Windscreen defrosting and demisting systems for motor vehicles

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 672/2010 — type-approval requirements for windscreen defrosting and demisting systems of certain motor vehicles

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

• It defines EU type-approval requirements for windscreen defrosting* and demisting* systems of category M1 motor vehicles. This category covers vehicles with a maximum of 9 seats.
• It implements Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 on type approval for motor vehicles and trailers.

KEY POINTS

Requirements for windscreen defrosting and demisting systems

Every M1 category vehicle must be equipped with:

• a system for removing frost and ice from the exterior glazed surface of the windscreen. The driver of the vehicle must have adequate visibility through the windscreen in cold weather.
• a system for removing mist from the interior glazed surface of the windscreen.

The efficiency of windscreen defrosting and demisting systems must be verified by tests carried out on the vehicle at a temperature of -8 °C or -18 °C to defrost the ice that has formed on the outside of the windscreen, and a temperature of -3 °C for mist that has formed on the interior of the windscreen.

Rules for EU type-approval

The vehicle manufacturer must submit an application for EU type-approval to the competent authority. The application must contain certain information, including:

• the make and type of vehicle;
• the characteristics of the windscreen defrosting and demisting system on the display panel;
• the characteristics of the vehicle motor heating the system.

If the competent authority considers that the vehicle satisfies all the requirements for windscreen demisting and defrosting systems, it shall grant an EC type-approval and issue a type-approval number in accordance with the numbering system set out in Directive 2007/46/EC.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 17 August 2010.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• Directives and regulations on motor vehicles, their trailers, systems and components (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

Commission Regulation (EU) No 672/2010 of 27 July 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for windscreen defrosting and demisting systems of certain motor vehicles and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 196, 28.7.2010, pp. 5-20)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 200, 31.7.2009, pp. 1-24)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 2007 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) (OJ L 263, 9.10.2007, pp. 1-160)

See consolidated version.

last update 02.05.2019