Linda Edwards, Managing Director, shares her reflections:
As members of the European Sign Federation (ESF), the British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) continues to monitor developments within the federation and the broader European signage landscape. Although we did not attend the ESF Spring Conference in Leuven, Belgium (23rd –24th April 2026), the outcomes of the meeting provide clear insight into the direction the European regulatory and technical agenda is now taking.
One of the most significant developments is the Sign Manual, initiated by Thomas Berens, Technical Director. This is a necessary and timely response to an increasingly complex regulatory environment. In my view, its success will depend on one thing: whether it genuinely simplifies regulation into clear, usable guidance for businesses on the ground. Without that clarity, its impact will be limited.
Light emissions from advertising installations remain one of the most pressing issues across Europe. Despite continued progress, implementation is still inconsistent in practice -particularly where technical capability and regulatory expectation diverge. This is not a theoretical challenge; it is a practical one, and the industry is still some way from achieving consistency in how it is addressed.
The revision of EN 50107-3 is a critical step forward and is now rightly gaining momentum under the working group led by Fausto Martin, Industrial Adviser. However, the priority now is not momentum, but delivery – specifically securing the necessary national support within CENELEC to establish the Technical Committee and progress the revised standard. This work underpins the legal and technical certainty the industry needs around illuminated signage.
The broader economic climate remains uncertain, and this is being felt directly across the wider sector. Fluctuating material costs across key signage substrates and consumables continue to create volatility in supply chains. At the same time, we are seeing clear caution in customer decision making, which is slowing activity in several markets.
From a BSGA perspective, ESF outputs remain a practical reference point. Our priority is to ensure that engagement translates into practical, tangible value for UK members operating in an increasingly dynamic regulatory and commercial environment.
The Leuven discussions highlight an important shift: the biggest challenges facing the signage industry are no longer confined to individual countries. They now require more coordinated working across Europe and clear responsibility in how standards are developed and applied. This is key to avoiding growing differences between markets.
The BSGA continues to engage with this evolving European conversation where it is relevant to UK industry priorities.
Click to read the full report and explore the detail behind these discussions: https://bit.ly/4d4br5o