ECE104
ECE104 is the regulation outlining the technical requirements to approved retroreflective marking tapes for trucks and trailers in Europe.
The materials are divided in 3 classes:
Class "C": Material for coutour marking
Class "D": Material for distinctive markings/graphics intended for a limited area
Class "E": Material for distinctive markings/graphics for an extended area
In terms of reflectivity, Class "C" is the highest grade and Class "E" the lowest.
It is application of the Class "C" conspicuity tapes which is becoming law.
ECE104 does not include any details about the actual application of the tapes on the vehicles - this information is today* all found in Regulation 48.
Reflexite is the original inventer of the technology used for the ECE104 approved safety marking tapes, and today Reflexite is one of the world's leading producers in this market.
*) When ECE104 was included into Regulation 48, the Annex 9 which previously contained application guidelines, was deleted from the regulation.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Regulation 48
Regulation 48 includes the mandate for Regulation ECE 104 markings, and specified the conditions for this, i.e. which vehicle types must comply, which colours should be used, etc. I.e. all of the technical aspects related to the installation of the tapes, which must be approved according to the technical requirements in ECE104.
Regulation 48 only includes the Class "C" conspicuity markings.
Because Regulation 48 deals with lighting and light-signalling devices, the classes "D" and "E" of ECE 104 are not included into - or dealt with in - this regulation. The use of these materials is left to the National authorities. Previously, when ECE104 included application guidelines, it was a requirement that graphics made with Class D or E materials had to be placed within a full contour marking. Today, this is not a requirement in Regulation 48, but something which is decided at a national level. This means that it is something you will need to check in your own National Lighting Regulation.
