When you buy a new part for your motorcycle, such as turn signals, a headlight or a mirror, it has to be type-approved to pass the inspection. The way to check is to look for its approval mark on the part itself: a letter «e» (or an «E» inside a circle) followed by a number, and then a code.
One important detail: the number next to the «e» shows which European Union country granted the approval, but the approval is valid in every EU country. A part marked «e4» (Netherlands) or «e1» (Germany) is just as valid in Spain as one marked «e9». What matters is that the part is approved for its use, not which country signed the certificate.
Below we explain how that number is read, according to the numbering system set by European rules for motorcycles and other L-category vehicles (Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 and its delegated regulations).
The five sections of the approval number
The EU type-approval number has four sections when it refers to a complete vehicle and five when it refers to a system, component or separate technical unit (for example, a headlight or an exhaust). The sections are separated by an asterisk (*).
- Section 1: the letter «e» followed by the number of the country that granted the approval (see the table below).
- Section 2: the applicable regulation. «168/2013» for a complete vehicle; «3/2014», «44/2014» or «134/2014» for systems, components or technical units. For a national small-series approval, it is preceded by «NKS».
- Section 3: only for systems and components. The latest amending regulation, followed by a letter or code that identifies the type of part (see the code table). It is omitted for complete vehicles.
- Section 4: the sequential number of the certificate, five digits, starting at «00001».
- Section 5: the extension number, two digits, starting at «00». It is only omitted on the vehicle's statutory plate.
Number of each country
| e1 | Germany |
|---|---|
| e2 | France |
| e3 | Italy |
| e4 | Netherlands |
| e5 | Sweden |
| e6 | Belgium |
| e7 | Hungary |
| e8 | Czechia |
| e9 | Spain |
| e11 | United Kingdom |
| e12 | Austria |
| e13 | Luxembourg |
| e17 | Finland |
| e18 | Denmark |
| e19 | Romania |
| e20 | Poland |
| e21 | Portugal |
| e23 | Greece |
| e24 | Ireland |
| e25 | Croatia |
| e26 | Slovenia |
| e27 | Slovakia |
| e29 | Estonia |
| e32 | Latvia |
| e34 | Bulgaria |
| e36 | Lithuania |
| e49 | Cyprus |
| e50 | Malta |
This list comes from the 2014 rules; the United Kingdom was a member state at the time.
Codes for the most common motorcycle parts
Section 3 carries a code that shows what type of part or system is approved. These are the ones you'll come across most when modifying a bike:
| Code | System or part (regulation) |
|---|---|
| A1 / A2 | Engine emissions, Euro 4 / Euro 5 stage (134/2014) |
| D | Sound level (134/2014) |
| G | Noise reduction device (134/2014) |
| H | Exhaust: pollution control and noise reduction (134/2014) |
| J | Braking (3/2014) |
| K | Installation of lighting and signaling devices (3/2014) |
| M | Tire installation (3/2014) |
| N | Audible warning device, the horn (3/2014) |
| Q | Rear visibility device, the mirrors (3/2014) |
| S | Seating position, the saddle (3/2014) |
| W | Passenger handholds (44/2014) |
| X | Footrests (44/2014) |
Examples to learn how to read it
A horn approved in France: e2*3/2014*3/2014N*00003*00
- e2: France (section 1).
- 3/2014: Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014 (section 2).
- 3/2014N: the regulation with no later amendments, with the letter «N» for audible warning device (section 3).
- 00003: certificate number (section 4).
- 00: no extensions (section 5).
A Euro 4 emissions system approved in Bulgaria and extended twice: e34*134/2014*RRR/2016A1*00403*02. Here «RRR/2016» stands for the regulation that amended the original and «A1» for the Euro 4 emissions system.
A complete motorcycle approved in the Netherlands and extended five times: e4*168/2013*10690*05. As a complete vehicle, it has no section 3.
A national small series approved in Austria: e12*NKS168/2013*00001*01.
What to check before buying a part
- That the approval mark is engraved on the part itself and legible, not just on the box or in the listing.
- That the part is approved for the use you'll give it: a turn signal approved as a rear one can't be used at the front.
- That you mount it in the required position: height, spacing and visibility also count at the inspection.
If you're going to change your headlight, turn signals, mirrors or exhaust, our guides (in Spanish) cover what the Spanish ITV usually checks in each case: headlight, turn signals and taillights and exhaust. And if you'd like us to review your case, tell us about your bike.
