Guide To: UNECE R119 - Cornering Lamps

UN ECE Regulation No. 119 sets out uniform provisions concerning the approval of cornering lamps for motor vehicles. Cornering lamps provide supplementary illumination of the road near the forward corner of the vehicle, helping drivers navigate curves or turns by improving visibility. The regulation defines the requirements for design, performance, and testing to ensure these lamps function effectively and safely under all driving conditions.

Scope of the Regulation

UN ECE Regulation No. 119 applies to:

• Cornering lamps for vehicles in categories M, N, and T, which include passenger cars, goods vehicles, and tractors. These lamps are designed to improve visibility when a vehicle is turning, especially under low-light conditions.

Key Features of UN ECE Regulation No. 119

1. Design and Construction:

   • The regulation requires cornering lamps to be constructed in a way that ensures durability and resistance to vibrations encountered during normal vehicle use.
   • The lamps must provide adequate lighting intensity, ensuring the area near the vehicle's forward corner is illuminated without causing glare or distracting other drivers.

2. Photometric and Performance Requirements:

   • Cornering lamps must meet strict photometric standards to ensure sufficient illumination in specific directions. The regulation defines test points for measuring the light emitted at various angles, ensuring that the lamps illuminate the road adequately.
   • Lamps must also maintain their performance over time, with additional testing required for durability and resistance to environmental factors such as UV radiation.

3. Marking and Approval:

   • Cornering lamps must bear appropriate markings to indicate compliance with UN ECE Regulation No. 119. These markings include the manufacturer’s trade name and approval numbers, ensuring traceability and verification during vehicle inspections.
   • Lamps incorporating light source modules or electronic light source control gear must display additional markings related to the light source category and voltage specifications.

4. Colour and Intensity of Light:

   • The regulation specifies that cornering lamps must emit white light, with restrictions on the intensity of light emitted in specific directions to ensure safety and avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

Incorporation into UN ECE Regulation No. 149

In recent years, UN ECE Regulation No. 119 has been incorporated into UN ECE Regulation No. 149, which governs road illumination devices. Regulation No. 149 consolidates multiple lighting-related regulations into a unified framework, streamlining the approval process for a wide range of vehicle lighting systems, including headlamps, adaptive front-lighting systems, and cornering lamps.

The consolidation of R119 into R149 simplifies compliance for manufacturers by harmonizing the technical standards for all types of vehicle lighting systems. This transition aligns with the UNECE’s broader goal of making the regulatory process more efficient and ensuring that modern vehicle lighting technologies meet global safety standards.

Conclusion

UN ECE Regulation No. 119 establishes important safety standards for cornering lamps, ensuring that they provide adequate illumination during turns and improve driver visibility. With its integration into UN ECE Regulation No. 149, this regulation now forms part of a more streamlined and comprehensive framework for road illumination devices, ensuring that manufacturers can meet international safety standards with greater ease.