Vehicle Lighting: What You Need to Know About E-Brands
The lighting of vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, scooters, buses, trucks and tractors, must comply with strict regulations. This means that all lamps on the outside of a vehicle must be provided with an E-mark . This mark consists of the letter "E" followed by a number, and it guarantees that the lighting meets the legal requirements for use on public roads.
Why is the E-mark important?
The E-mark has multiple goals. It guarantees the safety of road users by ensuring that the lighting meets technical standards. Lighting without an E-mark can cause malfunctions, such as too bright light or short circuits. In addition, the E-mark contributes to fair competition, since all manufacturers must adhere to the same technical requirements.
How do you recognize an E-mark?
The E-mark is visible on the metal edge of the lamp. It consists of a flattened circle with the letter "E", followed by a number indicating in which country the product has been approved. For the Netherlands, for example, this is "E4". In addition to the E-mark, many lamps also carry an R-indication, which indicates what the E-mark specifically refers to.
Manufacturer's Responsibility
The manufacturer of the lighting is responsible for applying the E-mark and indicating the intended use. The E-mark may only be used when the lamp has been approved by a recognized body, such as the RDW in the Netherlands. The RDW tests the lamps on various criteria, such as light intensity, water resistance, lifespan, and short circuit.
Sales of vehicle lighting
The sale of vehicle lighting for public roads may only take place if the lamp is provided with the E-mark and the manufacturer has produced the lamp specifically for that purpose. The manufacturer may only mention the E-mark if the lamp is approved. It is also the manufacturer's task to indicate the intended use of the product.
Your responsibility as a motorist
As a motorist, you are responsible for using the correct lighting in your vehicle. The user manual for your vehicle states which lighting you need. Headlight units are often designed in such a way that only the correct lamp will fit. All lighting on the outside of your vehicle must be provided with an E-mark. If you have incorrectly lit lamps, you can be fined during a check.
Halogen, LED and Xenon lighting
Xenon lamps with an E-mark – i.e. approved lamps – have a base that is built into a headlamp unit that is intended for xenon lighting. The R-indication for this is R99.
LED lighting also has a specific headlight unit. These headlight units and the associated lamps must be provided with an E-mark. R128 applies here.
Halogen lighting with an H-base must be provided with an E-mark and an R37 indication. Please note: 10R or R10 has nothing to do with the lamp and is not a correct approval for the purpose for which the lamp is designed.
LED lighting with an H-foot or 'conversion sets' of Xenon lamps may not be provided with an E-mark. You may therefore not use these products on public roads.
Exception to the rule
In some cases, lighting does not need to have an E-mark. If the manufacturer has indicated on the packaging that the lighting is intended for a specific (professional) target group or for vehicles that fall under article 4.2 paragraph 2 of the Vehicle Regulations, the lighting may be sold without an E-mark. This applies, for example, to use in racing. Use on public roads is not permitted in this case. It is up to the manufacturer to clearly state the intended use.
The specifications of the articles in question indicate whether they are provided with an E-mark.
Please note: when purchasing and using our offered lamps, you bear the full risk. Using the lighting on private property or closed circuits is often not a problem.
