🛣️ Fixed, vertical road traffic signs, fixed signs — requirements and tests: coefficient of retroreflection RA of glass bead sheeting (CIE 54.2, illuminant A, classes RA1 and RA2), daylight colour and luminance factor β (CIE 15, D65, 45/0, classes CR1 and CR2), durability after weathering, impact resistance, structural performance (loads, deflections); PN-EN 12899-1

Construction PN-EN 12899-1

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. According to clause 1 of EN 12899-1:2007, this part specifies requirements for complete sign assemblies (including supports), signs (sign plates with sign faces), sign plates without sign faces and other major components — retroreflective sheeting, supports and luminaires. Fixed signs are mainly intended for the instruction and guidance of road users on public and private land. The standard does not cover: sign gantry and cantilever structures, signs with discontinuous messages (e.g. using LEDs or fibre optics), variable message signs, signs for temporary purposes, foundations or tests for extremely low temperatures. According to the introduction, it is designed for road authorities (and also private developers), can be used for type approval and certification testing, does not require the replacement of existing signs, and defines performance limits and classes — among others colorimetric and retroreflective properties, luminance and illuminance. The retroreflection requirements and tests concern glass bead materials; the performance of microprismatic materials is specified in the relevant European Technical Approval (ETA). Wind actions can be taken from the values in the standard or according to EN 1991-1-4. "Scope" field of the PKN card for PN-EN 12899-1:2010: "Describes requirements for new fixed signs: non-retroreflective and retroreflective fixed signs, non-retroreflective and retroreflective fixed signs illuminated at night by external light sources, transilluminated signs".

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 12899-1:2007 — EDITION, REFERENCES, TERMS (foreword, clauses 2–3). The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 226 (Road equipment), secretariat AFNOR; CEN approved it on 4 February 2007; national implementation was set at the latest for May 2008, and withdrawal of conflicting national standards for August 2009. It superseded EN 12899-1:2001. It was prepared under a mandate of the European Commission and EFTA; the relationship with the Construction Products Directive is described in informative Annex ZA. Series: part 1 — fixed signs, 2 — transilluminated traffic bollards (TTB), 3 — delineator posts and retroreflectors, 4 — factory production control, 5 — initial type testing. References include: EN 1991-1-4 (wind actions), EN 1993-1-1, EN 1995-1-1, EN 1999-1-1 (steel, timber and aluminium structures), EN 12767 (passive safety of support structures), EN 12899-4, EN 12899-5, EN 13032-1, EN 13201-3, EN 60529, EN ISO 139 (conditioning), EN ISO 877:1996 (natural weathering), EN ISO 4892-2 (xenon-arc lamps), EN ISO 6272 (impact), CIE 15 (colorimetry), CIE 54.2 (retroreflection — definition and measurement), CIE 74:1988 (road signs). Terms (clause 3): sign assembly — sign plate, sign face material and supports; sign — sign plate with the sign face material applied; sign plate — substrate with reinforcing members and fixings; temporary deflection — displacement under load which returns to zero when the load is removed; permanent deflection — remaining after the load is removed; mounting height H — from ground level to the lower edge of the sign plate.

GLASS BEAD RETROREFLECTIVE SHEETING (4.1). Tests at (23 ± 3) °C and relative humidity (50 ± 5) % unless otherwise specified; samples — finished products or representative samples, conditioned according to EN ISO 139 and identified on the back. Colour and luminance factor (4.1.1.3): according to CIE 15, illuminant D65, 45/0 geometry; the chromaticity coordinates and luminance factor β shall conform to Table 1 (class CR1) or Table 2 (class CR2); e.g. white — β ≥ 0.35 for materials of Table 3 and β ≥ 0.27 for materials of Table 4. According to the note, the limits of class CR2 give a more uniform appearance of new signs, and colours beyond the limits of Table 1 may be unsuitable for their purpose. Coefficient of retroreflection RA (4.1.1.4): according to CIE 54.2, illuminant A; minimum initial RA in cd·lx⁻¹·m⁻² — Table 3 (class RA1) or Table 4 (class RA2), at the geometries: observation angle α 12′, 20′ and 2°, entrance angle β1 +5°, +30° and +40° (β2 = 0); e.g. white at α = 12′ and β1 = +5° — 70 (RA1) and 250 (RA2), at α = 20′ and β1 = +5° — 50 (RA1) and 180 (RA2). Printed colours (except white) — at least 70 % of the values of Tables 3 and 4. Durability (4.1.1.5): after weathering the colour and β shall still conform to 4.1.1.3, and RA at α = 20′ and β1 = 5° and 30° (β2 = 0°) shall be at least 80 % of the values of 4.1.1.4; natural weathering for three years according to EN ISO 877:1996, Method A, samples inclined at 45° to the horizontal and facing the equator; the manufacturer may additionally predict durability by artificial weathering in a xenon-arc device according to EN ISO 4892-2 for 2000 h (Table 5: continuous light, water spray 18 min every 2 h, black standard temperature (65 ± 3) °C, relative humidity (50 ± 5) %), but natural weathering shall start not later than the artificial one, and its result takes precedence. Impact resistance (4.1.2): according to EN ISO 6272 — a mass of 450 g with a contact radius of 50 mm dropped from 220 mm; outside a circle of 6 mm radius around the point of impact there shall be no cracking or, for sheeting, delamination from the substrate; the sign supported as when installed or the sample supported over an open area of 100 mm × 100 mm. Microprismatic sheeting (4.2): performance and test procedure — in the ETA.

STRUCTURE (5.1 and table of contents). Steel constructions shall conform to EN 1993-1-1, aluminium ones to EN 1999-1-1, timber ones to EN 1995-1-1, welded fabrications to EN 1011; other materials are acceptable if they enable conformity to the standard. All components and assemblies shall withstand dead and live loads multiplied by the partial safety factors of 5.2. Conformity is verified by calculation (5.4.3) or by testing (5.4.4); deflections are determined between the sign and the support or between the supports and the foundations, deflections of sign plates — relative to the supports. The manufacturer of supports supplied for stock or for unknown conditions of use provides their data: for a constant cross-section — maximum bending moment Mu (kNm), bending stiffness EI (kNm²), maximum torsion moment Tu (kNm), torsional stiffness GIt (kN·m²), or the type and grade of material with all dimensions, or verification of conformity to the purchaser's specification; Mu is given at the designed ground level. In the part read, only titles of the further parts: 5.2 partial safety factors, 5.3 loads, 5.4 deflections; 6 supports (among others 6.3 performance under vehicle impact, 6.4 corrosion resistance); 7 sign plates, sign faces, transilluminated and externally illuminated signs; 8 sign assemblies; 9 marking and product information; 10 evaluation of conformity; 11 dangerous substances; Annex A (normative) — test points for horizontal and vertical loads (wind; snow clearance, dynamic load, load combination); Annex ZA (informative) — among others the procedure for attestation of conformity of fixed vertical road traffic signs and CE marking.

LEGAL ACT. The Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (2018/C 092/06, OJ EU C 92 of 9.3.2018, p. 139) lists EN 12899-1:2007 "Fixed, vertical road traffic signs – Part 1: Fixed signs" as a harmonised standard: no superseded standard, date of applicability as a harmonised standard 1.1.2009, end of the coexistence period 1.1.2013. The Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 3 July 2003 on detailed technical conditions for road signs and signals and road traffic safety devices and the conditions for their placement on roads (consolidated text Journal of Laws 2019 item 2311, in force; amendments: 2021 items 438 and 2066, 2022 item 2377, 2026 item 132) sets its own requirements for sign faces (Annex 1, point 1.3): chromaticity coordinates and minimum luminance factor β for sheeting of type 1 and type 2 (Table 1.3, 45°/0° measurement, illuminant D65), the minimum areal coefficient of retroreflection R′ in cd/lx/m² for new signs made of type 1 and type 2 sheeting (Tables 1.5 and 1.6, illuminant A, observation angle 0.2°, 0.33° and 2°, entrance angle 5°, 30° and 40°) and for signs during their whole guaranteed service life (Table 1.7, α = 0.20°, β1 = 5° — e.g. white: type 1 — 40 up to 3 years and 25 up to 7 years, type 2 — 144 up to 5 years and 126 up to 10 years); prismatic sheeting is subject to the requirements for type 2. Since the 2022 amendment (Journal of Laws 2022 item 2377), point 1.3.2 states that the detailed requirements for glass bead sheeting are "in the relevant standard", and for microprismatic sheeting — in the European or national technical assessment; we did not find the number PN-EN 12899-1 in the text of the regulation or its amendments. In part 1 of the annex the 2026 amendment changes only point 1.4.1 (lettering).

STATUS (PKN cards as of 08.11.2026). The card for PN-EN 12899-1:2010 (Polish version) has no withdrawal label: published 18-01-2010, 60 pages, Building and Building Structures Sector, KT 212 for Road Construction and Maintenance, "Implements: EN 12899-1:2007 [IDT]", "Directive: 305/2011", "Replaces: PN-EN 12899-1:2008 - English version", ICS 93.080.30; corrigenda: PN-EN 12899-1:2010/Ap1:2019-07, /Ap2:2021-01 and /Ap3:2021-05 (all read): Ap1 — in Table 16 the luminance factor β for black "≤ 0.03" instead of "≥ 0.03"; Ap2 — title of Table 4 "Coefficient of retroreflection RA Class RA2, unit: cd · lx⁻¹ · m⁻²"; Ap3 — in Table 2 the luminance factor β for green (see Table 4) "≥ 0.03" instead of "≥ 0.003". Chain of cards: PN-EN 12899-1:2005 (Polish version, it implemented EN 12899-1:2001) — withdrawn 01-09-2009, replaced by PN-EN 12899-1:2008 (English version, EN 12899-1:2007) — withdrawn 18-01-2010, replaced by PN-EN 12899-1:2010, which has no withdrawal. The notation ":2010" in accreditation scopes is therefore the edition in force. CEN catalogue in iTeh (read 08.11.2026): EN 12899-1:2007 — published 07.11.2007, stage "9092 – Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ – revise" since 04.01.2024 (decision to revise the standard after systematic review); the draft amendment EN 12899-1:2007/FprA1 — stage "5098 – Decision to abandon", 27.08.2013; the search results (search term "12899-1") show no new edition and no prEN 12899-1 draft.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, read 08.11.2026; "Laboratories" tab on labcoda.pl, 08.11.2026). The number EN 12899-1 (without the other parts of the series) appears in 13 records at 6 Polish laboratories: AB 023 (5), AB 128 (1), AB 1483 (1), AB 1486 (1), AB 424 (4), AB 503 (1). Notations: "PN-EN 12899-1" without a year (AB 023, AB 128, AB 424 — always together with a second document: CIE 15, CIE 54.2, PN-EN ISO 877, the in-house procedure PB LZE 144/2/12-2024 or, at AB 128, with more than twenty documents — standards, UN Regulations and a directive — in one item), "PN-EN 12899-1:2010" (AB 503), "PN-EN 12899-1:2010 CIE 54.2-2001" (AB 1483) and "PN-EN 12899-1:2010 p. 4.1.1.4 Publ. CIE 54.2" (AB 1486). Outside Poland the number appears in 25 records at 9 Czech laboratories (1018.8 — 6, 1056 — 1, 1135.1 — 2, 1182 — 7, 1263 — 1, 1506 — 2, 1645 — 2, 1716 — 2, 1782 — 2), in 14 of them with a clause of the standard (among others 4.1.1.3, 4.1.1.4, 4.1.1.5, 4.1.2, 5.4.4, 7, 7.1.3). Not included in the set are records with only other parts of the series — among others 8 records of PN-EN 12899-3 at AB 023 and 3 records of PN-EN 12899-3:2010 at AB 424 (delineator posts and retroreflectors). The "Laboratories" tab ("PN-EN 12899-1", matching on the beginning of the notation) shows 15 laboratories — these 6 Polish and 9 Czech ones — with the same number of items as the copy (38) (tab query on labcoda.pl, 08.11.2026). We did not compare the current PCA scope documents of these laboratories with the copy.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (copy of the database, complete items — 13). Coefficient of retroreflection RA — 5 laboratories: AB 1483 (vertical road marking, range (0–2000) cd·m⁻²·lx⁻¹, CIE 54.2-2001), AB 1486 (vertical road marking, (0–2000) cd·m⁻²·lx⁻¹, p. 4.1.1.4), AB 424 (vertical road signs and retroreflective materials, retroreflection method, CIE 54.2), AB 023 (range 0–203 cd/(m²·lx), α = 20′ (0.33°), β = +5°, +30°, +40°), AB 128 (retroreflective materials and devices — colour of reflected light, coefficient of retroreflection, luminance factor and areal coefficient of retroreflection in one item). Colour and luminance factor — AB 023 (daylight chromaticity of fixed signs; luminance factor, CIE 15), AB 424 (luminance factor β and chromaticity coordinates x, y, CIE 15) and AB 128. Natural weathering — AB 424 (resistance to atmospheric conditions, with PN-EN ISO 877). Structure — AB 023 (structural characteristics: temporary deflection in bending and torsion, resistance to dynamic snow load, resistance to wind action, resistance to point loads, permanent deflection, strength of fixing, self-weight — test method or finite element method) and AB 424 (supports: temporary and permanent deflection, strength of the sign plane under point loads). Impact — AB 023 (impact strength). AB 503 — item "Vertical road signs" with PN-EN 12899-1:2010 without the name of the characteristic tested in the copy. Three of the five AB 023 items with this standard (coefficient of retroreflection, luminance factor, impact strength) have in the copy the object "Fixed vertical road traffic signs, Delineator posts and retroreflective devices", and two — "Fixed signs".

WHERE AN APPARENTLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Measurement: RA depends on the geometry — observation angle (12′, 20′, 2°) and entrance angle (+5°, +30°, +40°); a result without the geometry, illuminant A and class (RA1 or RA2) cannot be compared with Tables 3 and 4 (e.g. white RA1: 70 at 12′/+5°, but 50 at 20′/+5°); the scope of AB 023 covers α = 20′. Colours and β are measured with illuminant D65 in 45/0 geometry — a measurement with another illuminant or in another geometry does not meet the condition of 4.1.1.3. Classes CR1 and CR2 have different colour areas, and the white and yellow β limits depend on whether the material belongs to Table 3 or Table 4. Microprismatic sheeting is not assessed against the values of Tables 3 and 4 — its requirements are in the ETA (4.2). Durability: the result of artificial weathering in a xenon-arc device is only a prediction — three-year natural weathering decides; after weathering the RA criterion is 80 % of the minimum value required in 4.1.1.4 (Tables 3 and 4), checked at α = 20′ and β1 = 5° and 30° — not 80 % of the value measured on the same sample before weathering. Assessment against the regulation: the regulation on road signs has its own tables for type 1 and type 2 sheeting — many values are equal to the tables of the standard (white at 0.2°/5°: 70 for type 1 and 250 for type 2, as RA1 and RA2 at 12′/+5°), but not all: e.g. orange at 0.2°/30° — 7 for type 1 against 10 in Table 3 of the standard, yellow type 2 at 0.33°/5° — 122 against 120 in Table 4, and the corners of the yellow colour area for type 1 sheeting in Table 1.3 of the regulation differ from those for yellow of Table 3 in Table 1 of the standard; the regulation also gives values for signs in service (Table 1.7), which are not in the part of the standard read. A result "compliant with PN-EN 12899-1" is therefore not automatically a result compliant with the regulation — it is necessary to name the table against which it was assessed. Ap corrigenda: in the Polish text of the standard without Ap3 the β limit for green (Table 2) reads "≥ 0.003", and without Ap1 the limit for black (Table 16) reads "≥ 0.03" instead of "≤ 0.03". Structure: the requirements can be demonstrated by calculation or by testing (5.1) — the result should state which route (AB 023 has both: test method and finite element method).

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. The part of EN 12899-1:2007 read (iTeh sample, SIST EN 12899-1:2008, English version) covers the title page, table of contents, foreword, introduction and clauses 1–5.1 (with Tables 1–5). We did not read the Polish text of PN-EN 12899-1:2010 (apart from the three Ap corrigenda). We do not give the partial safety factors (5.2), wind, snow and point loads or deflection classes (5.3–5.4, Annex A), requirements for supports (clause 6), sign plates, sign faces, transilluminated and externally illuminated signs (clause 7), rules for evaluation of conformity (clause 10), the contents of Table 16 (known to us only from corrigendum Ap1) or Annex ZA — we have not read these parts. We have not read CIE 15, CIE 54.2 or EN 12899-5. The card for PN-EN 12899-3:2010 (Polish version, implements EN 12899-3:2007, no withdrawal label; read 08.11.2026) — we have not read the contents of this part. We did not check the status of PN-EN ISO 877, PN-EN ISO 4892-2 and PN-EN ISO 6272 on PKN cards. We did not establish whether the reference to the standard in the Official Journal of the EU was changed after the communication of 9.3.2018.

Method principle

Glass bead retroreflective sheeting is tested at (23 ± 3) °C and humidity (50 ± 5) %: the chromaticity coordinates and luminance factor β according to CIE 15 (illuminant D65, 45/0 geometry) are compared with the areas of class CR1 or CR2, and the coefficient of retroreflection RA according to CIE 54.2 (illuminant A) at the geometries α 12′, 20′, 2° and β1 +5°, +30°, +40° — with the minimum values of class RA1 or RA2; durability is checked after three years of natural weathering (RA ≥ 80 % of the values required in 4.1.1.4), and the resistance of the sign face by an impact of a 450 g mass from 220 mm; load-bearing capacity and deflections of the structure are demonstrated by calculation or by testing (EN 12899-1:2007, clauses 4–5.1; further clauses — only titles in the part read).

Applications

• Fixed, vertical road traffic signs — complete assemblies, sign plates with and without sign faces, retroreflective sheeting, supports, luminaires (EN 12899-1:2007, clause 1)
• Type testing and certification of signs; harmonised standard under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (communication 2018/C 092/06)
• Does not apply to gantry and cantilever structures, LED signs, variable message signs, temporary signs or foundations
• In accreditation scopes: 6 Polish laboratories — coefficient of retroreflection RA, colour and luminance factor, natural weathering, structure, impact

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 12899-1:2010 (Polish version; implements EN 12899-1:2007 [IDT])

Title (PL)

Stałe pionowe znaki drogowe — Część 1: Znaki stałe

Title (EN)

Fixed, vertical road traffic signs — Part 1: Fixed signs

Step-by-step procedure

1. Samples

   Finished products or representative samples, identified on the back, conditioned according to EN ISO 139; tests at (23 ± 3) °C and (50 ± 5) % (4.1.1.1–4.1.1.2).

2. Colour and luminance factor

   Measurement according to CIE 15 with illuminant D65 and 45/0 geometry; comparison with the areas and β limits of class CR1 (Table 1) or CR2 (Table 2) (4.1.1.3).

3. Coefficient of retroreflection RA

   Measurement according to CIE 54.2 with illuminant A at the geometries of Tables 3 and 4; comparison with class RA1 or RA2; printed colours — at least 70 % (4.1.1.4).

4. Durability and impact

   Natural weathering 3 years (EN ISO 877:1996, Method A), then colour, β and RA (≥ 80 % at α = 20′, β1 = 5° and 30°); impact of 450 g from 220 mm according to EN ISO 6272 (4.1.1.5, 4.1.2).

5. Structure and result

   Load-bearing capacity and deflections by calculation (5.4.3) or by testing (5.4.4) — only titles in the part read; result with class and measurement geometry. PN-EN 12899-1:2010 — current (PKN card as of 08.11.2026; Polish version, with corrigenda Ap1–Ap3).

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• Load tests of sign assemblies and supports — protection against falling sign plates and posts
• Outdoor natural weathering racks and xenon-arc chamber — radiation from the xenon lamp, protection of eyes and skin
• TECHNICAL NOTE: the RA values of Tables 3 and 4 apply to glass bead sheeting; microprismatic sheeting is assessed according to the ETA

Frequently asked questions