AS 1906.1: The Reflective Sheeting Classification Change Your Procurement Spec

Key Takeaways

• The old Class 1, Class 1W, and Class 2 designations have been replaced by a numeric class system. AS 1906.1 includes Class 100, Class 300, Class 400, Class 900, and Class 1100. In practical procurement, Class 100, Class 400, Class 900, and Class 1100 are commonly referenced, but Class 300 should not be ignored where a road authority or project specification names it.
• Class 100, Class 400, and higher classes are now the correct procurement language for most road signs and infrastructure applications. Vehicle conspicuity tape should be treated separately and should not be specified using AS 1906.1 class language unless the relevant authority document expressly requires it. 
• Class 1W (wide-angle retroreflection) no longer appears as a standalone class. Wide-angle performance requirements are now embedded within specific class specifications.
• Existing compliant signs and markings are not automatically non-compliant, but they should be audited against current class requirements when they come up for replacement or when road authority specifications are updated.
• Procurement specs should be rewritten in current AS 1906.1 language. Name the class, cite the standard version, and ask for third-party test documentation for the exact sheeting supplied.
• Vehicle conspicuity tape, including truck rear markings and side markings, should be treated separately from AS 1906.1 road sign sheeting. Confirm the applicable vehicle marking rules, transport authority guidance, and project requirements before specifying the material. 

If your tender still says “Class 1 reflective sheeting” or “Class 1W tape,” stop before you issue it.

That wording may not mean what you think it means. Depending on the road authority reviewing the submission, it may not mean anything useful at all.

AS 1906.1 is the Australian Standard for retroreflective materials and devices used for road traffic control. It covers retroreflective sheeting for road signs, temporary traffic management devices, road infrastructure, and related applications.

The classification language has changed. Older terms such as Class 1, Class 1W, and Class 2 have been replaced by a numeric class system. If your specification has not been updated, you may be naming a class that no longer exists in the current standard your suppliers are working to.

This article explains what changed, why it matters, and how to fix your procurement language before it causes problems.

What Did the Old Class 1, Class 1W, and Class 2 Systems Mean?

Older Australian reflective sheeting specs used descriptive class names. They were easy to understand but easy to misread.

Class 1: Engineer grade

Class 1 referred to enclosed lens sheeting, commonly called “engineer grade.”

It was the baseline option, used for the following:

• low-speed roads
• car parks
• lower-risk signs
• locations where basic retroreflective brightness was enough

Class 1W: Wide-angle Performance

Class 1W meant Class 1 sheeting with improved wide-angle retroreflection.

The “W” mattered where drivers approached signs from an angle, including the following:

• curves
• horizontal crests
• roundabout approaches

Class 2: High-intensity Prismatic

Class 2 referred to high-intensity prismatic sheeting.

It performed well above Class 1 and was commonly specified for:

• higher-speed roads
• state highways
• signs that needed stronger visibility from a distance

Higher-performance Products

Above Class 2, higher-performance products were available, including

• diamond grade
• super high-intensity
• flexible prismatic materials

However, older Australian specs did not always classify these products cleanly. Different road authorities often handled the upper tiers differently.

The Problem With the Old System

The weakness was inconsistency.

One manufacturer’s Class 1 did not always perform like another’s. Class 1W performance was not always traceable through the supply chain. As sheeting technology improved, the old labels stopped reflecting real product performance clearly.

What Changed in the Revised Classification System, and Why?

AS 1906.1 moved from descriptive class names to a numeric system tied more directly to measured retroreflective performance.

The current classification system includes:

• Class 100
• Class 300
• Class 400
• Class 900
• Class 1100

In general, higher numbers mean higher retroreflective performance. The difference between Class 100 and Class 400 is not cosmetic. It reflects a real jump in the coefficient of retroreflection, or RA, which measures how much light a sign returns toward a driver’s eyes at a given distance and angle.

For practical procurement, most road sign and infrastructure specs commonly reference Class 100, Class 400, Class 900, and Class 1100. However, Class 300 is also part of AS 1906.1 and should be specified where a road authority, project brief, or product requirement calls for it.

Class 100: Lower-performance Applications

Class 100 is often treated as the closest practical procurement successor to older engineer-grade or Class 1 sheeting.

It should not be treated as an automatic one-for-one conversion.

It covers an enclosed lens and some microprismatic materials that meet the lower performance threshold. It remains suitable for:

• low-speed roads
• car parks
• temporary delineation
• well-lit sign environments
• applications where vehicle speeds are low

Class 300: Intermediate Performance

Class 300 sits between Class 100 and Class 400.

It may appear in road authority or project specifications where an intermediate retroreflective performance level is required.

If a specification names Class 300, suppliers should provide documentation for that exact class. Do not substitute another class without written approval.

Class 400: Higher-speed Road Environments

Class 400 is often treated as the closest practical procurement successor to older high-intensity or Class 2 sheeting in many road sign specifications.

Again, it is not a universal conversion.

It substantially outperforms Class 100 at standard observation angles and is commonly specified for the following:

• main roads
• highways
• higher-speed sign environments
• locations where stronger visibility is required

The correct class should always be checked against the relevant road authority requirement.

Class 900 and Class 1100: Higher-performance Prismatic Materials

Class 900 and Class 1100 cover higher-performance prismatic materials.

They may be used for:

• overhead gantry signs
• freeway signs
• high-risk locations
• applications requiring maximum retroreflective performance

Not every road authority specification requires these classes, so always confirm the required class against the current project specification.

What Happened to Class 1W?

Wide-angle performance is no longer a separate class designation.

The wide-angle requirements once associated with Class 1W are now built into the geometry requirements of each applicable class. A sheeting product either meets the wide-angle requirements of its class or it does not.

That removes the ambiguity of the old “W” label, but it also means buyers cannot simply add “W” to a specification and expect it to translate.

What Are the Performance Thresholds for Each Class?

AS 1906.1 sets minimum retroreflective performance using the coefficient of retroreflection, or RA, measured in cd·lx⁻¹·m⁻².

The standard tests sheeting across different

• entrance angles, or how light hits the sign
• observation angles, or where the driver’s eye receives the reflected light

Each class must meet minimum RA values across the full test matrix.

For procurement, avoid copying threshold tables into your spec unless you are working from the current AS 1906.1 and can confirm the correct version.

The better question is

Can the supplier provide an independent test report showing this exact material meets the retroreflective and colour requirements of the specified AS 1906.1 class?

A compliant supplier should have that documentation. If they cannot provide it, do not accept the material.

How to Read the New Classification on A Product Spec Sheet

A compliant retroreflective sheeting spec sheet should be clear, current, and specific. Do not rely on product names alone.

Look for the following:

Standard and Version

The spec sheet should state AS 1906.1 and the applicable year. Check that it references the current standard, not an outdated version.

Class Designation

The sheet should name the correct numeric class, such as

• Class 100
• Class 300
• Class 400
• Class 900
• Class 1100

Terms like “Class 1,” “Class 2,” “engineer grade,” “high intensity,” or “diamond grade” are not enough on their own. They may describe the product type, but they are not a current AS 1906.1 class reference.

Ask the supplier to confirm the exact AS 1906.1 class.

Colour Compliance

Retroreflective sheeting must meet colour requirements as well as retroreflective intensity requirements. White, yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and fluorescent colours each have defined chromaticity and luminance requirements.

The spec sheet should identify the colour tested, not just the product range.

Daytime and Nighttime Performance

Some materials need to perform in both daytime and nighttime conditions, especially fluorescent sheeting used in temporary traffic management.

Where relevant, confirm the sheeting meets both:

• photometric requirements
• daytime colour requirements

Application Suitability

Different applications need different substrates, adhesives, and durability characteristics.

Check whether the product is suitable for:

• aluminium sign blanks
• flexible sign faces
• delineators
• traffic drums
• vehicle marking film
• temporary pavement marking tape

The spec sheet should clearly state the intended substrate and application.

Test Documentation

Ask for third-party test documentation for the exact product, colour, and class supplied. A generic brand certificate is not enough. Product formulations, colours, and manufacturing runs can vary.

For NSW projects, check the current Transport for NSW-approved retro-reflective sheeting materials list before accepting a product, colour, or sheeting system. 

The test report should match what is being supplied, not just the product family.

What This Means for Existing Signs, Markings, and Vehicle Tape

The classification change does not automatically make existing compliant signs non-compliant.

A sign installed to Class 2 requirements was compliant when it was supplied and installed under the rules in force at the time. It does not need to be replaced simply because the class language has changed.

The issue starts when signs are replaced, rehabilitated, or re-specified. At that point, procurement documents should use current AS 1906.1 class designations. Ordering replacement material as “Class 2” creates ambiguity. Suppliers may understand the intent, but the wording no longer gives you a clean current-standard reference.

For audits and compliance checks:

• Review specs that still reference old class language.
• Update replacement orders to current AS 1906.1 classes.
• Check existing signs for UV damage, moisture ingress, fading, dirt, and physical wear.
• Do not assume a sign still performs to its original class after years in the field.
• For vehicle markings, confirm the sheeting type and performance requirements against current transport regulations, NHVR guidance, and the relevant project specification.

Vehicle Conspicuity Tape: A Separate Standard

Truck rear markings, side conspicuity tape, and cab marking tape should not be specified under AS 1906.1 by default.

AS 1906.1 applies to retroreflective sheeting for road traffic control materials, such as signs and related road infrastructure. Heavy vehicle conspicuity markings follow a separate regulatory pathway, including applicable vehicle standards, transport authority guidance, and project-specific requirements.

That distinction matters.

For heavy vehicle applications, refer to NHVR Vehicle Standards Guide 11: Fitting of Additional Reflectors and Conspicuity Markings when checking vehicle visibility, reflectors, and conspicuity marking requirements.

If your procurement document covers both road sign sheeting and vehicle markings, split them into separate line items. Road sign sheeting and vehicle conspicuity tape are not the same product. They use different performance requirements, installation methods, and compliance pathways, which is why reflective tape classifications are often misunderstood during procurement.

RF supplies compliant reflective products for both road infrastructure and vehicle marking applications. The distinction matters because the wrong standard reference can create confusion at the tender review, supply, installation, and audit stages. 

Temporary Traffic Management: A Specific Case

Temporary signs used for roadworks, events, lane closures, and detours often need more than a base AS 1906.1 class.

Most state road authority specifications require temporary signs to use retroreflective sheeting that meets a minimum AS 1906.1 class. They may also require:

• fluorescent colours for advanced warning signs and speed advisory boards
• flexible sheeting for lightweight portable sign substrates
• durability and adhesion requirements for temporary pavement delineation
• retroreflective performance maintained in wet conditions

A Class 100 or Class 400 reference on its own may not be enough for a temporary traffic management tender.

Confirm the applicable road authority specification, such as TMR in Queensland, VicRoads in Victoria, or TfNSW in New South Wales, and make sure the selected sheeting matches the device type, sign class, and road environment.

How to Update Procurement Specs that Still Reference Old Classes

The wording changes are simple. The risk lies in leaving old class language unchecked.

Use these examples as a cleaner starting point.

1. Warning Signs

Old wording: Supply Class 1 retroreflective sheeting to all warning signs.

Better wording: Supply retroreflective sheeting certified to AS 1906.1 Class 100 for warning signs. The supplier must provide current test documentation for the exact material and colour supplied.

2. Curve and Roundabout Approach Signs

Old wording: Use Class 1W sheeting on all curve warning and roundabout approach signs.

Better wording: Supply retroreflective sheeting certified to AS 1906.1 Class 100, Class 300, or Class 400, as specified in the sign register. The material must meet the wide-angle requirements of the applicable class. Confirm class selection against the relevant road authority specification for the road type and speed environment.

3. Highway and Main Road Signs

Old wording: All highway and main road signs to use Class 2 sheeting.

Better wording: Supply retroreflective sheeting certified to AS 1906.1 Class 400, or the higher class required by the relevant road authority, for main road and highway sign applications. The supplier must provide third-party test documentation confirming colour and retroreflective compliance for the exact sheeting supplied.

4. Heavy Vehicle Rear and Side Markings

Old wording: Truck rear markings to comply with reflective tape standards.

Better wording: Heavy vehicle rear and side conspicuity markings must comply with the applicable vehicle marking rules, transport authority guidance, and project specification. The supplier must confirm the required material, colour, layout, and test documentation.

5. Temporary Traffic Management Signs

Old wording: Temporary signs must use approved reflective sheeting.

Better wording: Temporary traffic management signs must use retroreflective sheeting that meets the applicable state road authority specification for the device type. This includes class, colour, flexibility, fluorescent sheeting requirements, and any wet-condition performance requirements under the relevant traffic guidance scheme.

Why Supplier Traceability Matters Here

Retroreflective sheeting is not a generic commodity. Not every roll performs the same.

Manufacturing batches, application conditions, substrate preparation, and storage can all affect field performance and service life. If an auditor or road authority questions a sign after installation, especially after an incident, “the supplier said it met spec” is not enough.

At RF, every order is tracked by batch number, linking the supplied sheeting back to the raw material source and relevant test documentation. Physical samples are also retained from tape batches, so the supply chain remains traceable if questions arise later.

That is not a premium add-on. It is what a professional supply of compliant road materials should look like.

Practical Checklist for Specifying Retroreflective Road Materials

Before issuing a sign specification, traffic management tender, or vehicle marking order, check the essentials.

Road Sign Sheeting

• Does the specification reference the current version of AS 1906.1?
• Does it use the correct numeric class: Class 100, Class 300, Class 400, Class 900, or Class 1100?
• Has the class been selected for the road type, speed environment, and relevant road authority requirements?
• Does the supplier provide third-party test documentation for the exact product, colour, and class supplied?

Temporary Traffic Management

• Does the spec include fluorescent colour requirements where needed?
• Does it confirm flexibility requirements for portable signs, drums, delineators, or temporary devices?
• Is wet-condition performance required for temporary delineation or high-rainfall environments?

Vehicle Markings

• Are vehicle markings treated separately from road sign sheeting?
• Does the spec reference the applicable vehicle marking rules, transport authority guidance, and project requirements?
• Has the supplier confirmed the required material, colour, layout, and test documentation?

Application and Maintenance

• Is the substrate confirmed, such as an aluminium blank, flexible substrate, drum, or delineator?
• Is there an inspection and replacement schedule tied to service life, damage, fading, and retroreflective performance?

If your current specification cannot answer these questions clearly, update it before the next tender.

Need Compliant Road Reflective Sheeting or Vehicle Conspicuity Tape?

Old-class language can create confusion during the tender review, supply, installation, and audit stages. The safer move is to specify products that match the correct standard from the start.

At Reflective Fabrications, our products are manufactured and supplied to meet the applicable performance requirements for their intended use, whether that is retroreflective sheeting for road signs, road reflective tape, temporary traffic management materials, vehicle conspicuity markings, or custom reflective signage.

From our Clayton South facility in Melbourne, RFA has manufactured in Australia since 1988 and supplied road and infrastructure clients across Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.

If your tender still references Class 1, Class 1W, or Class 2, now is the time to update it.

Send your specification to the RF team. We will help confirm the correct standards pathway, match the product to the application, and provide documentation demonstrating that the material is fit for purpose and aligned with the relevant standard.