Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 171 - Public Safety Department
Chapter 7425 - VEHICLE LIGHTING, GLAZING, TOWING
VEHICLE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Part 7425.2300 - IDENTIFICATION AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS

Subpart 1. In general.

Lighting devices must be marked and identified to conform with the requirements in subparts 2 to 9.

Subp. 2. Federally regulated lighting devices.

Lighting devices required by federal regulations to conform to Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.108 must be marked according to these federal requirements. Federally regulated equipment may also be marked according to subparts 3 to 5, except as may be prohibited by Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.108.

Subp. 3. Nonfederally regulated lighting equipment; incorporation by reference.

Nonfederally regulated lighting equipment must be marked according to SAE recommended practice J759 MAR82, "Lighting Identification Code-J759 MAR82," 1983 SAE Handbook, published by Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. (Warrendale, PA, 1983), specifying permanent markings to identify device manufacturer, model, year, and functions. This recommended practice is hereby incorporated by reference. The SAE recommended practice J759 MAR82 is available for copying and inspection at the Hill Reference Library, 80 W. Fourth Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102. It is not subject to frequent change.

Subp. 4. Removable bulb.

Each removable bulb must be marked so as to identify the bulb manufacturer and also with the model designation or trade number. The design voltage and either the wattage or ampere rating may be shown instead of model designation or trade number. Bulb markings must be indelible and readable without magnification. In cases of private branding, a means of tracing the actual manufacturer must be provided by the owner of the private brand.

Subp. 5. Optical unit and assembly.

In addition to the manufacturer's name, initials, or lettered trademark, each optical unit and assembly not covered by a lens or filter when in use must have marked on the lens the function code of the SAE standard or recommended practice to which the lamp complies.

Subp. 6. Location.

Lamp and reflex reflector markings sufficient to identify the device as approved, must be located so as to be visible without the removal of any part of the vehicle on which it is installed. Flasher units, built-in signal switches, built-in headlamp housing assemblies, and headlamp beam-switching devices must have the identification marking on the exterior or on the wiring harness, but the markings are not required to be visible on the equipment as installed. Sealed-beam headlamp optical units may have model markings located so as to not be visible as installed on a vehicle, but the manufacturer's name, initials, or lettered trademark, and the lamp designation markings, must be visible on the lens.

Subp. 7. Orientation markings.

For orientation markings, each lamp model and separable component and each reflex reflector that may be rotated or installed in an orientation that does not comply with the applicable standards incorporated by reference in this chapter, must be marked so that the installer and a person inspecting the installed device may readily identify when the equipment is not properly oriented.

Subp. 8. Other markings.

Markings that are not required and not prohibited by Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.108, may also be applied but must not detract from or change the meaning of the required markings.

Subp. 9. Permanent markings.

Markings that are required must be applied so as to be legible for the life of the device.