EN ISO 20471:2013
FACT SHEET
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A guide to explain the
main differences between the
EN 471 and the new ISO EN 20471.
The norm for High Visibility, EN 471, is one of the
most widely known and used norms under the
PPE directive. In June 2013, The Official Journal
of the European Union published the new
standard EN ISO 20471:2013.
This harmonized standard has replaced
the former standard EN 471:2004+A1:2007.
Starting October 2013 all High Visibility
products had to be
CE marked and certified to ISO EN 20471.
In practical terms, materials
manufacturers and Notified Bodies
need time to update the required
documentation to CE mark to the
new norm. It is expected that this
process will take some time.
Products that are CE marked to
EN 471 or ISO EN 20471 will
therefore now co-exist on the
market during the years ahead and
will only change as manufacturers
update their products and
documentation to the new norm.
The new norm EN ISO 20471 essentially
provides the same level of safety as EN 471, but there
are a few important changes which are summarized in
the following pages.
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SCOPE
The standard specifies the requirements for high visibility clothing “which is capable of
visually signalling the user’s presence”. The new standard has broadened the usage base
and a distinction between different types of risk situations has been made. The defined
risk situations will be the basis for which norm is applicable for the user. ISO EN 20471 is
applicable to high-risk situations.
DESIGN
Basics such as the area requirements for background materials, retro reflective materials
and combined performance materials with three classes of garments remain unchanged.
The main difference is in the specific design requirements. The requirements are now
depending on which part of the body the garment is covering, such as torso - for
example, vests and tabards; torso and arms - jackets and coats; legs, for instance, waist-
band and bib and brace trousers, and shorts; torso and legs - including coveralls with
sleeves; and torso, arms and legs - for example, coveralls with sleeves,
whereas in the previous version, the type of garment was the basis for the design
(jackets, waistcoats etc).
In the new norm, all class 3 garments must cover the torso and have as a minimum
either sleeves with retro reflective bands or full length trouser legs with retro reflective
bands. This ends the possibility to CE mark sleeveless class 3 garments. If a short sleeve is
covering a torso band, retro reflective tape must be fitted on the sleeve.
It is now also possible to CE mark separate garments together (instead of a single
garment) to fulfil a requirement for a certain performance class. This is achieved by a so
called clothing ensemble: e.g. by certifying jackets and trousers together.
BACKGROUND MATERIAL, NON-FLUORESCENT MATERIAL
The high visibility colours (fluorescent yellow & orange-red ) with respective colour
coordinates and luminance factors remain unchanged, but the background materials
must now undergo colour testing also after washing. The testing must be performed
after the maximum number of washing cycles according to the care recommendations
indicated by the manufacturer, alternatively 5 cycles if such indication is missing.
Colourfastness requirements to washing/drying of non-fluorescent background material
have been reduced. Adjustments have also been made to the dimensional change
requirements of both knitted and woven materials. Mechanical properties are also
changed: tensile/bursting strength requirements are reduced as well as tear strength
requirements for on laminates/coated materials.
Physiological performance requirements, i.e. water vapour and thermal resistance are
now specified in more detail. Tabards and waistcoats are exempt from physiological per-
formance requirements
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REQUIREMENTS FOR RETRO REFLECTIVE MATERIALS
For separate performance material, the weaker performing material corresponding to
EN 471 level 1 is now deleted, leaving the former EN 471 level 2 materials as the only
option. Test methods for performance after washing now requires each cycle to be a
wash and dry cycle.
The requirements for combined performance material remain unchanged and can be
used to meet the requirements of the retro-reflective materials on class 1 garments.
MARKING, CARE LABELLING
Previously, the pictogram and care labelling created a great deal of uncertainty. This is
now better defined. The new graphical symbol for High Visibility Clothing has been
simplified. After removing the type 1 reflective material from the norm, the figure
indicated in the symbol (X) is now indicating the garment class only.
If the maximum number of cleaning cycles is stated in the manufacturer’s instructions
it shall be related to the component of the high visibility material with the lowest
number of washes. The maximum number of washes shall be marked on the garment’s
permanent label near the graphical symbol below. If such an indication is not given,
certification has been granted on testing after 5 washes only. Drying must occur after
each washing cycle.
EN 471:2003+A1:2007 EN ISO 20471:2013
MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS
It is the manufacturer who is responsible for informing the expected life time and
limitations of the product. All garments must be marked according to the
manufacturers’ instructions. A defined explanation to the meaning of the maximum
number of cleaning cycles provided with the garment (essentially stating that cleaning is
not the only factor related to the life time of the product) must now be included in the
information supplied by the manufacturer.
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