Vehicle lighting

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).

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)

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).

Serienteile

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

Glanzfolie

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. 

Transmissionsmessung

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.

Motorhaube

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.

Scheinwerferblende

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. 

Leuchtschutzgitter

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

Last modification 25.06.2020

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