Wholesale ECE 104 Reflective Tape – Vehicle Conspicuity Tape Manufacturer

ECE 104 is a regulation that establishes guidelines for the use of retro-reflective safety markings on heavy goods vehicles operating throughout Europe.

Since July 2011, all newly registered HGVs over 7.5 tonnes and trailers over 3.5 tonnes operating in the UK, are required by law to be fitted with homologated retro-reflective markings. These must clearly outline the rear and sides of the vehicle to make it visible for up to 1000 meters in low light conditions. ECE104 specifies the standard for the reflective materials used and where and how they must be positioned on the vehicle or trailer.

These materials are divided into 3 categories.

• Category “C”: Profiling materials
• Category “D”: material for unique markings/graphics for limited areas
• Class “E”: material used for distinctive markings/graphics for extended areas, with Class “C” being the highest class in terms of reflectivity and Class “E” being the lowest.

By implementing the Lighting Regulation 48-03, the EU has made the ECE 104 Category C conspicuity marking mandatory*. the KWVINYL ECE 104 Reflective Tape range has been specifically designed to meet this new requirement.

Since 10 July 2011, the use of conspicuity marking is mandatory for new trucks with a maximum tonnage of more than 7.5 tonnes (N2 and N3) and trailers with a tonnage of more than 3.5 tonnes (O3 and O4). ).

The requirements of 10 July 2011 are contained in a revised version of the Lighting Directive 76/756 (Directive 2007/35), which governs the installation of lighting and signaling equipment on motor vehicles in the EU. Directive 2007/35 specifies this date in Article 2 below.

From 10 July 2011, if a Member State fails to comply with the requirements set out in Directive 76/756 / EEC as amended by this Directive for reasons relating to the installation of lighting and signaling devices, it shall be taken into account that its accompanying new car conformity certificate in accordance with Directive 70/156 / EEC is no longer valid, Article 7 of that Directive for the purpose (1).

In order to clarify the requirements that need to be met by automotive OEMs before 10 July 2011, Directive 2007/35 has also been clarified in parameter 5.3 Reference is made to the following series of amendments to Regulation 48, 03 published in EU journals.

(3) In order to take account of the further amendments to UN/EEC Regulation 48(3) already voted by the Community, Directive 76/756/EEC shall be adapted to the requirements of this UN/EEC Regulation by adapting it to technical progress. For the sake of clarity, Annex II of Directive 76/756/EEC should be replaced.

Like in any Directive, there is also a requirement given in Article 3 for all members of the EU to transpose and publish the text of this Directive for reasons of notice and transparency by 9 July 2008 in their national RVLR regulations.

ECE 104 conspicuity tape requirements: Since July 2011, ECE 104 has stipulated that all newly registered over 7500 kilograms of heavy trucks and more than 3500 kilograms of trailers should have reflective markings, clearly outlining the rear and side sides of vehicles, so as to improve their visibility.

ECE 104 regulation also provides for the standard of reflective material used and the position it must be on the vehicle or trailer. But even before ECE 104, team managers usually use a reflective marking on vehicles.

Many fleet managers realized that reflective marking on vehicles helps prevent accidents, save lives, reduce vehicle downtime and maintenance, protect employees on roads and car factories, and provide customers with a more professional image.

Marking of Different Vehicle Types

On most European trucks, semi-trailers, and trailers, it is easy to apply ECE 104 compliant eye-catching markings; this means that it is easy to find the right place on the vehicle where the tape should be applied, and the application itself is not complicated.

However, on some vehicles, imagining where or how to get the eye-catching tape to make the vehicle compliant can be trickier. Therefore, we’ve created an overview of some of the most common vehicle types and provided guidelines on where to apply the tape.

Please note that these are only guidelines and if in doubt, you should always consult your local authority. KWVINYL cannot be held responsible for any applications that fail to comply.

1. Car Transporters

Can you mark car transporters?

The answer is yes!

With car carriers, the sides are usually easier to mark with horizontal lines. In most cases, top corners are not possible.

The rear is more complex, but the solution can be to mark the vertical and upper horizontal lines on the rear profile. If the vehicle construction makes marking impossible due to lack of width, there is the option of riveting to the aluminum frame at the corners (see photo) and applying eye-catching tape to it.

2. Concrete Mixers

Can you mark concrete mixers?

The answer is yes!

Working on the side of a concrete mixer is not easy, but it can be covered by 40% or more with special fittings. In most cases, it is helpful to use a corner aluminum frame (see photo) to rivet it to the vehicle. The tape is then applied to the frame.

The rear can usually be marked with a line marker.

3. Skeletal / Container Chassis

Can we mark skeletal constructions?

The answer is yes!

Application on skeletal constructions (container chassis) is not easy, but according to special vehicle regulations, at least 40% of the sides are usually covered. Usually, it is easy to apply on a 20-foot container carrier and more difficult to apply on a large 40-foot container carrier.

Usually, the rear of the vehicle is OK.

4. Curtain Siders

Can curtain siders be marked?

The answer is Yes!

Application on curtains/tarpaulins is easy. The KWVINYL ECE104 Curtain grade tape has been made with a vinyl construction, which allows a sufficient degree of flexibility to follow the flexing and movements of the curtain. The tape comes with either a standard pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back (clean the surface, stick it on!) or a heat-activated adhesive.

The curtain grade tapes are available both as continuous strips or in a segmented version.

A great deal of curtain siders has a rigid structure to the rear. In that case, you should choose a conspicuity tape designed for this type of application.

5. Hook Lifts

Can hook lift be marked?

The answer is Yes!

Although the application of conspicuity markings is not easy on all hook lifts, it is usually possible to cover at least 40% as per the special application authorization. In most cases, a significantly larger percentage can easily be covered.

On the structure above the wheels, it may be necessary to re-apply the conspicuity marking tapes to an aluminum frame which is then riveted onto the vehicle.

6. Special Vehicles

Can Special Vehicles be marked?

The answer is in most cases Yes!

The category ‘Special Vehicles’ covers a lot of different vehicle types, and indeed some of these can be more tricky or indeed impossible to apply the conspicuity markings too. However, the majority of these applications are possible.

6.1 Road Sweepers

In the UK and some other countries, road sweepers are equipped with chevron markings to the rear. ECE 104 conspicuity markings can indeed be applied to the rear of these as well. Regulation 48 states that “additional retroreflective devices” can be applied to a vehicle as long as they don’t obscure mandatory devices fit to comply with Regulation 48. In the case of the Chevron, which would be treated as “additional”, it will not obscure the ECE 104 tape as long as it is applied to the inside of the bumper and as long as the mounting height of tape on the vehicle above the ground is equal or more than 250mm.

6.2 Timber Transporters

Some timber transporters have a rigid structure, which makes side and rear marking possible – either directly on the structure, or pre-applied to an aluminum frame. However, for the timber transporters without a bottom structure going to the edge of the vehicle, the application is not considered possible.

7. Flat Bed Trailers

Can the Flat Bed Trailer be marked?

The answer is Yes!

Application on flatbed trailers is quite easy. You do the marking as a line marking, both to the side and to the rear. Upper top corners are not possible due to the trailer construction.

8. Tankers

Can it be marked?

The answer is Yes!

In most cases application on tankers is easy. For the curved rear outline, KWVINYL has designed a special version of the pre-cut reflective tape, which we call Pre-cut Tanker Stickers. This product is supplied in a continuous roll, where you peel off pre-cut individual labels (each 16 cm long) which are then easily applied to the vehicle. It is recommended that you start your application by marking the 4 ‘corners’ (top / 90 degrees / 180 degrees / 270 degrees). You then measure the open space between 2 pieces and calculate how much space you will have between each additional piece.

9. Refrigerated Trailers

Can refrigerated trucks be marked?

The answer is Yes!

Application on refrigerated trucks is easy with KWVINYL ECE 104 R Tape.

10. Tippers

Can it be marked?

The answer is Yes!

The application of conspicuity marking tapes to tippers is easy.

11. Rigid Bodies

Can the vehicle body be marked?

The answer is Yes!

Application on rigid vehicle bodies is easy with KWVINYL ECE104 Tape. The tape comes with a normal pressure-sensitive adhesive.

12. Refuse Trucks

Can refuse trucks be marked?

The answer is Yes!

Application on refuse trucks is easy with KWVINYL ECE 104 Rigid Grade Tape.

Need a Hand?

If you’re not sure where to attach the marker tape to a specific vehicle, send us a photo of the vehicle, and let us work with you to find the best solution.

Contact us today! (Our E-Mail: info@kwvinyl.com; WhatsApp/Skype: +86 15715991923)

Note: The examples provided in this section are for guidance only. KWVINYL recommends that you always liaise with your local authority to ensure 100% compliance with the placement of the prominent marking tape on your vehicle.

Side Markings

Local outline markings for vehicles exceeding 6,000 mm in length fall into the following categories.

• Maximum mass over 7.5 tonnes for N2, maximum mass for N3 (except for chassis cabs, incomplete vehicles, and semi-trailer tractors)
• O3 and O4

The mandatory local contour markings may be replaced by full-contour markings.

Retro-reflective marking strips must be in accordance with ECE 104 “C” category.

Rear Marking

(a) Complete rear-end profile markings on vehicles exceeding 2,100 mm in width, in the following categories.

Trucks: N2 and N3 with a maximum mass of more than 7.5 tons (chassis cabs, incomplete vehicles, and semi-tractors excepted).

Trailer: o3 and o4 However, line markers may be installed if shape construction, design, or operational requirements preclude the installation of forced contour markers.

Retro-reflective marker strips shall be in accordance with ECE 104 “C” category.

Reflective tape (also known as retro-reflective tape) works by reflecting light back to the light source only.  In other words, the tape only lights up for the person with the light source or in line with it.

For example, let us say two people were walking down a street with one person on each side of the street. If person “A” has a flashlight and shines it down the street at some reflective tape on a trailer the tape will light up for them.  However, the person on the other side of the street will probably not see the tape light up.  If both shined a light down the street they would both see the tape.  This happens because the tape contains either glass beads or prisms that collect light, focus it, and bounce it back to the source.

Side Markings

At least 80% of the length of the vehicle (not including the length of the cab) must be marked. This can be reduced to 60% for difficult applications and 40% for exceptionally difficult applications.

The lower line of the marking tape must be placed at least 250 mm from the ground and not more than 1500 mm in height. It can be extended to 2500mm in special cases.

The length of the upper corner markers must be at least 250 mm. the upper corner markers should be placed as high as possible but within 400 mm of the upper end of the vehicle.

Where it is not possible to apply the top corner markings for structural reasons of the vehicle, it is permitted to apply separate line markings.

Complete contour markings are required at the rear unless this is not possible for structural reasons of the vehicle.

The maximum height requirements for the lower horizontal line are the same as those for the side markings (see above).

You want to mark your HGV with reflective tape, but how can you be sure that the reflective tape you bought has actually been approved?

There are many reflective strips on the market, which vary greatly in quality and price. Many reflective strips are 50 mm wide and come in the new law’s yellow, red and white colors.

But that’s not enough! The key is to look for the so-called “E-Mark” – a mark that is permanently printed on approved reflective tape at least every 50 centimeters.

How does a tape manufacturer obtain an E-Mark?

In order to receive the approval mark, retro reflective tapes must meet all of the minimum requirements of the regulations. This means that, as a user, you can be sure of the tape’s performance, including reflectivity, correct color, durability in all weather conditions, and more. Approved tapes are extensively tested at a European approved testing facility and only those tapes that pass all tests are awarded the E mark.

C:

This means that it is certified as a Class C under the 104 regulations.
Grade C is the correct grade for line/contour marking tapes.

E+ Number

This indicates the country in which the tape was certified by the testing agency. For example, E4 means that the tape was certified at a facility in the Netherlands.

104 R+ Number

104 R indicates that the tape was approved under the ECE 104 regulation. The last digit is the actual approval number of the tape.

What exactly do the elements in the E-mark mean?

Certified tapes display an E-Mark, which is the same or similar to the markings in our product pictures. (This specific mark applies to ECE 104 tapes, approved for rigid surfaces).

So make sure that the tape you buy for your truck comes with an e-mark; this is not only a guarantee of quality and high performance but also a guarantee that you are complying with the law.

Being Seen is Being Safe

The ECE104 guide provides improved road safety through visibility and improves legibility and visibility at night, which is good news for drivers and their vehicles. Since July 2011, all commercial vehicles have been required to be fitted with eye-catching reflective signage tape. The life-sustaining measures are an important step in further reducing the risk of accidents and making road transport safer.

One of the main objectives of marking HGVs with reflective tape is to reduce the number of accidents in low-light conditions involving trucks and trailers. Led by Italy, Romania, Poland, and Slovakia, the signage belts became mandatory in Germany and many other countries in July 2011. The ruling applies to all newly registered commercial vehicles of 7.5 tonnes and above, as well as trailers of 3.5 tonnes and above. Reflective materials must now be applied to the side and rear of all relevant vehicles in accordance with UNECE Regulation ECE 48-03. The move finally acknowledges that marking tape can significantly reduce the number of accidents involving long articulated vehicles and trucks – something that has been proven in a number of investigations, including the European Darmstadt study. For ORAFOL, it is important to combine safety with user requirements to maximize customer benefits.

A number of studies have been conducted documenting the positive effects of conspicuity marking, and the NHTSA study estimated that the potential reduction in the above types of accidents would be no less than 41%.

Yellow. Can be used on the side and/or rear.

Red. Can be used at the rear.

White. Available for side

*) Note: Special marking requirements for Poland and Ireland.

• Poland. Only yellow in the back.
• Ireland. Only red to the back.

It is always advisable to consult with the state road administration to find out the special requirements of the state for the use of colors.