Road
signs uk road safety signs
BSI - Kitemark® for Road Signs: The Route to Compliance
BSI are pleased to announce the launch of
the Kitemark scheme for road traffic signs to assist
manufacturers comply with new European Legislation EN12899-1.
The Kitemark can be assigned to the reflective material, the
entire sign, plus the construction of the sign and there are
already Kitemark licensees on the scheme.
Road signs have been identified as “High Risk” under the
Construction Products Directive (CPD) because of their function
of informing and warning the motorist. This being so, they must
be independently assessed to gain the required CE mark in the
very near future.
Kitemark® value for purchasing and specifying…
This new Kitemark scheme will allow purchasing and specifying
functions to identify those manufacturers who are already
complying with the future requirements of the new Directive, and
are adhering to strict quality processes, such as ISO 9000, to
ensure the continuing high standard of their products.
Those responsible for purchasing and specifying such products
choose Kitemark because of the benefits of reducing the risk
through using safe, quality products, increase their confidence
that their chosen product will meet or exceed performance
standards and save time by making prompt yet informed decisions
that they can trust.
Kitemark® benefits for manufacturers…
The Kitemark scheme is also available to the manufacturers of
the retroreflective material used in sign making. The scheme
based on the performance requirements of the standard will help
the material manufacturers to meet the requirements for CE
marking which will be applicable to their product. Sign
manufacturers can drastically reduce the cost of Kitemark
certification by using Kitemark-certified material in their
manufacturing process.
The Kitemark scheme mirrors the requirements for CPD allowing
manufacturers to be one step ahead and achieve due diligence in
advance of the transition to CE marking.
“Manufacturers choose Kitemark because it offers them real
competitive advantage” says Steve Hamon, Head of Engineering at
BSI. “Kitemark certification has been shown time and time again
to lead to growth in revenue through customer confidence that
can win more contracts, increased profit by allowing
manufacturers to compete on quality and not price and reduced
risk through a company’s total commitment to safety.”
Interest in the scheme is already encouraging with a number of
applications in the pipeline from those who truly want to be one
step ahead. There are approximately 500 sign manufacturers in
the UK and a smaller number of micro prismatic material
manufacturers.
Email: claire.lynam@bsi-global.com