EN 13422 Vertical Road Signs - Portable Deformable Warning Devices and Dividers - Portable Road Traffic Signs - Cones and Cylinders

The European standard “EN 13422 Vertical road signs - Portable deformable warning devices and dividers - Portable road traffic signs - Cones and cylinders” describes the requirements for new traffic cones and new traffic cylinders with reflective properties.

This standard specifies minimum essential visual and physical performance characteristics, test methods for determining product performance, and how this performance can be communicated to the user and the public (including safety enforcement agencies). This standard provides a range of categories or classes into which a traffic cone or traffic roller can be specified for use in different applications, in accordance with best practice.

In terms of physical properties, performance levels and indicator tests are provided for cold weather, stability, and impact resistance to drops. Requirements are provided for visual recognition properties, including color, reflectivity, and brightness. Provisions are provided for identification and marking according to the declared performance levels.

There are other product forms that perform similar functions. This standard does not cover devices manufactured in other forms or that do not meet the design requirements of this document.

This standard provides requirements for the construction and visual performance of traffic cones and cylinders. Daytime visual performance is specified by color and brightness factor. Nighttime visual performance is specified by the back-reflection coefficient, the back-reflected brightness coefficient, and the relative distribution of back-reflection performance.

In short, the EN 13422 standard is a European standard that specifies requirements for portable road traffic signs, traffic cones and rollers (also known as dividers or barriers) used specifically in road works, traffic management and temporary signage.

This standard applies to new traffic cones and rollers with retroreflective properties that provide visibility day and night. It defines minimum essential visual (e.g., colour, brightness, retroreflection) and physical (e.g., durability, stability) performance characteristics. The standard also outlines test methods for verifying these characteristics and ways to communicate performance to users, including authorities responsible for road safety.

This standard covers the following:

• Materials: Cones and cylinders can be made from plastic, rubber, or other deformable materials that allow them to flex upon impact without causing excessive damage to vehicles.
• Dimensions and design: Specified heights (e.g., common sizes 500 mm, 750 mm, 1000 mm), base stability, stackability, and cylindrical or conical shapes.
• Color and back reflection: Orange/red bodies, usually with white back-reflective casings or bands for high visibility. Back-reflective materials must meet specific back-reflective coefficients for nighttime visibility.
• Performance tests include the following:
• Impact resistance (e.g., vehicle crash simulation)
• Low temperature performance
• Stability (wind resistance, resistance to tipping over)
• Drop tests, bending tests, and fatigue tests.
• Daylight color accuracy and brightness factors

Products conforming to the EN 13422 standard ensure uniformity across Europe, enhancing road worker and driver safety during temporary traffic controls.

Temporary traffic management relies heavily on these portable devices to warn drivers of hazards, lane closures, or deviations. Standardization reduces risks in construction sites or emergencies by preventing substandard products from entering the market. Many European countries have adopted this standard as a national standard. In Europe, compliance with this standard is mandatory for companies operating in traffic management, manufacturing, or supply sectors for legal and safety reasons.

The EN 13422 standard plays a critical role in road safety across Europe. These devices are essential for temporary traffic management during road works, accidents, events, and emergencies; they guide drivers, protect workers, and prevent accidents. This standard is considered important for the following reasons:

• Improves visibility and warning effectiveness: This standard requires specific retroreflective properties, colours (typically fluorescent orange/red and white bands) and brightness levels. This ensures the cones have high visibility day and night, even in bad weather or low light conditions. Low-visibility markers can cause drivers to miss hazards and increase the risk of accidents in construction areas.
• They provide physical durability and safety upon impact: The cones must be able to deform (made of flexible materials such as plastic or rubber) so that they bend and collapse when struck by a vehicle. This minimizes damage to the vehicle and reduces the risk of injury to passengers. Rigid, non-standard barriers can cause serious vehicle damage or secondary accidents. The standard includes impact resistance, stability (e.g., wind resistance), low-temperature performance, and drop/fatigue tests.
• It promotes uniformity and consistency across Europe: By harmonizing specifications (dimensions, materials, classes for different applications), it prevents substandard products from entering the market. This uniformity helps drivers recognize and respond to warnings predictably, regardless of the country.
• It protects road workers and drivers: Well-placed, standardized cones create clear and safe zones in high-risk areas such as construction sites. Proper traffic control reduces confusion, speeding, and sudden maneuvers, which are common causes of workplace accidents.
• Legal and supply requirements: In many European Union countries, compliance is mandatory for use on public roads. It supports best practices, provides clear performance communication to users, and is often linked to broader regulations such as CE marking.

Without this standard, low-quality cones could fail prematurely, lose their reflectivity, or become hazardous themselves, directly contributing to accidents. The EN 13422 standard helps save lives by making temporary traffic management reliable, visible, and less damaging in collisions.

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 to businesses in accordance with the "EN 13422 Vertical road signs - Portable deformable warning devices and separators - Portable road traffic signs - Cones and cylinders" standard.