BSGA to run workshops at Sign UK focused on new legislation

The UK sign industry is facing increasing legislation governing its activities and at Sign & Digital UK, the British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) will be running two workshops to explain what the changes are and what must be done to meet the latest requirements. Failure to meet the standards could, in the future, result in criminal proceedings and custodial sentences for offenders.

The first workshop, ‘An introduction to new standards for sign design and construction’, will explain what the new European Standards (Eurocodes) demand from both sign manufacturers and sign buyers and will show how they relate to BS 559: 2009 (the UK standard for sign design). The potential impact the UK Building Regulations could have for the sign industry will also be discussed.

The second workshop will deal with the contentious issue of Planning Regulations and how planning law has a direct impact on sign maintenance.  A case study illustrating the consequences of failure to maintain a sign will be explored and the BSGA will detail a new addendum to BS 559 covering sign maintenance and warranties.

Changes to planning laws are happening on an almost daily basis and the association will also show how it is involved in a constant battle to prevent planners implementing restrictions, which would adversely affect the sign industry.

David Dyke, BSGA President said:  “While changes to legislation and planning laws are often ignored or simply condemned as interference by bureaucrats, both can have a direct impact on the success or otherwise of sign businesses.”

“Anyone who commissions, manufactures or installs a sign is bound by the rules and it is vital that everyone involved in the industry understands what is required of them. Those sign makers who use this knowledge in the appropriate way will stand above those that don’t.”

Dyke continued: “The workshops at Sign & Digital UK provide a perfect platform to talk directly to the industry and we are grateful to the event organisers for providing this opportunity.”

Rudi Blackett, event director for Sign & Digital UK, said: ‘‘We are very pleased to be working with the BSGA to help to bring these vitally important issues to the attention of the industry. These really are ‘must attend’ sessions for all sign making companies.’’

Sign & Digital UK 2014 runs from 29 April to 1 May 2014 in Hall 2 at the NEC, Birmingham. The BSGA workshops will feature each day of the show.