The scope of EN12767 states: 'This European Standard specifies performance requirements and defines levels in passive safety terms intended to reduce the severity of injury to the occupants of vehicles impacting with the permanent road equipment support structures. Consideration is also given to other traffic and pedestrians. Three energy absorption types are considered and test methods for determining the level of performance under various conditions of impact are given'.

In order to achieve safer roads in accordance with best codes of practice and EN12767, designers need to consider the number, type and location of street furniture and roadside structures. Traditional steel posts (over Ø89mm with a wall thickness of 3.2mm or more) are not regarded passively safe and should be enclosed by crash barriers for road user protection. The alternative option is the replacement of these structures with a more forgiving infrastructure consisting of passively safe tested and classified posts (which has the extra benefit of not requiring the additonal expenisve crash barriers). Road designers however must not not only consider the energy classification (HE / LE / NE) of passive safe columns but also factor in electrical safety (isolation in the event of damage or knockdown of a post) and overall ease and speed of repair which includes making the area safe and ready for the reinstallation of a new post.