Chipshow’s VMS series has expanded its EN 12966 certification coverage to 20mm pixel pitch. The latest addition was certified in July 2026 by DBI Certification A/S (Notified Body No. 2531, Denmark), with testing by SGS-CSTC Guangzhou. Chipshow’s EN 12966-certified VMS series now covers 6.67mm, 10mm, 16mm and 20mm pixel pitches, giving European road projects a wider set of compliant options from a single manufacturer.
Why the extended EN 12966 coverage matters for European road projects
EN 12966 (EN 12966-1:2005+A1:2009) is the harmonised standard for variable message traffic signs under the EU Construction Products Regulation. It defines graded requirements for optical performance, environmental endurance and structural integrity, together with factory production control and ongoing assessment of constancy of performance. On many European tenders, it is evaluated before aesthetics or budget — certification confirms that a product has passed type testing, factory audit and notified body surveillance, and can be specified and procured as a compliant product.
For motorway and gantry VMS projects, the practical challenge for specifiers and integrators has been finding certified products across the pixel pitch range that a single project may need — from closer-range signs to large-format gantry displays read from a distance. The extension of Chipshow’s EN 12966-certified coverage to 20mm pixel pitch means a project that calls for multiple VMS types can now source compliant options across a wider range.
What the Latest Certification Covers
The EN 12966 assessment of the VMS series at 20mm pixel pitch covered the full performance profile:
- Optical performance: colour class C2, luminance class L3, luminance ratio class R3 and beam width class B6, together with uniformity and visible-flicker requirements. These ratings confirm that the sign remains legible in direct sunlight and low-angle light, which is essential for motorway signs where missed information is a safety risk.
- Environmental endurance: temperature classes T1, T2 and T3, covering a wider range than the T1 and T3 of the previously certified models. The additional T2 class means the VMS series at 20mm pixel pitch is qualified for a broader set of climate conditions. Further ratings include resistance to pollution class D3 and enclosure protection rated IP56 for dust and water ingress.
- Structural safety: impact resistance and vibration resistance passed, meeting passive-safety requirements for long-term roadside operation.
All classes are as declared in Annex 1 of the certificate.
How the Certification Was Earned
The EN 12966 certification followed the AVCP System 1 (Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance) regime of the EU Construction Products Regulation. Product type testing was performed by SGS-CSTC Guangzhou against EN 12966-1:2005+A1:2009, and the certificate was issued by DBI Certification A/S (Notified Body No. 2531). Related products also passed the EN 50293:2012 electromagnetic compatibility test, covering conducted and radiated emissions and immunity, with harmonic current meeting EN IEC 61000-3-2 Class A.
| Model | Pixel Pitch (mm) | LED Encapsulation | Module Resolution | Viewing Angle | Module Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMS6.67S-4535RGB | 6.67mm | SMD4535 ICE LED | 72×48 | 30° | 480×320mm |
| VMS10S-4535RGB | 10mm | SMD4535 ICE LED | 32×16 | 30° | 320×160mm |
| VMS16S-4535RGB | 16mm | SMD4535 ICE LED | 30×20 | 30° | 480×320mm |
| VMS20S-4535/CV94DRGB | 20mm | SMD4535 ICE LED | 16×8 | 30° | 320×160mm |
A Growing Certified Range
The certified VMS range now covers pixel pitches from 6.67mm to 20mm. A wider certified range means greater adaptability for road projects — from smaller-pitch signs in tunnels to large-format gantry displays on motorways, project teams can select compliant products across different use cases without switching suppliers. A single manufacturer with certified products across this range also simplifies procurement and compliance management. The C-Slim Vent P16 Traffic (VMS) is among the certified products, an EN 12966-certified P16 platform for motorway VMS and gantry installations.
| Parameters | 6.67mm | 10mm | 16mm | 20mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color Class | C2 | |||
| Luminance Class | L3 / L3(*) | |||
| Luminance Ratio (Contrast) | R3 | |||
| Beam Width Class | B6 | |||
| IP Rating | P3 (IP56) | |||
| Temperature Class | T1 / T3 | T1 / T3 | T1 / T3 | T1 / T2 / T3 |
| EMC | EN 50293 CLASS B | |||
| Certification Status | Certified / Issued | |||
What It Means for Chipshow and Its Customers
For specifiers, integrators and project owners, the wider certified range means fewer compromises when specifying VMS products for European road projects. A single certified supplier across four pixel pitches — from 6.67mm to 20mm — reduces the time and effort spent on compliance verification and gives project teams confidence that the entire scope can be met.
For Chipshow, the certification of the VMS series at 20mm pixel pitch reflects continued engineering investment in traffic display products. The growing certified range strengthens Chipshow’s position as a credible supplier for European and global traffic infrastructure projects, where compliance is evaluated before price.
Closing
From 6.67mm to 20mm, Chipshow’s EN 12966-certified VMS range keeps growing. Built for reliability, verified by an EU notified body, and ready for the road projects that ask for EN 12966.
FAQs
Q1. How Does EN 12966 Differ From CE Marking?
CE marking addresses baseline safety and EMC for the EU market, while EN 12966 is the product-specific harmonised standard for road variable message signs. Most European road projects require EN 12966 certification in addition to CE marking.
Q2. What Does EN 12966 Certification Mean for Procurement Timelines?
A product already certified to EN 12966 does not require additional compliance assessment during procurement, so tender evaluation can proceed faster compared to sourcing uncertified products that need separate verification.
Q3. Why Choose a Manufacturer With EN 12966-Certified Vms Across Multiple Pixel Pitches?
A manufacturer certified across 6.67mm to 20mm pixel pitches gives project teams flexibility — different signs within the same project can be sourced from one supplier under the same certification framework, simplifying compliance management.
Q4. Can I Request a Copy of the EN 12966 Certificate for a Tender Submission?
Yes. Certified documentation, including the Certificate of Constancy of Performance, is available on request for European road project tenders. Chipshow also keeps local support and warehousing in the Netherlands to assist with documentation and logistics.
Q5. How Long Does an EN 12966 Certificate Remain Valid?
The certificate remains valid under ongoing surveillance by the notified body as long as the product design, manufacturing conditions and the harmonised standard are not significantly modified.
