Lighting Equipment for Road Vehicles
As part of the safety package pertaining to road vehicles, headlights, rear lights, and signal lamps have to meet legal requirements. This also applies to equipment that was already approved but has been modified.
Swiss Conformity Assessment Body
METAS has been conducting design tests on road vehicle lighting in accordance with Swiss legislation for over 30 years. On 1 June 2003, the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) discontinued the Swiss approval procedure for road vehicle lighting and appointed METAS as the Swiss conformity evaluation centre. Individuals or companies domiciled in Switzerland can submit applications for Swiss conformity assessments directly to METAS. If the requirements are met, Swiss conformity certificates will be issued. Cantonal authorities can access information regarding METAS-approved equipment via an information system. FEDRO is responsible for international approvals.
ECE Test Centre
Since 1996, METAS has also been conducting lighting design tests according to the regulations of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). In 1958, the Agreement Concerning the Adoption of Uniform Conditions of Approval and Reciprocal Recognition of Approval for Motor Vehicle Equipment and Parts came into force under the auspices of the ECE. Today, the agreement includes over 110 test regulations. Around one third of these cover lighting requirements for motor vehicles and trailers. While Switzerland signed this agreement in 1973, ECE-certified motor vehicle lighting equipment had not required a separate Swiss design test any more as early as three years prior to this.
Designated EC Test Centre
Based on the ordinance regarding design approvals for road vehicles (TGV) of 19 June 1995 and the agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the European Community regarding the mutual recognition of conformity evaluation centres, METAS was designated as a test center for vehicule components by the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO).
Further information
Legal Basis
Swiss Legislation
- SR 741.01 Road traffic law (SVG) of 19 December 1958
- SR 741.511 Ordinance on type approvals for road vehicles (TGV) of 19 June 1995
- SR 741.41 Ordinance on technical requirements for road vehicles (VTS) of 19 Junde 1995
ECE regulations of the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
- Status of the 1958 agreement and the annexed regulations (English/French)
- Regulations 1-20 | Regulations 21-40 | Regulations 41-60 | Regulations 61-80 | Regulations 81-100 | Regulations 101-120 | Regulations 121-140 (English/French)
EC Guidelines
Designated test centre for road vehicles
Based on the ordinance on design approvals for motor vehicles (TGV) of 19 June 1995 and the agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the European Community regarding the mutual recognition of conformity evaluation centres, METAS was designated by the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) as a test centre for the following EC guidelines:
| EC Guideline | Equipment |
Validation |
|---|---|---|
70/388/EEC |
Acoustic signal equipment |
28 January 2003 |
76/757/EEC |
Rear lights for motor vehicles and trailers |
|
76/758/EEC |
Outline lights, running lights, tail lights, brake lights, daytime running lights, and side marker lights |
|
76/759/EEC |
Signal lights for motor vehicles and trailers |
|
76/760/EEC |
Lighting equipment for the rear license plate of motor vehicles and trailers |
|
76/761/EEC |
Headlights for high beams and/or low beams and using light sourves (incandescent bulbs or other) for use in approved lighting assemblies of motor vehicles and trailers |
|
76/762/EEC |
Fog lamps for motor vehicles |
|
77/538/EEC |
Rear fog lamps for motor vehicles and trailers |
|
77/539/EEC |
Backup lights for motor vehicles and trailers |
|
77/540/EEC |
Parking lights for motor vehicles |
|
92/24/EEC |
Speed limitation systems for certain classes of motor vehicles |
Tests
Legal notices and test fees can be found in our Services database. Application form (PDF, 154 kB, 06.07.2020).
|
Lighting equipment according to national regulations |
Individuals or companies domiciled in Switzerland can submit applications for design tests according to national regulations. If the technical requirements have been met, certificates of conformity or accreditations will be issued. |
Lighting equipment according to national regulations |
Swiss and foreign companies can submit applications for ECE approvals to the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), Vehicle Design Testing, 3003 Bern. Application form |
|
|
Gloss and tinting foil for rear side windows and rear windows |
Individuals or companies domiciled in Switzerland can submit applications for design tests according to national regulations. If the technical requirements have been met, certificates of conformity or accreditations will be issued. |
|
Vehicle windows |
The degree of visual transmission of vehicle windows can be determined directly on the vehicle. The results are specified in a test report. |
|
Modified car body components that affect the characteristics of lighting equipment |
Follow-up lighting inspections are carried out on the vehicle and if required in the METAS lighting laboratory. The results are specified in a test report. |
|
Headlight baffles |
Individuals or companies domiciled in Switzerland can submit applications for design tests according to national regulations. If the technical requirements have been met, certificates of conformity or accreditations will be issued. |
|
Lamp guards |
Individuals or companies domiciled in Switzerland can submit applications for design tests according to national regulations. If the technical requirements have been met, certificates of conformity or accreditations will be issued. |
Frequently asked questions
The design approval becomes invalid when modifications are made to lighting equipment. Therefore, an authorised centre has to prove that the technical characteristics of the affected equipment still conform to the applicable regulations.
A lighting test is required if the lenses of headlights, parking lights, or signal lights are partially covered.
Individuals or companies that reside in Switzerland can submit applications for type approvals according to national regulations (application form). If the technical requirements have been met, certificates of conformity or accreditations will be issued.
Certificates issued by other test centres are accredited by METAS if they were issued by an authorised test centre, include sufficient details regarding the inspection carried out, and are provided in full.
Both documents confirm that the item inspected conforms to Swiss regulations. A METAS certificate of conformity can also include the results of the design test conducted. The accreditation of conformity confirms the validity of technical certificates issued by other test centres.
Retrofitted foils are not permitted on windscreens. The application of an anti-glare sun strip at the top of the windscreen is permissible however providet the driver has an unrestricted view of objects at a height of at least 4.00 metres at a distance of 12.00 metres when sitting with an eye level of 0.75 metres above the seat.
No. The windows are normally already tinted by the manufacturer. This in itself reduces the degree of visual transmission to 70 to 80%. If a tinted foil were to be added, the prescribed level of 70% light transmission would no longer be assured.
Transparent, colourless foils may be applied to the forward side windows if proof is provided that undistorted visibility is assured and that the degree of visual transmission is at least 70%
Last modification 24.09.2024