EN ISO 20471 sorts high-visibility clothing into three classes by how much fluorescent and reflective material a garment carries. Class 3 is the most visible. The class you need depends on your risk assessment and where your team works.
The three classes at a glance
| Class | Fluorescent material (minimum) | Reflective material (minimum) | Often found on | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0.14 m² | 0.10 m² | Trousers worn on their own | Lower-risk areas away from moving traffic |
| Class 2 | 0.50 m² | 0.13 m² | Vests, waistcoats, hi-vis polos and t-shirts | Construction sites and work near town traffic |
| Class 3 | 0.80 m² | 0.20 m² | Jackets with sleeves, coveralls, jacket and trouser sets | Work beside fast roads, at night or in poor light |
Minimum areas are from EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016, as summarised by the testing lab Centexbel.
How to choose the right class
- Start with your risk assessment. It sets the class your team needs, based on traffic speed, light levels and the work being done.
- Check the site rules. Many sites set their own minimum, so ask the principal contractor or client before you order.
- Two garments can make a higher class. A jacket and trousers that are each a lower class can reach Class 3 together, but only when they have been certified as a set. The label will say so.
- Check each size. Look at the class on the label or spec sheet for every size you order, not just one.
- Colour. The fluorescent material is yellow, orange or red. Choose the colour your site or client asks for.
- Keep it visible. Hi-vis only works if it can be seen, so it should not be covered by other clothing or kit.
On our product pages, the Standards row lists the EN ISO 20471 class wherever the manufacturer supplies it, so you can check it before you order.
Adding your logo to hi-vis
We usually print hi-vis rather than embroider it. DTF printing gives a crisp, full-colour logo on lightweight vests and handles mixed sizes in one run. When we add a logo, we keep it clear of the reflective tape and sized so the garment keeps its class, and you see exactly where it sits on your free digital proof.
Logos can also be printed in reflective ink, so they read in headlights as well as daylight. We did exactly that for the Guernsey Post uniform, built to ISO 20471 where the role called for it.
One tip from our embroidery team: if your staff wear a hi-vis vest over a polo, a logo on the polo disappears as soon as the vest goes on. Put your logo on the vest as well.
Looking after hi-vis
Follow the care label, because washing and wear slowly fade the fluorescent fabric and wear down the reflective tape. Replace any garment that is faded, badly stained or has damaged tape. It no longer does the job it was bought for.
Ordering hi-vis for a team
Hi-vis gets replaced more often than most uniform, so make reordering easy. With a trade account, site managers can order replacements themselves through your own ordering portal, with every site address saved for delivery.
Browse our hi-vis and PPE range. Plain hi-vis ordered by 3pm is delivered the next working day. You can order printed or embroidered hi-vis straight from the product page at set prices. For a large order, discounts are possible, so send your logo and quantities through our quote form and we will come back with pricing and a free digital proof, usually within one working day.