When you make or sell things for cars, like rear view monitors, backup cameras, MDVR systems, parking sensors, and also cables, you need to follow the local safety rules. ECE R118 is one main rule you have to know. This rule is important in many European countries.
What Is ECE R118?
ECE R118 is a fire safety rule created by the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) under the United Nations. This rule is about the fire risk for materials in vehicles. It is for Category M and N vehicles. These include buses, trucks, and other vehicles like them.
For products like vehicle monitors, rearview cameras, and DVRs, the plastic housing, cables, connectors, and inside parts must go through a flame test. This helps lower the chance of fire spreading if there is an accident.
Why ECE R118 Is Important for Vehicle Monitors and Cameras
If you want to put a rearview camera, DVR system, or parking sensor in trucks or buses that go in EU or UNECE member countries, you will most times need to follow ECE R118 rules. This is a rule you must keep.
Key reasons include:
- Better Fire Safety: Lowers the chance of a fire from plastic covers or wire wraps that are not up to the rules.
- Get Approved Faster: Makes it easy to get your car or truck accepted in Europe and in some Middle Eastern places.
- Builds Customer Trust: More people who own or run fleets want the parts that have been checked and have approval.
- Long-Lasting Products: Materials that fight fire also stand up better to heat and long use as the years go on.
Which Products Typically Require ECE R118?
- Vehicle monitors that you can have on the dashboard or built in.
- Backup cameras and rearview cameras let you see what is behind.
- 3rd brake light cameras help you look out when you hit the brakes.
- MDVR or DVR systems that can work with more than one kind.
- Parking sensors that use sound or radar to help you park.
- Cables to help video and power go farther.
If you put these in the vehicle cabin or in any other place that has wiring harnesses and things that can catch fire, they have to be covered by ECE R118.
What Happens If a Product Isn’t Certified?
Without ECE R118 certification, your product may:
- Your vehicle might get rejected by EU authorities if you try to get type approval.
- Your name can be left out of OEM procurement lists.
- Your insurance or fleet safety checks could be made void.
- You may fail SGS, TÜV, or other third-party lab tests.
How to Ensure Your Products Comply
- Work with suppliers or makers that already have ECE R118 approval.
- Ask for SGS test reports or certificates for each part, like cables, covers, and screens.
- Check if the approval includes Part 6, Part 7, and Part 8. This will depend on the material your product uses.
At Lintech Kysail, we have vehicle monitors, cameras, DVRs, and parking sensors. All these products are made to match ECE R118 rules. The things we use are flame-retardant to help keep you safe. If you want, we can show you SGS reports with our test results.
Final Thoughts
ECE R118 is more than just a rule. It is a promise to keep people safe. If you work with vehicle monitoring systems, backup cameras, or parking aids, you need to know about this rule and follow it. This step will help your product stand the test of time. It will also help people feel sure about using your product. With this, you will also be sure that you follow the law.
Looking to get vehicle cameras or displays that follow ECE R118 rules? Contact us today to find out more about our products. We test them to make sure they meet these standards.
