Standards for reflective markings on vehicles

ECE R104 is a European standard that provides guidelines for the approval of reflective markings on heavy and long vehicles. These markings are crucial for road safety as they significantly improve the visibility of vehicles, especially during nighttime driving or under poor weather conditions. By complying with ECE R104, manufacturers can ensure that their products meet strict European requirements, which is essential for a safe driving experience.

What does the ECE R104 regulation describe?

The ECE R104 standard specifies the technical requirements for the approval of reflective markings on vehicles. This standard focuses on various aspects such as the color, reflectivity, and placement of the markings on the vehicle. The aim of this regulation is to make the contours of vehicles clearly visible to other road users, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

Key requirements of ECE R104

The regulation includes guidelines for various technical aspects of reflective markings:

  • Retroreflective Material: Markings must be made from an approved retroreflective material that reflects light back to its source. This material must meet the reflectivity requirements set out in the standard, expressed in a minimum reflection coefficient, measured in candela per lux per square meter.
  • Retroreflecterend materiaal: Markeringen moeten worden gemaakt van een goedgekeurd retroreflecterend materiaal dat licht terugkaatst naar de bron. Dit materiaal moet voldoen aan de reflectiviteitseisen die zijn vastgelegd in de norm, uitgedrukt in een minimale reflectiecoëfficiënt, gemeten in candela per lux per vierkante meter.
  • Placement: Yellow reflective markings must be applied along the side of the vehicle, between 250 mm and 1500 mm above the road surface. For taller vehicles, the marking can be placed higher, provided the marking makes the entire side of the vehicle clearly visible. Rear Markings: Red or white markings must indicate the width of the vehicle and should be placed on the rear of the vehicle between 250 mm and 1500 mm above the road surface. The markings must cover the full width of the vehicle.

Do all vehicles need reflective markings according to ECE 104?

According to the ECE 104 regulation, the use of reflective markings is mandatory for specific categories of vehicles, namely heavy and long vehicles. This regulation applies to the following vehicle categories:

Category M2 and M3: Vehicles for passenger transport, such as buses. Vehicles with more than 8 seats (excluding the driver) and a maximum permitted weight of 5 tons (M2). M3 refers to vehicles with more than 8 seats and a weight of more than 5 tons.

Category N: Vehicles used for the transport of goods:

  • N2: Vehicles with a maximum permitted weight of more than 3.5 tons but not exceeding 12 tons.
  • N3: Vehicles with a maximum permitted weight of more than 12 tons.

Category O: Trailers, with various subcategories defined based on weight:

  • O2: Trailers with a maximum permitted weight of more than 0.75 tons but not exceeding 3.5 tons.
  • O3: Trailers with a maximum permitted weight of more than 3.5 tons but not exceeding 10 tons.
  • O4: Trailers with a maximum permitted weight of more than 10 tons.

Related topics: Do you also want to know about the marker lights on the truck or trailer? Read our article on ECE R48 that covers this. It includes the specifications for the location, height, and angle at which the marker lights must be installed on different types of vehicles.

External source: For more details about ECE R104 and other lighting standards, visit the official UNECE website.