Traffic Open Products and Specifications Ltd (TOPAS), the independent body responsible for maintaining specifications and registering traffic control equipment in the UK, is to close after its Management Board concluded that its existing funding arrangements are no longer sustainable.
A special resolution to close the not-for-profit organisation was tabled at its AGM on 20 August, although TOPAS expects to continue operating until the second quarter of 2028 to allow existing product developments and registration applications to be completed. No new applications for registration or re-registration will be accepted after 20 May 2027.
In a statement, reproduced in full below, TOPAS stresses the importance of finding a way to preserve the standards it has developed and maintained, saying: “TOPAS continues to work with the DfT who have undertaken to explore options for the continuance of standards including those currently under development and review, and compliance with them.” It adds that it remains hopeful the standards will continue to be freely available to the sector.
Signals suppliers SWARCO, Yunex Traffic and Telent joined together on a Highways Voices podcast in February to discuss the importance of standards, views echoed by TRL’s Chief Technologist who called for the organisation to receive funding from the DfT.
The full statement is here:
Traffic Open Products and Specifications Ltd. (TOPAS) is the company that was setup as an independent, not-for-profit business following the removal of DfT Type Approval to ensure continuity of equipment performance through the maintenance and development of specifications and product registrations.
TOPAS is overseen by a Management Board equally comprised of Government Transport Departments (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), Strategic and Local Road Authorities, and industry through their trade body. Its funding model was intended to be through product registration fees.
Unfortunately, this financial model has not consistently generated sufficient income to support its operations and TOPAS has had to seek supplementary funding from the organisations of the Management Board. Such injections of funding were never intended to be long term and it has been confirmed that these are no longer sustainable.
Alternative funding models for the company have been thoroughly assessed but no viable solution has been identified that would retain the clear independence that is fundamental to the sector’s acceptance of TOPAS.
The long-term resilience of the business can therefore no longer be guaranteed. As a result a special resolution was tabled at the AGM on 20th August to close the business.
The closure will occur in such a way as to allow those with live product developments and applications for registration to complete the process. Therefore, please be advised that no applications for registrations/re-registrations (including fee) will be accepted by TOPAS after 20th May 2027. Applicants should ensure their paperwork is completed satisfactorily before submission as there will be no opportunity to resolve any questions after the application closing date and therefore registrations may not reach completion.
It is anticipated that the business will likely close in Q2 of 2028.
Recognising the importance of the standards for both current and future well-being of the UK’s traffic control sector, TOPAS continues to work with the DfT who have undertaken to explore options for the continuance of standards including those currently under development and review, and compliance with them. TOPAS remains hopeful that the standards will continue to be freely available to ensure minimal barrier to their take up.
The Directors and Management Board regret the necessity of this decision.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who support the values and objectives of TOPAS. In particular, we both recognise and appreciate the significant efforts of the Management Board in terms of funding, time and commitment, and of those across our community who have willingly given their time and expertise to support the principle that TOPAS’ open standards and rigorous assessment form the bedrock upon which robust products can be developed, maintained and built.
TOPAS will continue to publish updates as the situation progresses and will be in attendance at Highways UK with a network session at 12.30 on day two and our stand B4.
For further information relating to continuing registration processes please visit the TOPAS website www.topasgroup.org.uk
Signed: Directors & Management Board
(Picture – TOPAS)
