reference axis and within the angular fields defined in the
diagrams in Annex II, the intensity of the light emitted by each of the
two samples must:
3.2.1. in each direction corresponding to the points in the luminous intensity
distribution table reproduced in Annex V be not less than the valueshown, in the said table for the direction in question, expressed as a
percentage of the minimum specified in 3.1;
3.2.2. in any direction within the space from which the lamp in question is
visible, not exceed the maximum specified in 3.1;
3.2.3. however, a luminous intensity of 60 cd shall be permitted for parking
lamps incorporated with stop lamps (see 3.1.2) below a plane formingan angle of 5° with and downward from the horizontal plane;
3.2.4. moreover,3.2.4.1. throughout the fields defined in Annex II, the intensity of the light
emitted must be not less than 0.05cd;
3.2.4.2. the requirements of 2.2 of Annex V on local variations of intensity must
be observed.!
B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 6
3.3. The intensities must be measured with the filament lamp(s) continu-
ously alight and, in the case of devices emitting red or amber light, in
coloured light.
3.4. Annex V , to which reference is made in 3.2.1, gives particulars of the
methods of measurement to be used.
4. TEST PROCEDURE
All measurements shall be carried out with colourless standard filament
lamps of the types recommended for the parking lamp, and so regulated
as to produce the normal luminous flux prescribed for those types of
lamp.
5. COLOUR OF LIGHT EMITTED
The-colour of the light emitted, measured by using a source of light with
a colour temperature of 2 854 K, corresponding to illuminant A of the
International Commission on Illumination (CIE), must be within thelimits of the coordinates prescribed for the colour in question in AnnexVI.
6. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
Every parking lamp bearing an EEC component type-approval mark
must conform to the type approved and comply with the photometricconditions specified in 3 and 5. Nevertheless, in the case of a parking
lamp picked at random from series production, the requirements as to
minimum intensity of the light emitted (measured with a standardfilament lamp as referred to in 4) shall be limited in each relevantdirection to 80 % of the minimum values specified in 3.1 and 3.2.
7. NOTE CONCERNING COLOUR
EEC component type-approval shall be granted if the colour emitted by
the parking lamp is that laid down in 3.13 of Annex I to Directive76/756/EEC.!
B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 7
ANNEX II
MINIMUM ANGLES REQUIRED FOR THE LIGHT DISTRIBUTION IN
SP ACE (1)
In all cases, the minimum vertical angles of light distribution in space are 15°
above and 15° below the horizontal.
Minimum horizontal angles of light distribution in space
!B
(1) The angles shown in these diagrams are correct for devices to be mounted on
the right side of the vehicle. The arrows point to the front of the vehicles.1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 8
ANNEX III
MODEL EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROV AL CERTIFICATE
(Maximum format: A4 (210 × 297 mm))
!B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 9
ANNEX IV
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 parking 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 parking lamp and showing geometrically the position in whichthe 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 centre of reference in thesaid tests;
1.2.3. two samples; if the parking lamps are such that they can be mounted only
on one 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 thevehicle.
2. MARKINGS
2.1. The samples of a type of parking 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. 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 I, II, IV , V and VI, 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 parking lamp.3.3. Where EEC component type-approval is requested for a type of lighting
and light-signalling device comprising a parking lamp and other lamps, asingle EEC component type-approval mark may be issued provided thatthe lamp in question 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 parking 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,!
B
!A21977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 10
6 for Belgium,
9 for Spain,
11 for the United Kingdom,
13 for Luxembourg,
DK for Denmark,
GR for Greece,
IRL for Ireland,
P for Portugal.
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 parking lamp in question.
4.3. In the following cases the EEC component type-approval mark shall be
supplemented by an additional symbol ‘P’.
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 symbols 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 parking lamps are fitted on thevehicle.
4.6. An example of the EEC component type-approval mark and additional
symbol is given in the Appendix.
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 parkinglamp 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 EEC
component type-approval,
— the 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 individual
markings by the Directives under which the EEC component type-approvalwas granted.!
A2
!B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 11
Appendix
Example of an EEC component type-approval mark
The device bearing the EEC component type-approval mark shown above is a parking lamp, EEC type-approved in the
United Kingdom (e 11) under the number 1471.!B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 12
ANNEX V
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
deemed to be satisfied if that requirement is met in a direction deviating by
not more than 15 ’from the direction of observation.
2. STANDARD LUMINOUS INTENSITY DISTRIBUTION TABLE
2.1. The direction H = 0° and V = 0° corresponds to the reference axis (which,
when the lamp is mounted on the vehicle, must be horizontal, parallel to
the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle and oriented in the required
direction of visibility). It passes through the centre of reference. The valuesshown in the table give, for the various directions of measurement, theminimum intensities as a percentage of the minimum required in the axis
for each lamp (in the direction H = 0° and V = 0°).
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 in 2.1is:
2.2.1. for a minimum specification, below 50 % of the lower of the two minimum
intensities prescribed for these directions of measurement;
2.2.2. for a maximum specification, above the lower of the two maximum
intensities prescribed for these directions of measurement, increased by a
fraction, expressed as a linear function, of the difference between theintensities prescribed for the said directions of measurement.!
B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 13
ANNEX VI
COLOUR OF LIGHT EMITTED
TRICHROMATIC COORDINATES
RED: limit towards yellow: y 40.335
limit towards purple: z 40.008
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
AMBER: limit towards yellow: y 40.429
limit towards red: y 50.398
limit towards white: z 40.007
For checking those colorimetric characteristics, a source of light at a colour
temperature of 2 854 K corresponding to illuminant A of the InternationalCommission on Illumination (CIE) shall be used.!
B1977L0540 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 002.001 — 14