GB4785-2019
Prescription for installation of the external lighting and light-signalling devices for motor vehicles and their trailers
汽车及挂车外部照明和光信号装置的安装规定
GB 4785-2019 is a current mandatory Chinese national standard for Prescription for installation of the external lighting and light-signalling devices for motor vehicles and their trailers. It appears in the Electronics compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of Jul 1, 2020.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard specifies the installation requirements for external lighting and light-signalling devices on motor vehicles and their trailers. It applies to M, N, and O category vehicles (passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and trailers) entering the Chinese market. It is mandatory for all vehicle manufacturers and type approvals. The standard does not apply to internal lighting or specialized agricultural machinery not classified under these vehicle categories.
Technical requirements
The standard defines comprehensive general and special requirements for the installation, number, positioning, and geometric visibility of various vehicle lamps. Key aspects include the strict regulation of color requirements (white, red, amber, etc.) for specific signaling functions and the prohibition of red light visibility from the front and white light visibility from the rear. It mandates specific height, spacing, and angular visibility limits for headlamps, fog lamps, position lamps, and retro-reflectors. Manufacturers must ensure that all lighting devices maintain their optical characteristics and structural integrity under normal vehicle vibration and usage conditions. For advanced lighting technologies, the standard outlines specific operational and circuit connection rules. It includes detailed provisions for Adaptive Front Lighting Systems (AFS), requiring automatic mode switching (such as C, V, E, and W modes) based on vehicle speed, environmental lighting, and weather conditions without causing glare to other road users. Additionally, it regulates modern signaling functions like Emergency Stop Signals (ESS) and Rear-end Collision Alert Signals (RECAS), specifying their exact activation conditions, such as relative vehicle speed and Time-To-Collision (TTC) thresholds. Vehicles equipped with high-luminosity headlamps must also be fitted with headlamp cleaning devices. The standard also addresses circuit connectivity and driver interface requirements. It enforces rules for the simultaneous operation of position, end-outline marker, and side marker lamps. For vehicles equipped with Daytime Running Lamps (DRL), the standard requires automatic control mechanisms for passing lamps or driver warning systems to ensure rear position lamps are activated when necessary. Any failure in the lighting system must not compromise the mandatory signaling functions required for safe vehicle operation.
Testing methods
Compliance is verified through type testing and Conformity of Production (COP) inspections. The standard references visual and photometric evaluations to ensure lamps meet geometric visibility and colorimetric boundaries. Key testing procedures include measuring the vertical inclination variation of the passing beam cut-off line under various vehicle loading conditions (as defined in Annex A and Annex D). For advanced systems like AFS and automatic headlamps, Annex E mandates road tests to verify that automatic control functions operate without causing discomfort or glare to drivers and oncoming traffic.
FAQs
What products and vehicles are regulated under GB 4785-2019?
GB 4785-2019 applies to the installation of external lighting and light-signalling devices on M, N, and O category motor vehicles and their trailers. It covers requirements for vehicles manufactured or type-approved for the Chinese market.
Are there any significant updates from the previous version of GB 4785?
The 2019 version introduces several updates, including the addition of requirements for Adaptive Front Lighting Systems (AFS), cornering lamps, manoeuvring lamps, and rear-end collision alert signals (RECAS). It also mandates that vehicles equipped with daytime running lamps must have automatic activation/deactivation of passing lamps or provide warnings to the driver. It is a fully mandatory standard.
How does GB 4785-2019 differ from international ECE standards?
The technical content of GB 4785-2019 is largely referenced from ECE R48 (Regulation No. 48 of the Economic Commission for Europe) 06 series and its supplements. While the core technical requirements and testing principles are highly aligned with international ECE standards, manufacturers must still ensure specific Chinese compliance for type approval.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 4785-2019. To ensure complete compliance for your vehicles entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 4785-2019 today to access all detailed parameters, tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Safety
- CCS
- T38
- ICS
- 43.040.20
- Competent department
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
- Technical committee
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Relationships
Replaces:GB 4785-2007