Automotive lighting manufacturer OSRAM has successfully worked alongside the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to alter the MOT testing manual, making ECE-approved LED retrofit bulbs fully compliant.
Previously, Section 4.1.4 of the inspection manual required testers to fail halogen headlamp units converted to LED or HID sources, despite ECE R37 standards and Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations permitting approved bulbs. The updated wording addresses this contradiction, aligning the MOT test with modern lighting technology.
To help technicians and MOT testers identify compliant components during an inspection, bulb suppliers must now include a security sticker in the packaging. This unique label must be applied near the lamp housing to confirm that the fitted bulbs possess valid ECE approval.
“There has been a lot of work behind the scenes on this issue and we are thrilled the hard work of everyone involved has paid off,” said Carl Harrison, Product Manager for Bulbs and Vehicle Lighting at OSRAM. “Currently only OSRAM’s H11 and C5W types are included in the latest edition of UNECE Regulation 37, but a programme of further types will be added over the next two to three years.”
Grant Thunder, Head of MOT at the DVSA, added: “We want to make it easier and quicker to identify ECE approved LED replacement bulbs. We’ve worked closely with the DfT and lighting manufacturers to develop a practical way to identify these replacement light sources during MOT testing. This will make sure that those fitted with non-approved LED light sources continue to fail their MOT test.”
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