High-visibility clothing class 1, 2 or 3: what does EN ISO 20471 say?

Short answer: high-visibility clothing to EN ISO 20471 comes in three classes. The higher the class, the more fluorescent and reflective material and the better you are seen. For work by the road, class 2 is the minimum in daylight. In the dark, in poor visibility or with faster traffic you wear class 3. On a construction site the risk assessment of your employer or client decides which class is needed.

👷 High-visibility clothing is not a separate purchase but part of a project's safety plan. Always follow the agreements on site and the instructions of your supervisor or safety adviser. Their experience with traffic, machines and visibility is never superfluous.

What do the three classes mean?

The standard sets a minimum area per class. Fluorescent material makes you stand out in daylight, reflective material returns the light of headlights and site lamps in the dark.

The permitted fluorescent colours are yellow, orange-red and red. A jacket and trousers can reach a higher class together, but only if the label states this for that combination. So never assume that two separate garments are automatically class 3.

Which class do you need?

• Roadside work in daylight: at least class 2, even for short jobs.
• Roadside work in the dark, at dusk or in fog and rain: class 3, so sleeves with reflective tape or an overall.
• Traffic faster than 50 km/h: the Dutch guidelines for road works then require class 3.
• Construction site with site traffic, loaders or cranes: usually class 2. The employer records this in the risk assessment.
• Extra visibility on top of other clothing: a reflective harness or a fluorescent orange reflective cap is class 1 or has no class. It helps, but it does not replace a vest or jacket when class 2 or 3 is required.

⚠️ If you work on or beside a road with traffic, there must always be a traffic measure as well, such as barriers and signs according to an approved plan. Clothing alone is never enough. If in doubt, talk to the site manager or the road authority first.

Choose clothing that suits the weather

In autumn and winter it is dark in the morning and at the end of the working day. That is exactly when you often wear a coat over your vest, and the reflective tape disappears under a dark layer. So choose a garment that is visible in its own right.

• An insulated 2-in-1 high-visibility body warmer keeps your torso warm and leaves your arms free.
• A yellow high-visibility fleece sweatshirt or orange high-visibility fleece jacket works well as a mid layer on cold days.
• A yellow high-visibility softshell jacket or orange high-visibility softshell jacket is wind and water repellent for changing weather.
• An insulated 2-in-1 high-visibility rain jacket keeps you dry and visible in the rain. Also read our blog on rainwear, warm workwear and work gloves.
• A yellow reflective cap and lined winter work gloves complete the kit in the cold.

Check the label and the product page for the class of a garment. Without a clear mention of EN ISO 20471 and the class, it is not certified high-visibility clothing.

How to read the label

1. Pictogram with class: next to the pictogram of the standard there is a number 1, 2 or 3.
2. Maximum number of washes: many labels state how often you may wash the garment before visibility drops. If nothing is stated, it was tested after five washes.
3. Care instructions: wash at the stated temperature and without fabric softener, because it can damage the reflective tape.

Replace clothing sooner if the fabric fades or stays dirty, if reflective bands tear or come loose, or if paint, cement or oil no longer comes off. You lose visibility slowly, so you often notice it late yourself.

What else do you wear with it?

• A safety helmet on site and wherever something can fall. Read our blog on safety helmets.
• high leather S3 safety boot for wet and muddy work outdoors. Read our blog on choosing safety shoes.
• A pair of safety goggles against dust, grinding and splashes.
• A rechargeable LED work lamp to light the work area itself in the dark.

Read more about working safely in our blog on safe working on the construction site.

💡 When buying for a company, let everyone try on their own size. A vest that hangs too loose can catch on machines, and a jacket that is too tight is left open, so the reflective tape on the torso is lost.

Frequently asked questions

Is a yellow vest automatically class 2?

Not always. Only the label with EN ISO 20471 and the number 2 tells you the class of the vest. Cheap promotional vests sometimes only reach class 1 or are not certified.

May I work by the road in the dark with just a vest?

For roadside work in the dark or in poor visibility, class 3 applies. A vest is usually class 2. Wear a jacket with reflective sleeves or a combination labelled as class 3.

Do I have to wear high-visibility clothing as a homeowner?

There is usually no legal duty for private individuals, but if you work on the driveway, by the street or unload materials in the dark, a vest is little effort. For work on the public road, call in a professional or the company that arranges the barriers.

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

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