International Standards

EN ISO 20471:2013

The International Organization for Standardization released on 28th June 2013 the new EN ISO 20471:2013 standard for the test methods and requirements of high visibility clothing. All EEC Type Examination Certificates based on EN 471 for high visibility clothing became invalid on 1st October 2013 regardless of any other mentioned validity date. Requirements are included for color, retro reflection and Physiological performance as well as for the minimum areas of visible material in high visibility clothing.

EN 20471 imposes requirements on visible workwear for employees in high-risk areas. The employees will be visible and safe at night, during the day, and from all angles. There are three classes which are related to risk assessment and are defined by the minimum areas of background fluorescent and retro-reflective material.

CLASS 1 performance provides less visibility than Class 2 or 3, but can be a good alternative for low risk duties and environments. It requires a minimum of 0.14m² of background material and 0.10m² of retro reflective material.

CLASS 2 performance is of intermediate level, requires a minimum of 0.50m² of background material and 0.13m² of retro reflective material.

CLASS 3 performance provide the highest level of conspicuity. A Class 3 garment is required to cover the torso and have sleeves with reflective bands or/and trouser legs with reflective bands. It requires a minimum of 0.80m² of background material and 0.20m² of retro material.

To get more detailed information on requirements of EN ISO 20471, please contact our service staff or send us emails.

ANSI/ISEA 107-2020

ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 is the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear. This standard provides an authoritative guide for the design, color, photometric and physical performance, use and test methods of high-visibility safety apparel including safety vests, hi vis jackets, bib coveralls, pants and harnesses. Based on different work environment, the standard classified the performance into three classes.

ANSI 107-2020 standard includes a “Type” structure that keeps off-road (“Type O”), roadway (“Type R”), and public safety (“Type P”) garments separate by application and work environment. The types are further broken down into classes 1, 2 or 3. Three classes help the user to choose the proper garments based on expected work environment risks.

TYPE O, CLASS 1 garments provides the minimum visibility to differentiate the wear from non-complex work environments where struck-by hazards will not be approaching at roadway speeds. It requires a minimum of 217 in² of background material and 155 in² of retro reflective or combined performance material.

TYPE R (Roadway use) garments are for occupational workers who are exposed to roadway traffic and who work in an environment with moving equipment/vehicles.

TYPE R, CLASS 2 garment is of intermediate level, for workers who will be exposed to traffic with speeds in excess of 25 mph. It requires a minimum of 775 in²(smallest size 540 in²) of background material and 201 in² of retro reflective or combined performance material.

TYPE R, CLASS 3 garments provide the highest level of safety, for workers who will be exposed to high speed traffic or reduced sight distances. It requires a minimum of 1240 in²(smallest size 1000 in²) of background material and 310 in² of retro reflective or combined performance material.

TYPE P CLASS 2 garments provides additional options for emergency responders, incident responders and law enforcement in temporary traffic control (TTC) zones. It requires a minimum of 450 in² of background material and 201 in² of retro reflective or combined performance material.

CLASS E as a supplement type of ANSI 107, can be applied to rain pants, bib pants, shorts etc. It can Combine with a Class 2 vest for an ANSI Class 3 ensemble; or a Class 3 vest to attain a higher level visibility. It requires a minimum of 465 in² of background material and 109 in² of retro reflective or combined performance material.

To get more detailed information on guidance provided by ANSI/ISEA 107-2010, please contact our service staff or send us emails.

AS/NZS 1906.4-2010

AS/NZS 1906.4:2010 is the joint Australian/New Zealand Standard for retro reflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes. It specifies the photometric, colorimetric and physical property requirements for high-visibility materials to be used in high visibility safety clothing, rather than the clothing themselves. The design requirements for high-visibility clothing are specified in AS/NZS 4602.1. For more detailed information, you’re welcomed to consult our service staff online or by email.

AS/NZS 4602.1:2011

AS/NZS 4602.1 specifies the visual requirements for high visibility garments to ensure appropriate visibility for workers who may be exposed to traffic hazard in high risk situations. It also refers to another standard AS/NZS 1906.4:2010 for the reflective material that are used in the garments. There are three classes relating to the application of the garments. Class D for daytime use only, Class N for nighttime use only, and Class D/N for day and/or night time use.

CLASS D garments made from fluorescent or other high visibility background materials without retro-reflective tape, are designed for daytime use only. The minimum area of high visibility background material shall be no less than 0.2 m² both front and back.

CLASS N garments are intended to provide the wearer with high visibility at night when illuminated by light, such as car headlight. It is manufactured with retro-reflective strips on a background fabric and are designed to make the wearer visible from all angles.

CLASS D/N garments combine fluorescent or other high visibility background materials with retro reflective tape, making them suitable for day and night use, or for workplace with low light conditions. Retro-reflective tape shall comply to AS/NZS 1906 and in specific tape configurations.

CAN/CSA Z96-15

CAN/CSA Z96-15 describes the requirements for high visibility apparel for Canadian workers to be seen by vehicle operators, especially in low-light conditions or darkness. CSA lists three classes of garments based on body coverage provided.

CLASS 2 apparel has full coverage of the upper torso(front, back, sides and over the shoulders). Stripes/bands shall be composed of retro-reflective or combined performance materials, and are to be displayed to ensure 360°visibility.

CLASS 3 apparel provides the greatest body coverage and visibility. Apparel meets the same requirements as Class 2 with the addition of bands around both arms and legs.

BS EN 1150:1999

BS EN 1150:1999 is the British-adopted European standards for non-professional use visibility clothing, which specifies the optical photometric, colorimetric and physical property performance of retro-reflective material, as well as the requirements for high visibility clothing designed for non-professional use and to be worn by juveniles or adults who want to enhance the visibility in any light conditions. Consult our service staff for detailed information into the standards.

EN ISO 14116:2008 (BS EN 533:1997)

EN ISO 14116:2008 supersedes BS EN 533:1997 in providing more comprehensive information on the performance requirements for the limited flame spread properties of materials and material assemblies used in protective clothing in European countries. The protective clothing is intended to protect workers against accidental contact with small flames and without significant heat hazard. For protection against heat hazards, we are glad to introduce you EN ISO 11612: Protective clothing against heat and flame, the revised version of EN 531:1995: Protective clothing for workers exposed to heat.

ASTM F 1506

ASTM F1506, standard performance specification for flame resistant textile material testing and apparels made from compliant materials. The protective clothing are to be used by electrical workers exposed to momentary electric arc and related thermal hazards. Specific requirements for flammability test before and after 25 washes, arc thermal performance test, labeling, thread, and closures and periodical retesting are included in the specification. If you are interested to know more information about this standard and our product compliances, please contact our service staff.

NFPA 701

NFPA 701 is a national standard of United States developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It establishes test methods to assess the propagation of flame of various textiles and films under specified fire test conditions. NFPA has various standards depending on how the fabric will be used. In the case of draperies, curtains, and similar hanging textiles, NFPA 701 applies. The testing measures the ignition resistance of a fabric after it is exposed to a flame for 12 seconds. The flame, char length, and flaming residue are recorded to meet certain criteria. For more detailed information, please consult our service staff online or by email.

BS EN 13356: 2001

BS EN 13356: 2001, the British standard for visibility accessories for non-professional use, specifies the optical performance requirements for accessories which are to be worn, attached to or carried by people and designed for non-professional use. Visibility accessories complying with this standard are intends to improve the road users’ visibility and enhance their safety while using the product. In case of any questions on details of this standard, our service staff is ready to answer them for you.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production. That means in addition to the outer material, the sewing threads, linings, prints etc. as well as non-textile accessories such as buttons, zip fasteners, rivets etc. also have to comply with the criteria. OEKO-TEX testing for harmful substances including illegal substances, legally regulated substances, known harmful (but not legally regulated) chemicals and parameters for health care. According to the actual use of the textile, there are four product classes. The more intensive the product contacts to the skin, the stricter the human ecological requirements to be met. For more detailed information on the standard and our product certificates, you’re welcomed to contact our service staff.