What Is EN 20471? High Visibility Clothing Standard Explained

Visibility is the difference between safety and a serious accident. In industries like road construction, aviation, or logistics, being seen by a vehicle operator is the primary defense for a worker. However, not all bright vests are created equal. A “neon” vest bought from a local supermarket is not the same as professional-grade EN 20471 compliant workwear.

This guide explains the technicalities of the EN 20471 standard, how the material layers work, and how to select the correct protection level for your specific work environment.

What is EN 20471 (EN ISO 20471)?

EN 20471 is the international safety standard for High-Visibility Warning Clothing. It specifies the requirements for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) capable of signaling the user’s presence visually. Whether it is bright sunshine, fog, or total darkness, this standard ensures that the wearer is conspicuous to operators of vehicles or other mechanized equipment.

Originally known as EN 471, the standard was updated to EN ISO 20471 in 2013 to harmonize it globally. It defines how much fluorescent material and retroreflective tape must be used and where it must be placed on the body to ensure “human shape” recognition from all angles.

The core goal of EN 20471 is simple: to make sure workers can be seen in any lighting condition, 24 hours a day, reducing the risk of collisions in hazardous environments.

How EN 20471 Improves Visibility (Day and Night)

To provide 24-hour protection, compliant clothing must use two distinct types of materials that work together. They are not interchangeable; they serve specific roles based on the light source.

1. Fluorescent Background Material (Daytime Visibility)

This is the primary body fabric of the garment. Fluorescent fabrics absorb invisible ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and re-emit it as visible light. This makes the fabric appear much brighter than normal colors, even in flat light, mist, or dusk. The standard allows three colors: Fluorescent Yellow, Orange-Red, and Red.

2. Retroreflective Material (Nighttime Visibility)

These are the silver strips or tapes applied on top of the background fabric. It uses glass bead or micro-prism technology to bounce light (like truck headlights) directly back to the source. Without these tapes, a worker is practically invisible at night, regardless of how bright the body fabric color is.

Material Component	Role in Garment	Primary Function	Optimal Conditions
Fluorescent Fabric	Main Body / Base Layer	Daytime visibility	Fog, rain, sunlight
Retroreflective Tape	Applied Strips / Accents	Nighttime visibility	Darkness, headlights

Compliance Tip: A garment is only EN 20471 certified if it contains both materials. A bright neon shirt without tapes, or a dark jacket with only tapes, will not pass the safety audit.

Visibility Classification: Class 1, 2, and 3 Explained

EN 20471 categorizes clothing into three classes based on the minimum surface area of visible material. The higher the class, the more visible the worker is to a driver.

• Class 1 (Low Risk): For environments where vehicle speeds are below 30 km/h (e.g., parking lots or private roads).
• Class 2 (Medium Risk): The industry standard for construction sites and roads where traffic moves between 30 and 60 km/h.
• Class 3 (High Risk): Mandatory for high-speed environments (over 60 km/h), such as highways or airports. This level usually requires full-body coverage, including long sleeves or trousers with reflective bands.

Requirement	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Fluorescent Body Fabric	0.14 m2	0.50 m2	0.80 m2
Reflective Tape Area	0.10 m2	0.13 m2	0.20 m2

Critical Design and Placement Requirements

Meeting the surface area requirement is not enough. EN 20471 strictly regulates the layout of the materials to ensure the worker is recognized as a human being rather than a stationary object.

360-degree Visibility Details

The garment must be designed so that the wearer is visible from all angles (front, back, and sides). Key design details include:

• Horizontal Bands: Reflective tapes must encircle the torso. Most garments require at least two horizontal bands spaced at least 50 mm apart.
• Shoulder Bands: Many designs include vertical tapes over the shoulders. This ensures visibility if the worker is bending over or kneeling, as horizontal-only bands might be hidden.
• Arm and Leg Placement: For Class 3 garments, reflective bands must encircle the sleeves and trouser legs. This is vital for “biomotion” recognition—allowing drivers to see the movement of limbs and immediately identify a person.
• Gap Limits: To maintain the 360-degree effect, any gaps in the reflective tape (for zippers or fasteners) must not exceed 50 mm in total.

Fabric Selection for EN 20471 Workwear

The choice of base fabric impacts both compliance and wearer comfort. Since these garments are used in industrial settings, the material must withstand heavy use.

• Polyester: The most popular choice for hi-vis gear because it holds fluorescent dyes extremely well and offers high durability.
• Cotton Blends: Ideal for shirts or inner linings to improve sweat absorption and skin comfort in hot weather.
• Durability Factors: Certified fabrics must pass tests for color fastness, tensile strength, and breathability. If the neon color fades or the fabric tears easily, the garment’s safety rating is compromised.

To meet these high standards, Begoodtex offers a range of professional fabrics that balance fluorescent colorfastness with exceptional durability, including options that integrate flame-retardant and anti-static properties. Their cotton-blend series further enhances breathability and moisture-wicking without sacrificing industrial-grade strength, ensuring long-lasting comfort in demanding environments.

EN 20471 vs. ANSI/ISEA 107

While EN 20471 is the European and international standard, ANSI/ISEA 107 is the equivalent used in the United States. They share the same objective of protecting workers through visibility, but their testing methods for retroreflectivity and classification (Types vs. Classes) differ slightly. For global projects, it is essential to ensure the garment meets the specific standard required by local law.

Summary

EN 20471 is a life-saving technical standard that balances fabric science with strategic design. To ensure total compliance:

• Combine materials: You must have both the fluorescent body fabric and reflective tapes.
• Match the risk: Use the speed of local traffic to choose between Class 1, 2, or 3.
• Ensure 360-degree design: Verify that bands encircle the body and limbs without large gaps.
• Quality over cost: Choose fabrics with high color fastness to avoid premature fading.

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