UL, CE, TÜV SÜD, RoHS: What the Certification Marks on Illuminated Signs Mean

An illuminated sign hangs on your building for years, often runs for many hours a day and is connected to the electrical system. That's why certification marks are worth a look. They tell you whether the electrics have been tested and whether the materials meet the rules. Here's what's behind the four most important marks, and which ones our signs carry.

The four marks at a glance

MarkWhat it meansWho issues it
ULTested to US safety standards; for illuminated signs, to UL 48.UL, an independent US testing organization
CEThe product meets the applicable EU rules, for signs mainly on electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility.The manufacturer declares conformity in an EU Declaration of Conformity.
TÜV SÜDAn independent body has tested safety and substances.TÜV SÜD as an external testing and certification body
RoHSCertain hazardous substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium are only present within very tight limits.EU directive; compliance is shown by a test report.

UL 48: the one that matters most in the US

UL is a US testing organization whose standards are the benchmark for electrical safety in the USA and Canada. Illuminated signs have their own standard, UL 48 for electric signs, which covers overload protection, heat and moisture resistance among other things. For permanently installed signs it's often essential: the National Electrical Code generally requires electric signs to be listed, and inspectors look for it when they sign off an installation. Check your local requirements with your electrician or permit office.

CE: an EU requirement, not a quality seal

The CE mark is required for electrical products sold in the EU. In most cases the manufacturer declares for itself that the product meets the rules; no independent body has to test it, as the EU explains on its Your Europe portal. So CE is a minimum requirement for Europe and says little about quality beyond that.

TÜV SÜD: independently tested

TÜV SÜD is an independent testing and certification body headquartered in Munich, Germany. Unlike CE, a third party has actually done the testing. On illuminated signs, that covers the LED fixtures themselves and, through a test report, whether heavy metals, brominated flame retardants and plasticizers (phthalates) stay within the RoHS limits.

RoHS: fewer hazardous substances

The RoHS rules (EU Directive 2011/65/EU) restrict certain hazardous substances in electronics, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, certain flame retardants and plasticizers. For you, that means the sign in your store, office or home only contains these substances in tightly limited amounts, and it can be disposed of more responsibly later.

Which marks do our signs carry?

The production of our illuminated signs is certified, with the underlying testing carried out by independent, accredited bodies:

  • UL to UL 48 for channel letters, light boxes and LED neon signs.
  • CE with an EU Declaration of Conformity for channel letters, light boxes and LED neon signs.
  • TÜV SÜD: engineering evaluation of the LED fixtures and a test report on RoHS substances.
  • RoHS-compliant: heavy metals, brominated flame retardants and phthalates tested and passed.

On top of that come mounting and electrical components from 3M. Non-illuminated signs such as flat cut letters, stainless steel letters or moss signs have no electrics, so they don't need electrical certification.

What our signs are made from

  • LED neon flex: flexible LED strips that light up instantly and evenly, with no glass and no gas. More on our LED neon signs page.
  • Acrylic: precision contour-cut, as the backing for LED neon, as the face of channel letters and light boxes, or solid as a letter. UV-stable for outdoor use.
  • Aluminum: for the returns and backs of channel letters and the cabinets of light boxes, painted or powder-coated.
  • Stainless steel: brushed or polished for metal letters, rust-free and long-lasting.
  • LED modules and power supplies: for even light with no hotspots; LED neon is rated for around 50,000 hours.

Tested before it ships

Every illuminated sign runs for 24 hours straight in a burn-in test before it ships. Most faults, such as a weak LED or a loose contact, show up in that time and are fixed before the sign reaches you.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask which marks the sign carries and which products they apply to.
  • For hardwired exterior signs, ask your electrician which listing your city expects.
  • Pay particular attention to the power supply: it works at line voltage and is the most safety-critical part.
  • Hardwired signs are always connected by a licensed electrician. Our installation guide explains how it works.

Sources

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