EN 12899 Fixed, Vertical Road Traffic Signs

The EN 12899 Fixed, vertical road traffic signs standard, a European standard, is designed for use by road authorities. It can also be used by private developers who wish to use signs similar to those used on public roads on their own land.

This standard can be used in the application of type approval and certification tests. It covers performance requirements and test methods. It defines performance limits and a range of performance classes. It includes color measurement and retroreflective properties, as well as brightness and illumination.

The EN 12899 standard consists of the following sub-sections published under the same title:

• The standard “EN 12899-1 Part 1: Fixed Signs” describes the requirements for complete sign assemblies (including supports), signs (signs with surface plates), signs without surface plates, and other main components (reflective coating, supports, and lighting fixtures). The primary purpose of fixed signs is to inform and guide road users on public and private lands.

Topics not covered under this standard:

• Plate scaffolding and cantilever structures
• Intermittent message boards using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or fiber optics.
• Signs with variable messages
• Signs used for temporary purposes
• Fundamentals
• Extremely low temperature tests.

This standard ensures the consistency, safety, and visibility of traffic signs on public and private roads. In line with EU construction products regulation (CPR) 305/2011, it promotes the free movement of these products within the European Union. Manufacturers are required to apply the CE mark to appropriate fixed vertical signs. This mark confirms that they meet essential health, safety, and performance criteria. This mandatory marking enables legal marketing and use throughout the EU.

This standard focuses on durability, visibility (especially at night), and structural integrity to withstand environmental conditions and potential impacts.

The EN 12899-1 standard applies to:

• Complete signage systems (including supports/poles)
• Signs (surface plates)
• Sign boards (without surface)
• Key components include reflective coatings, supports, and exterior lighting fixtures.

This standard includes the following:

• Non-reflective and reflective signs
• Outdoor illuminated signs
• Semi-illuminated signs

This standard does not cover signage scaffolding, cantilever structures, variable message signage, and certain specialized applications such as underground mining. This standard defines performance classes and limits in various critical areas:

• Visual performance:
• Color measurement characteristics (daytime colors)
• Reflection (night visibility using glass bead technology)
• Brightness for illuminated panels.
• Structural performance:
• Resistance to static and dynamic loads (e.g., wind loads)
• Impact performance (related to standards such as EN 12767 for passive safety)
• Durability and materials:
• Resistance to weathering, corrosion, and aging.
• Test methods for reflective materials (e.g., UV exposure, temperature changes)
• Suitability and testing:
• Manufacturers must conduct factory production control and type testing.
• Independent accredited bodies must provide certification for CE marking.
• The standard “EN 12899-2 Part 2: Traffic light barriers (TFBs)” describes new traffic light barriers (TFBs) that may incorporate traffic signs (type 1 TTB) or support traffic signs (type 2 TTB) for use in traffic circulation areas, as well as the requirements and test methods for their installation.

The color measurement, retroreflective properties, and brightness of illuminated parts are specified taking into account CIE recommendations. Structural requirements for TTBs include performance under static and dynamic loading. Safety of use, including vehicle impact, is ensured. Devices with similar functionality but without illumination or with a height of less than 600 mm are excluded.

The foundations are not specified in this standard, but they must be sufficient to support the loads to be carried. Unless otherwise stated, the provisions in this standard apply to both type 1 and type 2 TTBs.

Lighted traffic barriers (TTBs), commonly known as illuminated “left-side” or island barriers, direct traffic around hazards such as roundabouts, islands or center lanes, especially in low visibility conditions. This standard ensures their reliability, visibility and safety across Europe. Like Part 1, it complies with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) No. 305/2011 (EU), which requires CE marking for products placed on the market since 1 January 2013. CE marking facilitates free trade within the EU by confirming compliance with essential safety, durability and performance criteria.

The EN 12899-2 standard applies to new illuminated traffic barriers (TTBs) with a minimum height of 600 mm, including fasteners. Two types of definitions are provided:

• Type 1 TTB: Barriers incorporating traffic signs (e.g., an arrow or symbol is part of the illuminated face).
• Type 2 TTB: Barriers supporting separate traffic signs.

This standard covers barriers used in traffic areas but excludes the following:

• Devices that are not illuminated or are shorter than 600 mm.
• Foundations (must be adequate for the loads, but are not specified here).
• Similar devices without interior lighting.
• The standard “EN 12899-3 Part 3: Boundary marker posts and retroreflectors” describes the requirements for new road marker posts and new retroreflectors, whether used separately or in combination, for use in traffic circulation areas. This standard covers performance requirements and test methods. Color measurement and retroreflective properties are specified taking into account CIE recommendations. Structural requirements include performance under static and dynamic loading. Safety of use, including vehicle impact, is ensured. To define durability, this standard also includes performance levels that must be maintained after exposure to natural weathering. No requirements are given for the colors, dimensions, and tolerances of road marker posts and retroreflectors.

Road markers and reflectors help guide drivers by marking road edges, curves, lanes or hazards, and improve visibility, especially at night, through reflection (the reflection of light back to the source). This standard ensures their effectiveness, durability and safety throughout Europe. As a compliant standard under the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) 305/2011, compliant products must bear the CE mark, which promotes uniform quality and road safety.

This standard applies to:

• New road divider posts (freestanding or with fixed retroreflectors)
• New retroreflectors (as separate products or with poles)
• Complete traffic separators used in circulation areas.

This standard covers both freestanding retroreflectors and combined systems. It does not specify requirements for the colours, dimensions or tolerances of poles and retroreflectors, which are generally determined by national regulations. Exceptions include temporary or portable devices and some special applications.

• The standard “EN 12899-4 Part 4: Factory production control” describes the factory production control requirements for the EN 12899-1, EN 12899-2, and EN 12899-3 standards.

Factory production control is crucial to ensure that every product leaving the manufacturing facility consistently meets the performance requirements specified in other parts of the EN 12899 series. This standard supports the EU construction products regulation (CPR) 305/2011, for which factory production control forms a critical part of the certificate of conformity. For products within this series, manufacturers must have a certified factory production control system in order to apply the CE mark, demonstrate conformity, and allow free circulation in the EU market. Independent notified bodies audit and certify the factory production control process, thus ensuring consistent quality and traceability.

This standard applies to the production of all products included in the EN 12899 series. It specifies the procedures that manufacturers must follow during production, but does not cover the initial type test (EN 12899-5 standard).

• The standard “EN 12899-5 Part 5: Initial type testing” describes the requirements for initial type testing (ITT) for EN 12899-1, EN 12899-2 and EN 12899-3 standards.

Initial type testing is a critical one-off verification process carried out on representative samples before series production begins. It verifies that a product's design meets all specified performance criteria for visual characteristics, structural integrity, and durability. This standard supports the EU construction products regulation (CPR) 305/2011, providing objective evidence of compliance. For mandatory CE marking, a successful initial type test, usually conducted or witnessed by an authorized body, is required in conjunction with factory production control (EN 12899-4 standard). This process contributes to consistent road safety across Europe by guaranteeing the reliable operation of road signs, barriers, and dividers.

This standard applies to initial type testing for the following products:

• Fixed panels
• Illuminated traffic barriers
• Boundary marker posts and retroreflectors

This standard defines what initial type testing (ITT) means, specifies sampling requirements, and details the necessary tests for each product type. Tests are generally performed in accredited laboratories and refer to methods from CIE publications, ISO standards, and other EN documents.

• The standard “EN 12899-6 Part 6: Visual performance of reflective coating materials” describes the visual performance of retroreflective coating materials for road users, expressed in terms of their reflections from vehicle headlights, daylight, and color properties. This standard is under development.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services in accordance with the "EN 12899 Fixed, vertical road traffic signs" standard.