ISO 10604-2026 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10604:2026 — Road vehicles — Measuring procedure for aiming of luminous beams of front lighting devices. This International Standard specifies procedures to measure or verify the aiming of the luminous beams emitted by front lighting devices fitted to motor vehicles (excludes mopeds and motorcycles) and is published in PDF by ISO.

Abstract

ISO 10604:2026 defines test conditions, vehicle preparation, and two alternative measurement procedures (using a distant aiming screen or a movable front‑lighting testing system), together with required photometric measurement steps for aiming checks of vehicle front lighting. The standard is intended to provide a reproducible method for verifying correct beam orientation.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: January 2026.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 43.180 (Road vehicle engineering — Lighting and light‑signalling).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2026).
• Number of pages: 13 pages.

Scope

The standard applies to measurement and verification of the aiming (orientation) of luminous beams from front lighting devices installed on road motor vehicles, excluding mopeds and motorcycles. It establishes the test area plane and environmental/test conditions, specifies how the vehicle should be prepared for testing, and gives two accepted measurement procedures (distant aiming screen and movable testing systems), together with photometric measurement requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined test conditions and layout of the test area plane for repeatable aiming checks.
• Vehicle preparation rules (loading, tyre pressure, fuel/load state, and positioning) to ensure consistent aiming results.
• Procedure using equipment with a distant aiming screen for stationary aiming checks.
• Procedure using a movable front‑lighting testing system suitable for workshop/inspection environments.
• Photometric measurement instructions to record beam position and intensity as part of the aiming verification.
• Exclusions and intended vehicle classes (mopeds and motorcycles excluded).

Typical use and users

Primary users include vehicle manufacturers (R&D and production quality teams), independent test laboratories, vehicle inspection and MOT/periodic inspection stations, automotive lighting equipment manufacturers, and regulatory or conformity assessment bodies that require a standardized method for headlamp aiming verification. Garages and service centers performing headlamp alignment for maintenance will also use the procedures and test equipment specified by this standard.

Related standards

ISO 10604 complements other vehicle lighting and visibility standards and national regulations. Relevant documents and regulatory frameworks include UNECE vehicle lighting regulations (e.g., provisions in R48 and related UN Regulations), and regional requirements such as FMVSS 108 in the United States which addresses headlamp performance and aiming requirements. Other ISO/TC 22/SC 35 deliverables on lighting, visibility and related test methods (e.g., technical specifications for exterior lighting treatments or anti‑fog coatings) are also pertinent when implementing full lighting compliance and testing programs.

Keywords

headlamp aiming, front lighting, beam alignment, photometric measurement, vehicle lighting, ISO 10604, automotive testing, aiming screen, movable testing system, road vehicles

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10604:2026 is an International Standard that specifies measurement procedures for aiming (orientation) of luminous beams from front lighting devices on road motor vehicles (excluding mopeds and motorcycles).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test area layout and conditions, vehicle preparation, two aiming measurement procedures (distant aiming screen and movable testing systems), and photometric measurement steps to record beam aim and intensity.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Vehicle manufacturers, lighting suppliers, test laboratories, inspection/MOT stations, garages performing headlamp alignment, and regulators or conformity assessment bodies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10604:2026 is the current published edition (Edition 2, January 2026). It replaces the earlier ISO 10604:1993 which was withdrawn.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: The standard is part of the ISO/TC 22/SC 35 portfolio addressing lighting and visibility for road vehicles; related ISO/TS and ISO standards cover complementary subjects such as anti‑fog coatings, visibility vocabularies and other lighting test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: headlamp aiming, beam alignment, photometry, front lighting devices, aiming screen, vehicle inspection, ISO 10604.