1. GRE Task Force on Substitutes / Retrofits (TF S/R)
1st meeting 14 December 2017, 10:30 – 15:30 CET Philipsstraße 8, Aachen, Germany (building PV1, room 501/502

2. By the chairman of the task force
Historical Review
By the chairman of the task force
1. RETROFITS
2. SUBSTITUTES

3. Fundamental Law of Replaceable Light Sources: Replaceable light sources of the same category and the same cup-holder-system shall generate in any lamp , which was approved with that category,
- the same lighting performance
- independently from the optical construction of
the lamp and
- independently from the light source technology.

4. Retrofits
LED retrofit light sources are light sources , which generate the same light performance in any lamp, which was approved with the filament lamp of the same [corresponding] category without any exception.
LED retrofit light sources generate a light a light distribution , which correspond to the light distribution of the equivalent filament light source (see data sheet).

5. Results of the discussion:
Several delegations don‘t like it;
Car manufacturers see problems with the light source failure detection;
Device manufacturers see problems with the different physical characteristics;
A „positive list“ is proposed.
The “positive List” shall be provided by the light source manufacturer!

6. 2. Substitutes:
LED substitute light sources are an alternative solution to avoid problems created by the “Retrofits”.
LED substitute light sources became legal by an approval with a signalling lamp;
LED substitute light sources are light sources , which generate the same light performance in any lamp, which was approved with the filament lamp of the same [corresponding] category without any exception.
LED substitute light sources generate a light a light distribution , which correspond to the light distribution of the equivalent filament light source (see data sheet).

7. Results of the discussion:
Some delegations see the danger of misuse;
Car manufacturers see problems with the listing of the additional information;
Some delegates see still problems with the light source failure detection;
Some delegates see need of a special key to avoid “misuse”.
A „use list“ is proposed.
The “List” shall be provided by the light source manufacturer!

8. Conclusion In GRE 78:
19. GRE noted that the discussion addressed two different, but interrelated issues: (a) allowing LED substitutes for new type approvals, as part of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Original Equipment Supplier (OES), and (b) using LED as retrofits on old vehicle types. Some experts were of the view that the two cannot be separated from one another. To make progress, GRE agreed to establish a task force. The expert from Germany stated that another expert from his country would act as Chair of the task force, while the expert from UK provisionally agreed to become Co-Chair. The expert from IEC volunteered to provide secretarial support.

9. Differences between Retrofits and Substitutes:
Retrofits are created and approved by the decision of the light source manufacturers only;
Substitutes are created and approved by the decision of the light source manufacturers, but became legal with a lamp approval requested by the final customers;
In any case the necessary information for the customers (vehicle owners) shall be provided by the light source manufacturers!