1976L0757 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 1
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►B COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of27July1976
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to ►M2 retro-reflectors ◄for
motorvehiclesandtheirtrailers
(76/757/EEC)
(OJ L 262, 27.9.1976, p. 32)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Council Directive 87/354/EEC of 25 June 1987 L 192 43 11.7.1987
►M2Commission Directive 97/29/EC of 11 June 1997 L 171 11 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
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COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of27July1976
on the approximationof the lawsofthe Member States relating to
►M2 retro-reflectors ◄formotorvehiclesandtheir trailers
(76/757/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 reflex reflectors;
Whereasthos e requirementsdiffer from one Member State to another;
whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the same
requirementseither in addition to or in place of their exis ting rulesinorder, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure, whichwasthe s ubject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970on 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;
Whereas, in Directive 76/756/EEC (4), the Council laid down common
requirements for the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices
on motor vehiclesand their trailers ;
Whereasa harmonized type-approval procedure for reflectorsmakesit
possible for each Member State to check compliance with the common
construction and testing requirements and to inform the other MemberStatesof itsfindingsby s ending a copy of the component type-approval certificate completed for each type of reflex reflector; whereasthe placing of an EEC component type-approval mark on all reflexreflectorsmanufactured in conformity with the approved type obviates
any need for technical checkson thes e reflex reflectorsin the Member
States;
Whereasit isdes irable to take into account the technical requirements
adopted by the UN Economic Commission for Europe in its Regulation
No 3 (‘Uniform provisions for the approval of reflex reflecting devicesfor motor vehicles’) (
5), which isannexed to the Agreement of 20
March 1958 concerning the adoption of uniform conditionsforapproval and reciprocal recognition of approval for motor vehicleequipment and parts;
Whereasthe approximation of national lawsrelating to motor vehicles
entailsreciprocal recognition by Member Statesof the checkscarriedout by each of them on the basis of the common requirements,1976L0757 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 2
(1) OJ No C 55, 13. 5. 1974, p. 14.
(2) OJ No C 109, 19. 9. 1974, p. 26.
(3) OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1.
(4) See page 1 of thisOfficial Journal.
(5) Economic Commission for Europe, Document
E/ECE/324/C148/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C150Addendum 2.E/ECE/TRANS/505
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HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
1. Each Member State shall grant EC component type-approval for
any type of retro-reflector which satisfies the construction and texting
requirementslaid down in the relevant Annexes .
2. The Member State which hasgranted EEC component type-
approval shall take the measures required in order verify that produc-
tion modelsconform to the approved type, in s o far asthisis
necessary and if need be in cooperation with the competent authoritiesin the other Member States. Such verification shall be limited to spotchecks.
Article 2
Member Statess hall, for each type of retro-reflector which they
approve pursuant to Article 1, issue to the manufacturer an EC compo-
nent 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
marksliable to create confus ion between reflex reflectorswhich havebeen type-approved pursuant to Article 1, and other devices.
Article 3
1. No Member State may prohibit the placing on the market of
reflex reflectorson groundsrelating to their cons truction 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 reflex reflectorsbearing the EEC component type-approval
mark which consistently fail to conform to the approved type.
That State shall forthwith inform the other Member States and the
Commission of the measures taken, specifying the reasons for its deci-
sion.
Article 4
The competent authoritiesof the Member Statess hall inform each
other, by meansof the procedure s pecified in Article 4 (6) of Directive70/156/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 findsthat a number of reflex reflectorsbearing the s ameEEC 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 competentauthorities 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. 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 the Member Statess hall within one
month inform each other of any withdrawal of EEC component type-approval and of the reasons for such a measure.1976L0757 — 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 type-approval for a reflex
reflector or prohibit its placing on the market or use shall set out in
detail the reasons on which it is based. Such decision shall be notifiedto the party concerned, who shall at the same time be informed of theremediesavailable to him under the lawsin force in the Member Statesand 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 groundsrelating to itsreflex reflectorsif these bear the EEC component type-approval mark and are fitted in
accordance with 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 reflexreflectorsif thes e bear the EEC component type-approval mark andare fitted in accordance with the requirementslaid down in Directive76/756/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 adopt and publish the provisions necessary
in order to comply with thisDirective before 1 July 1977 and s hall
forthwith inform the Commission thereof. They shall apply these provi-sions from 1 October 1977 at the latest.
2. Once thisDirective hasbeen notified, the Member Statess hall
also ensure that the Commission is informed, in sufficient time for itto submit its comments, of any draft laws, regulations or administrative
provisions which they propose to adopt in the field covered by this
Directive.
Article 12
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1976L0757 — 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 requirements1976L0757 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 5
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ANNEX I
ADMINISTRATIVEPROVISIONSFORTYPE-APPROVAL
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 retro-reflector 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. in the case of retro-reflectors of either Class I A or III A,
1.3.1.1. ten (10) samples of the colour specified by the manufacturer;
1.3.1.2. if necessary, two samples in other colour(s) for simultaneous or subse-
quent extension of the approval to retro-reflectors in other colour(s);
1.3.2. in the case of retro-reflectors of Class IV A, ten (10) samples and, if
necessary, the means of fixation.
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. the mark ‘TOP’ appearing horizontally at the top of the illuminating
surface, if required to determine unequivocally the angle or angles of
rotation specified by the manufacturer.
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. This space shall be indicated on the drawings referred
to in Appendix I.
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 retro-reflector approved. The
same Member State shall not assign the same number to another type
of retro-reflector.
3.4. Where EC component type-approval isreques ted for a type of lighting
and light-signalling device comprising a retro-reflector and other lamps,
a single EC component type-approval number may be assigned
provided that the retro-reflector complieswith the requirementsof 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 retro-reflector
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 France
3 for Italy1976L0757 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 6
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4 for the Netherlands
5 for Sweden
6 for Belgium
7 for Hungary
8 for the Czech Republic
9 for Spain
11 for the United Kingdom
12 for Austria13 for Luxembourg17 for Finland18 for Denmark
20 for Poland21 for Portugal
23 for Greece
26 for Slovenia
27 for Slovakia29 for Estonia32 for Latvia36 for LithuaniaCY for Cyprus
IRL for IrelandMT 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 76/757/EEC on the date EC type-approval was
granted. In thisDirective the s equence number is02;
4.2.3. an additional symbol as follows:
4.2.3.1. ‘I A’, ‘III A’ or ‘IV A’ denoting the class in which the retro-reflector
wasplaced when approved.
4.3. The EC component type-approval mark shall be affixed to the light-
emitting surface of the retro-reflector in such a way as to be indelible
and clearly legible even when the retro-reflector isfitted 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 devicecomprising a retro-reflector 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;1976L0757 — 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.
5.2. Where type-approval isextended to a retro-reflector differing only in
colour, the samples of each other colour, submitted in accordance with
item 1.3.1.2 above, must meet only the colorimetric specifications; the
other tests need not be repeated.
This paragraph does not apply to class IV A retro-reflectors.
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. In mechanical and geometrical terms, conformity shall be considered
satisfactory if the differences do not exceed the variations inherent in
industrial production.
6.3. Conformity of production shall not be invalidated if all the photometric
measurements performed on a specimen selected at random meet at
least 80 % of the specification.
6.4. If the condition laid down in paragraph 6.3 isnot met, a further s ample
of five units shall be selected at random. The average of each type of
photometric measurement must meet the specification and no individual
measurement may be less than 50 % of the specification.1976L0757 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 8
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Appendix 1
InformationdocumentNo…
relating totheECcomponenttype-approvalofretro-reflectors
(Directive 76/757/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
class I A retro-reflector, type approved in Germany (e1) pursuant to this Direc-
tive (02) under the base approval number 1471.1976L0757 — 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 mark shows
that the device wasapproved in Germany (e1) 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
Council Directive 76/759/EEC (OJ No L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 71),
sequence No 01;
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. 54),
sequence No 02;
A rear fog lamp (F) approved in accordance with Council Directive 77/
538/EEC, sequence No 00;
A reversing lamp (AR) approved in accordance with Council Directive
77/539/EEC (OJ No L 220, 29. 8. 1977, p. 60), 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
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ANNEX II
SCOPE AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
1.SCOPE
ThisDirective appliesto retro-reflectorsfor motor vehiclesand their
trailers.
2.TECHNICALREQUIREMENTS
2.1. The technical requirements are those set out in paragraphs 2, 6 and 7
and Annexes 1 and 4 to 15 of UN-ECE Regulation No 3 which consists
of a consolidation of the following documents:
— the 01 and 02 series of amendments (1);
— the Supplement 1 to 02 series of amendments (2);
— the Supplement 2 to 02 series of amendments (3);
— the Supplement 3 to 02 series of amendments (4),
except that:
2.1.1. Where reference ismade to ‘Regulation No 48’, thiss hall be under-
stood as ‘Directive 76/756/EEC’.1976L0757 — EN — 01.05.2004 — 006.001 — 17
(1)E/ECE/324/C148/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C150Add.2/Rev.1 and …/Rev.1/Amend.1.E/ECE/TRANS/505
(2)E/ECE/324/C148/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C150Add.2/Rev.1/Amend.2.E/ECE/TRANS/505
(3)E/ECE/324/C148/C147/C147/C147/C149/C147/C147/C147/C150Add.6/Rev.1/Amend.3.E/ECE/TRANS/505
(4) TRANS/WP29/446.