Guide To: UNECE R98 - Headlamps with gas-discharge light sources

UN ECE Regulation No. 98 provides uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicle headlamps equipped with gas-discharge light sources. Gas-discharge headlamps, which are commonly referred to as HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lamps, offer superior illumination and visibility compared to traditional halogen lamps, especially in low-light conditions. The regulation outlines the technical requirements that these headlamps must meet, ensuring road safety and reducing glare for other drivers.

Scope of the Regulation

UN ECE Regulation No. 98 applies to:

• Gas-discharge headlamps for vehicles in categories M, N, and L3. These include passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles equipped with advanced lighting systems that use gas-discharge technology.

Key Features of UN ECE R98

1. Design and Construction:

   • Gas-discharge headlamps must be designed to provide both passing (low) and driving (high) beams, ensuring optimal visibility for drivers in various conditions without causing glare.
   • The design includes specific requirements for optical systems, light intensity, and beam patterns that are carefully controlled to ensure safety.

2. Markings:

   • Each headlamp must carry specific markings, including the manufacturer’s name and the approval marks indicating compliance with the regulation. These markings ensure that the headlamps are traceable and meet the required standards.

3. Photometric and Performance Requirements:

   • Gas-discharge headlamps must undergo strict testing to meet photometric standards, which define how the light is distributed on the road. This ensures that the headlamps provide adequate illumination while minimizing glare for oncoming traffic.
   • Stability tests ensure that headlamps retain their performance over time, even when exposed to environmental factors like temperature changes, UV radiation, and vibrations.

4. UV Protection for Plastic Lenses:

   • If the headlamps incorporate plastic lenses, additional testing is required to ensure that the material can resist UV radiation from the gas-discharge light sources without degrading over time.

5. Compatibility with LED Modules:

   • The regulation also allows for the integration of LED modules in combination with gas-discharge light sources, which helps manufacturers create more adaptive lighting systems.

Incorporation into UN ECE Regulation No. 149

As part of UNECE’s effort to simplify and streamline vehicle lighting regulations, UN ECE Regulation No. 98 has been incorporated into Regulation No. 149. Regulation No. 149 consolidates multiple lighting-related regulations into a single, comprehensive framework governing road illumination devices. This consolidation includes headlamps equipped with gas-discharge light sources, as well as other lighting technologies like LED and adaptive front-lighting systems (AFS).

The incorporation of UN ECE R98 into R149 ensures that manufacturers now have a unified set of standards to follow for headlamps, simplifying the approval process and making it easier to meet international compliance requirements. This change not only reduces regulatory complexity but also supports the adoption of newer, more advanced lighting technologies.

Conclusion

UN ECE Regulation No. 98 sets the standard for gas-discharge headlamps, ensuring that they provide effective illumination while maintaining road safety. With the regulation’s incorporation into UN ECE R149, the industry now benefits from a more streamlined and comprehensive framework for the approval of vehicle lighting systems. This consolidation facilitates innovation in lighting technologies while ensuring that vehicles meet stringent international safety standards.