This International Standard is applicable to replaceable and standardised lamps (filament
lamps, discharge lamps and LED light sources) to be used in headlamps, fog-lamps and
signalling lamps for road vehicles. In some applications, these lamps may be installed as nonreplaceable.
This standard is especially applicable to those lamps which are the subject of legislation. In
particular, it includes the lamps contained in Regulations No. 37, No. 99, No. 128 and its series
of amendments of the Geneva Agreement of 20 March 1958 of the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UNECE). However, the standard may be used for other lamps falling
under the scope of this standard, as well as lamps which are subject of legislation but not
contained in Regulations No. 37, No. 99 and No. 128, e.g. the non-replaceable (filament) lamps
and LED modules.
For replaceable and standardised lamps, the standard specifies the technical requirements
with methods of tests and basic interchangeability (dimensional, electrical and luminous) for
lamps of normal production and for standard (étalon) lamps.
For most of the requirements given in this standard, reference is made to the “relevant lamp
data sheet”. For all lamps listed in Clause 8, data sheets are contained in this standard or
included by reference. For other lamps, the relevant data are supplied by the lamp
manufacturer or responsible vendor. It could be based on national legislation.
Other requirements to replaceable and standardised lamps such as lamp life, luminous flux
maintenance, torsion strength and resistance to vibration and shock are specified in IEC 60810.
Such requirements to non-replaceable lamps are given in this standard.
For some test methods, reference is made to IEC 60810.
Road vehicle lamps for supplementary purposes which are not the subject of legislation are
specified in IEC 60983.
In countries which legislate for approval, for example under the terms of the aforementioned
UN Regulations, it is suggested that reference is made to this standard for assessment of
compliance. IEC 60810 and IEC 60983 are not intended for that purpose.
NOTE 1 In various vocabularies and standards, different terms are used for "incandescent lamp", "discharge
lamp" and “LED lamp”. In this standard "filament lamp", "discharge lamp" and “LED light source” are used. However,
where only "lamp" is written all three kinds of lamp are meant, unless the context clearly shows that it applies to
one kind only.
NOTE 2 Wherever the term “device” is used, it is meant to designate equipment which is used as luminaire. It can
take the form and purpose of a headlight or signal light.
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