Thomas Reiners, Chair of CIE Technical Committee TC2-67 and recently appointed Chairman of GTB Working Group Photometry, has shared the exciting news of the publication of International Standard CIE S 027:2024 “Photometry of road illumination devices, light-signalling devices and retroreflective devices for road vehicles.” This new International Standard represents a major step forward in the photometry of road illumination devices, light-signalling devices, and retroreflective devices for road vehicles.
The new standard was prepared by TC2-67, a technical committee comprising members from GTB WG Photometry or individuals from national metrological institutes, technical services and equipment manufacturers. The goal was to create an internationally recognized standard applicable to testing of approved automotive lighting devices.
CIE S 027:2024 is the first truly International Standard providing requirements for performing reproducible photometric and colorimetric measurements on road illumination devices, light-signalling devices and retroreflective devices to be used in road vehicles. It also provides guidance on reporting the data and lists major equipment, instrumentation and procedures for recording the properties of approved lighting devices according to requirements specified in corresponding UN regulations. However, the standard can be equally applied for testing according to other national or international standards.
The availability of reliable and accurate photometric data for the type approval of road illumination devices, light-signalling devices and retroreflective devices is a basic requirement for comparability between industry and test facilities as well as between technical services and approval authorities. By obtaining these data through measurements under specific normalized measuring conditions, the consistency of the data should be ensured between different laboratories within the limits of the declared measurement uncertainty.
This International Standard aims, in particular, to cover measurement methods for testing the compliance of approved road illumination devices, light-signalling devices and retroreflective devices with the photometric and colorimetric requirements as stated in various UN regulations for a range of lighting applications in road vehicles. For each photometric and colorimetric property, the possible data acquisition process(es) with their uncertainties are considered individually.
Although CIE S 027:2024 focuses on lighting equipment for road vehicles, it can also be used for conformity testing of any lighting equipment, such as navigation lights, airfield lighting, light-signalling equipment for traffic control, or retroreflectors used in public areas.
This International Standard is written in English. It consists of 86 pages with 38 figures and 14 tables, and it is readily available from the CIE Webshop or from the National Committees of the CIE.
CIE and GTB are exploring opportunities to organize training sessions to support the implementation of this standard in practical settings. Details will follow as plans are developed.
* In his daily role, Thomas Reiners works for LMT Lichtmesstechnik GmbH in Berlin. He has been actively involved in GTB and CIE for the past 20 years. His academic background includes a PhD in physics. Before joining LMT, he held global responsibility for the Automotive Lighting Application Department at OSRAM.