Many UN Regulations deal about lighting and light-signalling. Especially many light-signalling regulations exist: 6, 7, 23, 38, 50, 77, 87 and 91. Also regulations 4 and 119 could be treated as such regulations. A big part of each regulation is quite similar. The main differences are the luminous intensity and colour requirements because of the different functionality. A part of each regulation is intended to be the same but some parts are intentionally different.

If the regulations are accurately read and compared, one can find small differences in the text and e.g. the general requirements. Some of these differences might be not intentional. The reader can however not be sure of that. These differences are part of the legal system and can lead to unwanted different judgements. One can think about the markings, the light source options, type or single lamp definitions, interdependent lamps, application for approval, test procedures, communication form, CoP procedures and more.

These similar regulations also cause troubles for the rule makers, who have to modify the regulations independently resulting in a lot of paper work and possible errors.

New ideas (draft regulations) are under development to solve these rule maker problems. This finally will result in a reduced number of active lighting regulations.

This IFAL contribution will contain a short explanation on what publications are available. Will there be advantages for the users of the new regulations too? And an overview of the advantages (pro’s) and disadvantages (contra’s) especially from a technical service point of view will be listed and explained.