Approved amber rotating beacons: requirements and current regulations
Approved amber beacons are essential lighting devices for ensuring road safety for special, emergency, and industrial vehicles. For legal use in Spain and the European Union, these devices must comply with specific technical regulations and undergo an official approval process.
In this article, we explain what they are, what requirements they must meet, and the current regulations governing their use.
What are approved amber rotating lights?
Amber beacons are optical devices that emit a flashing orange light visible in 360 degrees. They are mounted on the top of the vehicle and are used to warn other drivers of the presence of a vehicle traveling at low speed, performing special tasks, or posing a potential temporary hazard.
Only those products that have been tested in an accredited laboratory and meet the legal requirements established by the applicable regulations are considered approved .
Which vehicles must use amber beacons?
Amber rotating lights are mandatory or recommended in the following cases:
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Construction and maintenance vehicles on public roads.
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Agricultural or municipal service vehicles.
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Cranes and roadside assistance vehicles.
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Special transports (unusual dimensions or weight).
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Slow-moving vehicles traveling on interurban roads.
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Some street cleaning or waste collection vehicles.
Technical requirements for approved amber beacons
To be valid, devices must meet a series of technical requirements regarding visibility, flash frequency and resistance:
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Light colour : Amber/orange in compliance with regulations.
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Visibility : Light visible 360° horizontally and at a given vertical angle (usually ±8°).
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Flash frequency : Between 2 and 4 Hz (according to ECE R65 regulations).
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Luminous intensity : Minimum for day and night conditions according to specifications.
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Protection and resistance : Watertightness (IP), resistance to vibrations and shocks, and secure fixation.
Many advanced models incorporate LED technology for its greater durability, low consumption and high luminous efficacy.
Current regulations in Spain and Europe
Amber rotary lights are regulated by national and European standards. The most relevant are:
✅ ECE R65 Regulation
It is the European technical standard that establishes the minimum characteristics that emergency light signaling devices must meet, including:
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Classes of use (Class 1 for daytime visibility; Class 2 for nighttime visibility).
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Minimum and maximum light intensity.
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Angle of visibility.
✅ General Vehicle Regulations (Spain)
In Spain, Royal Decree 2822/1998 establishes the mandatory use of light signals on special or service vehicles. The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) requires that the devices be approved according to European or national regulations.
✅ Approval
Each rotary device must have a visible approval mark on the device itself (for example, "E9" for Spain). This mark guarantees that it has been tested in a laboratory accredited in accordance with UNE EN-ISO 17025 .
How do you know if an amber rotary light is approved?
To check if a newspaper is legal:
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Look for the approval label or engraving (for example: “ECE R65 Class 1 - E9”).
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Request the approval certificate from the manufacturer or distributor.
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Make sure it has been tested in an accredited laboratory.
Consequences of using non-approved rotaries
The use of non-approved rotary lights can lead to:
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Fines or sanctions from the Traffic Department.
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Problems with technical inspections (ITV) .
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Road safety risks due to inadequate visibility.
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Liability in case of accidents.
Conclusion: always choose approved and safe devices
Approved amber beacons are an essential element for active road safety , both for the driver and other road users. Compliance with the regulations is mandatory and necessary to avoid fines and drive safely.
Before purchasing one, always check that it has an ECE R65 approval certificate and that its quality has been tested by accredited laboratories.