Government proposes approval of amendments to Convention on Road Signs and Signals

Government proposes approval of amendments to Convention on Road Signs and Signals

On 5 March 2026, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal on approving the amendments made to the international Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The amendments would have only minor effects in Finland.

The proposal asks Parliament to approve the amendments made to the international Convention on Road Signs and Signals, the European Agreement supplementing it and the related protocol on road markings. The proposal also includes legislative proposals that bring into force the provisions of a legislative nature that are within the scope of the amendments.

Traffic control devices currently in use in Finland already correspond for the most part to the amendments set out in the Convention. There are some minor amendments required in the Road Traffic Act as a result of bringing the Convention into force. Changes are proposed to the appearance of sign A27 and to the definitions of signs B6 and F3. In addition, an amendment is proposed to the transitional provisions of the Road Traffic Act to allow the replacement of signs to be phased in until 2039. This phasing should ensure that the replacement of signs does not cause significant additional costs for road authorities.

The Government also proposes that Finland enter reservations to certain individual provisions of the Convention. Some of Finland's existing reservations would be withdrawn, as they are no longer needed, for example due to the comprehensive reform of the Road Traffic Act in 2020.

Convention aims to improve traffic safety

The Convention on Road Signs and Signals is intended to facilitate road traffic and boost traffic safety with internationally unified road signs and symbols and road markings. The Convention has been signed by 35 states and ratified by 75 states. The United National Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) maintains the Convention.

Unified international rules aim to reduce traffic accidents on the roads of the contracting states. Road traffic automation also requires unification of international traffic control devices.

The amendments to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals are mainly technical and relate to the appearance of traffic signs or to improving the readability of the Convention. The purpose of the amendments is to reduce ambiguity and provide for further unification of road signs and signals. The amendments also aim to update the design of traffic control devices to make them as clear, unified and easily understood as possible in international traffic.

What's next?

Parliament will first hold a referral debate on the government proposal in a plenary session. The proposal will then proceed to a committee reading. Following the committee report, the debate will continue in a plenary session.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations circulated the proposed amendments to the contracting states in spring 2025. Finland must notify the Secretary-General of its approval of the amendments and of any reservations no later than 12 May 2026.

Inquiries:

Juuso Suomento, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 071, [email protected]

Sofia Johansson, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 090, [email protected]