Linda Edwards, Managing Director, reflects on BSGA’s involvement with the European Sign Federation (ESF) and the wider European signage sector.
The BSGA is a full member of the ESF, a network of national sign industry associations from across Europe, with links to international partners. Membership gives the BSGA the opportunity to participate in discussions at European level on the technical, regulatory and commercial issues affecting the wider signage industry.
The ESF is not a European regulator, and its role is not to determine what the United Kingdom (UK) signage industry should do. Rather, it provides a forum for national associations to share information and experience, identify common challenges and consider how they are being addressed across different markets. Where there is a clear benefit, associations can work collectively on issues affecting the wider signage industry.
Whilst regulatory and standards requirements can differ between the UK and other European markets, the distinction between national and European developments is not always as clear cut as it might first appear. Many of the technical issues facing the industry are common across countries, and European standards and regulatory discussions can therefore have implications for manufacturers, suppliers and signmakers operating within the UK.
Technical standards are an important part of the work undertaken through ESF. The revision of EN 50107-3, concerning luminous signs, is currently being progressed through European collaboration, with the aim of establishing the necessary CENELEC Technical Committee and progressing the revision. This is a technically significant piece of work for the illuminated sign industry and one that the BSGA will continue to monitor.
The development of the ESF Sign Manual is another area of interest. The intention is to bring together relevant regulatory and technical requirements affecting signage and present them in a way that is accessible and useful to people working within the industry, whilst recognising that specific requirements may differ between countries. The BSGA has recently contributed to the review of sections of the Manual, bringing a UK perspective to the technical content and highlighting areas where national requirements need to be clearly distinguished from wider European guidance.
This reflects the BSGA’s approach to promoting best practice, supporting compliance and encouraging good governance. Technical requirements need to be understood in practical terms if they are to be applied effectively by businesses.
This complements the work we are already undertaking within the UK. Where developments are relevant to our members, we can share that knowledge through our communications and technical activity.
We will continue to engage with ESF where there is a clear relevance to UK industry priorities and where BSGA can contribute to the discussion.
To find out more about the ESF, please visit European Sign Federation
For further information about the BSGA, please visit BSGA or contact the BSGA team at ask@uksigns.org
