The backs of, and backing boards for, upright signs
9.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies to—
(a)the back of an upright sign;
(b)the back of any backing board; and
(c)any other fitting provided for the assembly of a sign (including any container enclosing apparatus for the illumination of a sign).
(2) The back or other fitting must be grey, black or in a non-reflective metallic finish.
(3) Paragraphs (4) and (5) are exceptions to paragraph (2).
(4) Information about sites for placing, and the ownership of, the sign, and an identification code for maintenance purposes, may be indicated on the back of the sign in characters not exceeding—
(a)25 mm in height, where they are shown in a contrasting colour; or
(b)50 mm in height, where they are embossed in the same colour.
(5) Information about the manufacture of the sign required in order to comply with—
(a)British Standard BS EN 12899-1:2007(1); or
(b)a corresponding EEA Standard,
occupying an area not exceeding 30 square centimetres, may be indicated on the back of the sign in characters not exceeding 5 mm in height.
(6) The front of any backing board for an upright sign must be coloured either grey or yellow.
(7) If the front of the backing board is coloured yellow it may be—
(a)reflectorised;
(b)fluorescent; or
(c)both reflectorised and fluorescent.
(8) Where the front of the backing board is coloured yellow, the board must be rectangular in shape.
(9) This general direction does not apply to the extent provision is made elsewhere in these General Directions about the backs of, and backing boards for, particular upright signs.
Publication date 30th April 2008, (ISBN 9780580813474): corrigenda May 2008, June 2009, October 2011 and May 2013.