EN ISO 20471 (Europe and UK)
EN ISO 20471 sets the requirements for high-visibility clothing for professional use. Garments are rated Class 1, 2 or 3 according to the minimum visible area of two materials: fluorescent background material, which is visible in daylight, and retroreflective tape, which shines back in headlights.
| Class | Background material | Retroreflective material |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | 0.80 m² | 0.20 m² |
| Class 2 | 0.50 m² | 0.13 m² |
| Class 1 | 0.14 m² | 0.10 m² |
Permitted background colours are fluorescent yellow, fluorescent orange-red and fluorescent red. Class 3 is typically required on roads and other high-risk sites; check what the site or contract demands. Each garment size must meet the minimum areas for the class it is labelled with.
ANSI/ISEA 107 (North America)
In the US, ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 classifies hi-vis apparel by Type (where it is worn) and Class (how much material it has):
- Type O (off-road): Class 1 only, for workers not exposed to road traffic.
- Type R (roadway): Class 2 or 3, for workers exposed to traffic.
- Type P (public safety): Class 2 or 3, for emergency and law-enforcement workers.
| Class | Background material | Retroreflective material |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | 1,240 in² | 310 in² |
| Class 2 | 775 in² | 201 in² |
| Class 1 | 217 in² | 155 in² |
Class E covers hi-vis trousers and shorts; worn with a Class 2 top, the ensemble counts as Class 3.
Other standards that often apply
- EN 343: protection against rain, common for hi-vis jackets.
- EN ISO 11612 and NFPA 2112: clothing to protect against heat and flame.
- EN 1149-5: electrostatic properties, for example in fuel and gas environments.
- IEC 61482-2: protection against electric arc.
- EN ISO 13688: general requirements for protective clothing.
What to write into a hi-vis specification
- The standard and class (for example EN ISO 20471 Class 3, or ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 2).
- Background fabric: fibre, weight, colour and any coating or waterproofing.
- Retroreflective tape: type, width, layout and the number of washes it must withstand.
- Garment details: closures, pockets, ID or tablet pockets, hood, lining.
- Sizes and size ratio per carton, and any logo print with its position. Print must not reduce the visible area below the class minimum.
- Labelling and the care instructions required by the standard.
We do not claim that any garment meets a standard. We request test documentation covering the specific fabric, tape and finished garment, and share it with you.
Questions buyers ask
What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?
Class 3 has more fluorescent and reflective material, so it is visible from further away and from more angles. Under EN ISO 20471, Class 3 needs at least 0.80 m² of background and 0.20 m² of retroreflective material; Class 2 needs 0.50 m² and 0.13 m².
Can I add my company logo to a hi-vis vest?
Usually, yes, as long as the logo does not reduce the visible background or reflective area below the class minimum. The logo size and position should be agreed in the specification.
Is EN ISO 20471 the same as ANSI/ISEA 107?
No. They are separate standards with different classes and measurements. Specify the standard used in the market where the garment will be worn.