prEN ISO 20471
(Main)Protective clothing - High visibility warning clothing for high risk situations - Test methods and requirements (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
Protective clothing - High visibility warning clothing for high risk situations - Test methods and requirements (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
ISO 20471:2013 specifies requirements for high visibility clothing which is capable of visually signalling the user's presence. The high visibility clothing is intended to provide conspicuity of the wearer in any light condition when viewed by operators of vehicles or other mechanized equipment during daylight conditions and under illumination of headlights in the dark.
Performance requirements are included for colour and retroreflection as well as for the minimum areas and for the placement of the materials in protective clothing.
Schutzkleidung - Hochsichtbare Warnkleidung - Prüfverfahren und Anforderungen (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
Habillement de protection - Habillement de signalisation à haute visibilité pour des situations à haut risque - Méthodes d’essai et exigences (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
L'ISO 20471:2013 spécifie les exigences que doivent respecter les vêtements à haute visibilité afin de signaler visuellement la présence de l'utilisateur. Les vêtements à haute visibilité sont destinés à offrir une perceptibilité du porteur lorsqu'il est vu par les conducteurs de véhicules ou d'autres équipements mécaniques, dans toutes les conditions de luminosité, de jour et de nuit dans la lumière des phares d'un véhicule.
Les exigences de performance sont indiquées pour la couleur et la rétroréflexion ainsi que pour les surfaces minimales et le positionnement des matières utilisées sur le vêtement de protection.
Varovalna obleka - Dobro vidna obleka za opozarjanje v visokotveganih situacijah - Preskusne metode in zahteve (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
ISO 20471:2013 določa zahteve za oblačila z visoko vidljivostjo, ki so sposobna vizualno signalizirati prisotnost uporabnika. Oblačila z visoko vidljivostjo so namenjena zagotavljanju vidnosti nosilca v vseh svetlobnih pogojih, ko jih opazujejo upravljavci vozil ali druge mehanizirane opreme med dnevno svetlobo in pod osvetlitvijo žarometov v temi.
Zahteve glede zmogljivosti vključujejo barvo in retrorefleksijo (odboj svetlobe nazaj proti viru) ter minimalne površine in postavitev materialov v zaščitnih oblačilih.
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 26-Oct-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 162 - Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 162/WG 7 - Visibility clothing and accessories
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 02-Apr-2026
- Completion Date
- 02-Apr-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 07-Feb-2024
- Effective Date
- 07-Feb-2024
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Agricultural Institute of Slovenia. Soil testing, plant health, agricultural product analysis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
prEN ISO 20471 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Protective clothing - High visibility warning clothing for high risk situations - Test methods and requirements (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)". This standard covers: ISO 20471:2013 specifies requirements for high visibility clothing which is capable of visually signalling the user's presence. The high visibility clothing is intended to provide conspicuity of the wearer in any light condition when viewed by operators of vehicles or other mechanized equipment during daylight conditions and under illumination of headlights in the dark. Performance requirements are included for colour and retroreflection as well as for the minimum areas and for the placement of the materials in protective clothing.
ISO 20471:2013 specifies requirements for high visibility clothing which is capable of visually signalling the user's presence. The high visibility clothing is intended to provide conspicuity of the wearer in any light condition when viewed by operators of vehicles or other mechanized equipment during daylight conditions and under illumination of headlights in the dark. Performance requirements are included for colour and retroreflection as well as for the minimum areas and for the placement of the materials in protective clothing.
prEN ISO 20471 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
prEN ISO 20471 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 20471:2013/A1:2016, EN ISO 20471:2013. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
prEN ISO 20471 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2016/425; Standardization Mandates: M/571, M/571 AMD 1. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
prEN ISO 20471 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2026
Varovalna obleka - Dobro vidna obleka za opozarjanje v visokotveganih situacijah
- Preskusne metode in zahteve (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
Protective clothing - High visibility warning clothing for high risk situations - Test methods
and requirements (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
Schutzkleidung - Hochsichtbare Warnkleidung - Prüfverfahren und Anforderungen
(ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
Habillement de protection - Habillement de signalisation à haute visibilité pour des
situations à haut risque - Méthodes d’essai et exigences (ISO/DIS 20471:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 20471
ICS:
13.340.10 Varovalna obleka Protective clothing
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 20471
ISO/TC 94/SC 13
Protective clothing — High visibility
Secretariat: SNV
warning clothing for high risk
Voting begins on:
situations — Test methods and
2026-03-31
requirements
Voting terminates on:
ICS: 13.340.10
2026-06-23
IMPORTANT — Please use this updated version dated
2026-02-04 and discard any previous version of this
DIS. Annex ZA has been modified.
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
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Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Design . 4
4.1 Types and classes .4
4.2 Specific design requirements .4
4.2.1 Garments covering only the torso.4
4.2.2 Garments covering torso and arms .5
4.2.3 Garments covering legs .7
4.2.4 Garments covering torso and legs .8
4.2.5 Garments covering torso, arms and legs .8
4.3 Size designation .9
5 Requirements for background material, non-fluorescent material and combined-
performance material . 10
5.1 Colour performance requirements of new material .10
5.1.1 Background material .10
5.1.2 Combined-performance material .10
5.2 Colour after Xenon test .10
5.3 Colour fastness of background material and all non-fluorescent material layers after
test exposure .11
5.3.1 Colour fastness to rubbing .11
5.3.2 Colour fastness to perspiration .11
5.3.3 Colour fastness when laundered, dry cleaned, hypochlorite bleached and hot
pressed .11
5.4 Dimensional change of background material and non-fluorescent material . 12
5.5 Mechanical properties for background material and non-fluorescent material . 12
5.5.1 Tensile strength of woven material . 12
5.5.2 Bursting strength of knitted materials . 12
5.5.3 Tensile strength and tear resistance of coated fabrics and laminates. 12
5.6 Ergonomics and comfort. 12
6 Photometric performance requirements for retroreflective material and combined-
performance material after physical exposure .12
6.1 Retroreflective performance requirements of new material . 12
6.2 Retroreflective performance requirements after test exposure . 13
6.2.1 General . 13
6.2.2 Separate-performance retroreflective material . 13
6.2.3 The coefficient of retroreflection R' for separate performance retroreflective
materials shall exceed 100 cd/(lx · m ) measured at observation angle α = 12'
and entrance angle ß1 = 5° (ß2 = 0°).Combined-performance material . 13
6.2.4 Orientation-sensitive materials .14
7 Test methods . 14
7.1 Sampling and conditioning .14
7.2 Determination of colour .14
7.3 Method of determination of retroreflective photometric performance .14
7.4 Retroreflection after exposure . 15
7.4.1 Abrasion . 15
7.4.2 Flexing . 15
7.4.3 Folding at cold temperatures . 15
7.4.4 Exposure to temperature variation . 15
7.4.5 Rainfall . 15
iii
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
7.5 Ageing . 15
7.5.1 General . 15
7.5.2 Washing . 15
7.5.3 Dry cleaning .16
8 Marking . .16
9 Information supplied by the manufacturer .16
Annex A (informative) Information concerning risk situations . 17
Annex B (normative) Positioning of bands of retroreflective material on jackets for industrial
wash test only .18
Annex C (normative) Method of measuring wet retroreflective performance . 19
Annex D (informative) Guidelines for the design of high visibility garments .21
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation 2016/425 aimed to be covered .22
Bibliography .24
iv
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 20471 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Protective clothing and
equipment, Subcommittee SC 13, Protective clothing.
This corrected version of ISO 20471:2013 incorporates the following correction:
— in the fourth paragraph of subclause 4.1 the requirement concerning the sleeves of a class 3 garment has
been corrected.
v
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
Introduction
The performance of the conspicuity-enhancing materials to be used for high risk-related visibility clothing
is specified photometrically together with minimum areas and placement (design) requirements.
Conspicuity is the property that makes an object readily attract visual attention. This is a particularly
important feature in complex environments which have visually competing objects. Conspicuity is
determined by an object’s luminance contrast, colour contrast, pattern and design, and motion characteristics
relative to the ambient background against which it is seen.
Three classes of garment are defined based on three different minimum areas of retroreflective, fluorescent
and/or combined-performance materials. Each of these classes will provide a different level of conspicuity,
class 3 being the class that provides the highest degree of conspicuity against most backgrounds found in
urban and rural situations in daylight and in night time. Users should select the required class of performance
based on a risk assessment of the location/situation in which the protection afforded by clothing to this
International Standard is required.
This International Standard contains requirements relating to risk assessment and risk analysis of high
visibility garments. Possible designs illustrating the placement of retroreflective materials are included
within the standard. Ergonomic factors such as fit/sizing, comfort, and range of motion of the wearer
should be considered when selecting the most appropriate configuration of retroreflective and fluorescent
materials within the garment.
Selection and use of high visibility warning clothing can vary among user countries and may be subject
to local regulations. This International Standard contains requirements relating to risk assessment of the
condition in which the high visibility warning clothing is to be used. This will involve consideration of the
factors which may affect an observer’s ability to detect that a person is present. The observer needs both
to perceive and to recognize the wearer and then needs to be able to take appropriate avoidance action.
The wearing of a conspicuity-enhancing high visibility garment does not guarantee that the wearer will be
visible under all conditions.
The minimum requirements given within this International Standard are determined by the specific
test methods and their assigned measuring values. The tests are partly performed on new materials and
partly on preconditioned materials. By preconditioning (e.g. folding of retroreflective material) a load of
the materials is simulated. However, it should be noted that laboratory testing may not represent real life
conditions. The conspicuity performance of a garment will depend on usage (e.g. dirt, solar irradiation), care
(e.g. cleaning agent, repair), storage (e.g. dust-free, lightproof), etc.
vi
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
Protective clothing — High visibility warning clothing for high
risk situations — Test methods and requirements
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for high visibility warning clothing which is capable of visually
signalling the user's presence. The high visibility warning clothing is intended to provide conspicuity of the
wearer in any light condition when viewed by operators of vehicles or other mechanized equipment during
daylight conditions and under illumination of headlights in the dark. For further information concerning
risk situations, see Annex A.
This document is intended for high-risk situations. This document is not applicable to medium-risk and low-
risk situations.
Performance requirements are included for colour and retroreflection as well as for the minimum areas and
for the placement of the materials in protective clothing.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 105-A02:1993, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour
ISO 105-A02:1993/Cor 1:1997, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change
in colour — Technical Corrigendum 1: (Applies to French version only)
ISO 105-A02:1993/Cor 2:2005, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change
in colour — Technical Corrigendum 2
ISO 105-A03:2019, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A03: Grey scale for assessing staining
ISO 105-B02:2014, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B02: Colour fastness to artificial light: Xenon arc
fading lamp test
ISO 105-C06:2010, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C06: Colour fastness to domestic and commercial
laundering
ISO 105-D01:2010, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part D01: Colour fastness to drycleaning using
perchloroethylene solvent
ISO 105-E04:2013, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E04: Colour fastness to perspiration
ISO 105-N01:1993, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part N01: Colour fastness to bleaching: Hypochlorite
ISO 105-X11:1994, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X11: Colour fastness to hot pressing
ISO 105-X12:2016, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing
ISO 1421:2016, Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics — Determination of tensile strength and elongation at break
ISO 4674-1:2016, Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics — Determination of tear resistance — Part 1: Constant rate
of tear methods
ISO 4675:2017, Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics — Low-temperature bend test
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
ISO 7854:1995, Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics — Determination of resistance to damage by flexing
ISO 12947-2:2016, Textiles — Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale method —
Part 2: Determination of specimen breakdown
ISO 13688:2013, Protective clothing — General requirements
ISO 13688:2013/Amd 1:2021, Protective clothing — General requirements — Amendment 1
ISO 13934-1:2013, Textiles — Tensile properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of maximum force and
elongation at maximum force using the strip method
ISO 13938-1:2019, Textiles — Bursting properties of fabrics — Part 1: Hydraulic method for determination of
bursting strength and bursting distension
ISO 13938-2:2019, Textiles — Bursting properties of fabrics — Part 2: Pneumatic method for determination of
bursting strength and bursting distension
CIE 15, Colorimetry
CIE 54.2, Retroreflection — Definition and measurement
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
high visibility warning clothing
warning clothing intended to provide improved conspicuity in situations where risk of not being seen is high
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.2.1]
3.2
fluorescent material
material that emits electromagnetic radiation at visible wavelengths longer than those absorbed
Note 1 to entry: The property of this material is based on fluorescence.
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.3.2]
3.3
background material
coloured fluorescent material intended to be highly conspicuous, which does not exhibit retroreflective
properties
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.3.1]
3.4
retroreflective material
material which has retroreflector properties and which does not exhibit fluorescent properties
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.3.3]
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
3.5
separate-performance material
material intended to exhibit either background or retroreflective properties but not both
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.3.5]
3.6
combined-performance material
material intended to exhibit both fluorescent and retroreflective properties
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.3.4]
3.7
orientation-sensitive material
material having coefficients of retroreflection that differ by more than
15 % when measured at the two rotation angles ε = 0° and ε = 90°
1 2
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.5.1]
3.8
torso
trunk
part of the body to which the neck and limbs are attached
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 4.2.1, modified – neck replacing head]
3.9
long sleeve
(1/1 arm)
part of a garment that is completely covering the arm
3.10
road
traffic-related area with moving vehicles
EXAMPLE Cycling path, harbour, airport, railway track and car park.
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.1.1, Examples added]
3.11
active road user
person on the road, participating in the traffic and with the attention on the traffic
EXAMPLE Cyclist using the road and pedestrian using the road.
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.1.2, modified - Examples added]
3.12
passive road user
person on the road, not participating in vehicular traffic and with attention focused on something other
than traffic
EXAMPLE Road worker, person in emergency situation.
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 12.1.3, Examples added]
3.13
outer material
outermost material of which the warning clothing is made
[SOURCE: ISO 11610:2023, 4.3.27]
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
4 Design
4.1 Types and classes
High visibility warning clothing is grouped into three classes related to risk assessment. Each class shall
have minimum areas of background, retroreflective and combined-performance materials incorporated in
the garment in accordance with Table 1. Garments shall comprise the required areas of background material
and retroreflective material or alternatively shall comprise the required area of combined-performance
material. The area shall be measured on the smallest garment size available for each class with all fasteners
adjusted to the smallest configuration possible.
The garment shall be made up of high visibility material on all sides. To ensure visibility from all sides (360°
visibility), it is important that horizontal retroreflective bands and fluorescent materials encircle torso,
trouser legs and sleeves.
The performance class can be obtained using a single garment or a clothing ensemble, e.g. jacket and
trousers. An assembly, e.g. a classified trouser and a classified jacket, can be classified as a higher class if the
assembly meets the minimum requirement achieved by the actually visible area when wearing the garment.
This higher class shall be additionally specified in both the information for use and on the labels of both
garments (see Clause 8).
Regardless of the area of materials used, a class 3 garment shall cover the torso and shall have as a minimum
either sleeves with retroreflective bands or full length trouser legs with retroreflective bands, if not both.
Table 1 — Minimum required areas of visible material in m
Material Class 3 gar- Class 2 gar- Class 1 gar-
ments ments ments
Background material 0,80 0,50 0,14
Retroreflective material 0,20 0,13 0,10
Combined-performance material n. a. n. a. 0,20
NOTE The clothing class is determined by the lowest area of visible material.
NOTE n.a.” stands for “not applicable
The minimum visible area requirements to achieve a garment classification in Table 1 are not to be reduced
or compromised due to the presence of any logos, lettering, labels etc.
At least 40 % of the minimum area of visible background material shall be on the front part of the garment.
Only those areas of retroreflective materials that comply with the design requirements of 4.2 shall be used in
the assessment of the minimum required area of retroreflective areas. When using two or more background
materials, the total area usable regardless of colour shall be measured. The garment is to be measured flat
on the table including torso, arms, legs and collar.
NOTE For additional information on high visibility garment design, see Annex D.
4.2 Specific design requirements
4.2.1 Garments covering only the torso
The background material shall encircle the torso and shall maintain a minimum width (height) of 50 mm.
Interruptions of background material by retroreflective stripes are not counted. Bands of retroreflective
material shall be at least 50 mm wide.
Garments only covering the torso shall have one or more bands of retroreflective material encircling the
torso with a maximum inclination of ±20° to the horizontal and bands of retroreflective material joining the
torso band from the front to the back over each shoulder. The bottom of the lowest torso band shall be at
least 50 mm above the bottom edge. If more than one horizontal band is applied the horizontal bands shall
be at least 50 mm apart.
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
Alternatively, garments covering only the torso shall have two bands of retroreflective material at least
50 mm apart and encircling the torso with a maximum inclination of ±20° to the horizontal. The bottom of
the lowest torso band shall be at least 50 mm above the bottom edge.
Tabards shall be constructed so that a person of the size for which they are designed can wear the tabard so
that any gaps at the sides shall not be greater than 50 mm horizontally.
Any gap (for fastening systems and seams) in the lengthwise continuity of each band of retroreflective or
combined-performance material shall not be greater than 50 mm, measured parallel to the direction of the
band, and the total of such gaps shall not be greater than 100 mm in any one band around the torso.
The gaps in the background material shall be regarded the same way as reflective bands. Any gap (e.g.
fastening systems and seams etc.) in the continuity of background material shall be allowed as long as the
total amount of material fulfils the minimum requirements as specified in 4.1 in Table 1.
Examples of garments covering only the torso are given in Figure 1.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 1 — Examples of garments covering only the torso
NOTE Examples of garments covering only the torso are vests and tabards.
4.2.2 Garments covering torso and arms
The background material shall encircle the torso and the sleeves and shall maintain a minimum width
(height) of 50 mm. Interruptions by vertical oriented retroreflective stripes are not counted. Bands of
retroreflective material shall be at least 50 mm wide.
Garments covering the torso and arms shall have one or more bands of retroreflective material encircling
the torso with a maximum inclination of ±20° to the horizontal and bands of retroreflective material joining
the torso band from the front to the back over each shoulder. The bottom of the lowest torso band shall be at
least 50 mm above the bottom edge. If more than one horizontal band is applied, the horizontal bands shall
be at least 50 mm apart.
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
Alternatively, garments covering torso and arms shall have two or more bands of retroreflective material
at least 50 mm apart and encircling the torso with a maximum inclination of ±20° to the horizontal. The
bottom of the lowest torso band shall be at least 50 mm above the bottom edge.
If a sleeve blocks a clear view of a horizontal torso band, then the sleeve shall be encircled by a retroreflective
band. If it is a long sleeve (1/1 arm) garment, the sleeve shall be encircled by two bands of retroreflective
material at least 50 mm apart.
If a sleeve blocks a clear view of two horizontal torso bands, then the sleeve shall be encircled with two
retroreflective bands at least 50 mm apart with the lower band at least 50 mm above the sleeve edge. Testing
regarding the clear view shall be done by visual inspection while moving the arm in all positions.
Any gap (for fastening systems and seams) in the lengthwise continuity of each band of retroreflective or
combined-performance material shall not be greater than 50 mm, measured parallel to the direction of the
band, and the total of such gaps shall not be greater than 100 mm in any one band around the torso and
50 mm around the sleeves.
The gaps in the background material shall be regarded the same way as reflective bands. Any gap (e.g.
fastening systems and seams etc.) in the continuity of background material shall be allowed as long as the
total amount of material fulfils the minimum requirements as specified in 4.1 in Table 1.
Examples for garments covering the torso and arms are given in Figure 2.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 2 — Examples of garments covering torso and arms
NOTE Examples of garments covering torso and arms are jackets, shirts, coats and t-shirts.
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
4.2.3 Garments covering legs
The background material shall encircle the trouser legs and shall maintain a minimum width (height) of
50 mm. Interruptions by retroreflective stripes are not counted. Bands of retroreflective material shall be at
least 50 mm wide.
Garments covering legs shall have two or more bands of retroreflective material at least 50 mm apart and
encircling each leg with a maximum inclination of ±20° to the horizontal. The bottom of the lower band shall
be at least 50 mm above the bottom of the trouser leg.
Bib and brace trousers can have one or more bands of retroreflective material encircling the torso, with a
maximum inclination of ±20° to the horizontal.
Any gap (for fastening systems and seams) in the lengthwise continuity of each band of retroreflective or
combined-performance material shall not be greater than 50 mm, measured parallel to the direction of the
band.
The gaps in the background material shall be regarded the same way as reflective bands. Any gap (e.g.
fastening systems and seams etc.) in the continuity of background material shall be allowed as long as the
total amount of material fulfils the minimum requirements as specified in 4.1 in Table 1.
Examples for garments covering legs are given in Figure 3.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 3 — Examples of garments covering legs
NOTE Examples of garments covering legs are trousers, shorts, bermudas, waistband trousers and bib and brace.
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
4.2.4 Garments covering torso and legs
The background material shall encircle the torso and trouser legs and shall maintain a minimum width
(height) of 50 mm. Interruptions by retroreflective stripes are not counted. Bands of retroreflective material
shall be at least 50 mm wide.
The requirements of 4.2.1 and 4.2.3 shall be applied.
The gaps in the background material shall be regarded the same way as reflective bands. Any gap (e.g.
fastening systems and seams etc.) in the continuity of background material shall be allowed as long as the
total amount of material fulfils the minimum requirements as specified in 4.1 in Table 1.
An example of a garment covering the torso and legs is given in Figure 4.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 4 — An example of garments covering torso and legs
NOTE An example of a garment covering torso and legs is coveralls without sleeves.
4.2.5 Garments covering torso, arms and legs
The background material shall encircle the torso, the sleeves and trouser legs and shall maintain a minimum
width of 50 mm (in height). Interruptions by retroreflective stripes are not counted. Bands of retroreflective
material shall be at least 50 mm wide.
The requirements of 4.2.2. and 4.2.3. shall be applied.
The gaps in the background material shall be regarded the same way as reflective bands. Any gap (e.g.
fastening systems and seams etc.) in the continuity of background material shall be allowed as long as the
total amount of material fulfils the minimum requirements as specified in 4.1 in Table 1.
Examples for garments covering torso, arms and legs are given in Figure 5.
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 5 — Example of garments covering torso, arms and legs
NOTE An example of a garment covering torso, arms and legs is coveralls with sleeves.
4.3 Size designation
The size designation shall be in accordance with ISO 13688:2013, Clause 6 and as impacted by
ISO 13688:2013/Amd.1:2021.
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
5 Requirements for background material, non-fluorescent material and combined-
performance material
5.1 Colour performance requirements of new material
5.1.1 Background material
When tested according to 7.2, the chromaticity coordinates and the luminance factors shall comply with the
requirements of Table 2.
5.1.2 Combined-performance material
When tested according to 7.2, the chromaticity coordinates and the luminance factors shall comply with the
requirements of Table 2.
The mean luminance factor of orientation-sensitive retroreflective material shall comply with the
requirements of Table 2 when measured at the two rotation angles 0° and 90° as defined in 7.3.
The mean chromaticity of orientation-sensitive retroreflective material shall comply with the requirements
of Table 2 when measured at the two rotation angles 0° and 90° as defined in 7.3.
Table 2 — Colour requirements for background and combined-performance material
Colour Chromaticity coordinates Minimum
luminance factor
x y β
min
Fluorescent 0,387 0,610 0,70
yellow 0,356 0,494
0,398 0,452
0,460 0,540
Fluorescent 0,610 0,390 0,40
orange-red 0,535 0,375
0,570 0,340
0,655 0,345
Fluorescent 0,655 0,345 0,25
red 0,570 0,340
0,595 0,315
0,690 0,310
5.2 Colour after Xenon test
The colour after exposure shall be within the areas defined by the coordinates in Table 2 for background
materials and combined-performance materials and its luminance factor shall comply with the minimum
value for the luminance factor (Table 2) of the colour that is obtained on exposure to Xenon light e.g. a
fluorescent red is acceptable if after exposure to Xenon light its colour-coordinates are within the tolerated
area for orange-red and if its luminance factor is higher than 0,4. The exposure of the test sample shall be
performed in accordance with ISO 105-B02:2014, method 3. Exposure shall continue until the blue scale
control standard number 5 has changed to grade 3 of the grey scale for red and orange-red materials and for
yellow materials the blue scale control standard number 4 has changed to grade 4 of the grey scale according
to ISO 105-A02:1993 and impacted by ISO 105-A02:1993/Cor 1:1997 (applies to French version only) and
ISO 105-A02:1993/Cor 2:2005.
If the colour changes from one colourbox to another, this shall be mentioned in the instructions for use.
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
5.3 Colour fastness of background material and all non-fluorescent material layers after
test exposure
5.3.1 Colour fastness to rubbing
The test shall be conducted in accordance with ISO 105-X12:2016. The colour fastness to rubbing (dry), when
assessed with ISO 105-A03:2019, shall be at least grade 4 of the grey scale with respect to staining.
5.3.2 Colour fastness to perspiration
The test shall be conducted in accordance with ISO 105-E04:2013. For background material, the colour
fastness, when assessed with ISO 105-A02:1993 and impacted by ISO 105-A02:1993/Cor 1:1997 (applies to
French version only) and ISO 105-A02:1993/Cor 2:2005, shall be at least grade 4 of the grey scale for the
colour change of the specimen. Background material and all non-fluorescent material layers, when assessed
with ISO 105-A03:2013, shall be at least grade 4 of the grey scale with respect to staining.
5.3.3 Colour fastness when laundered, dry cleaned, hypochlorite bleached and hot pressed
According to the care recommendation of the garment, the colour fastness shall be determined in accordance
with the performance requirements and test methods of Table 3.
Table 3 — Colour fastnesses
a
Care process Minimum fastness grade of the grey scale Test method
Background material Non-fluorescent
material (without retrore-
flective and combined-per-
formance material)
Laundry Colour change: 4-5 Staining: 4 Domestic:
b, c
Staining: 4 ISO 105-C06:2010 or Industry:
ISO 105-C06:2010, test number
E2S
Dry cleaning Colour change: 4 Staining: 4 ISO 105-D01:2010
Staining: 4
Hypochlorite Colour change: 4 ISO 105-N01:1993
bleaching
Hot pressing Colour change: 4-5 Staining: 4 ISO 105-X11:1994
Staining: 4 (condition dry/dry)
a
According to ISO 105-A02:1993 and impacted by ISO 105-A02:1993/Cor 1:1997 (applies to French version only) and ISO 105-
A02:1993/Cor 2:2005 and ISO 105-A03:2019.
b
According to care recommendations (see ISO 3758:2023), using multifibre adjacent fabric.
c
If multifibre adjacent fabric is not applicable, staining can be tested replacing adjacent fabric with fluorescent background
material.
Select only the fibre corresponding to the fibres of the background material and non-fluorescent material.
The fibres should be selected corresponding to the fibres of the background material and non- fluorescent
material. Test results of non-fluorescent material shall be compared to the fibres present in the fluorescent
background material.
— If the fibre content is 5 % or less, it can be ignored.
Specimens shall be line dried hanging in air at a temperature not exceeding 60 °C with parts in contact only
at the lines of the stitching.
ISO/DIS 20471:2026(en)
5.4 Dimensional change of background material and non-fluorescent material
5.4.1 The requirements and testing procedures for dimensional change on materials shall comply with
ISO 13688:2013, 5.3 and as impacted by ISO 13688:2013/Amd.1:2021.
5.4.2 For knitted materials, the dimensional change shall not exceed ±5 % in both length and width.
5.5 Mechanical properties for background material and non-fluorescent material
5.5.1 Tensile strength of woven material
The tensile strength in weft and warp direction shall fulfil the following requirements:
— tensile strength shall be ≥ 100 N;
— tensile strength shall be tested in accordance with ISO 13934-1:2013.
5.5.2 Bursting strength of knitted materials
When tested in accordance with ISO 13938-1:2019 or ISO 13938-2:2019 using a 50 cm test area, the burst
strength of knitted outer material shall have a mean minimum of 100 kPa or, using a 7,3 cm test area, shall
be a minimum of 260 kPa.
5.5.3 Tensile strength and tear resistance of coated fabrics and laminates
Outer material for high visibility warning clothing shall be tested according to ISO 1421:2016, method 1,
for tensile strength and have a minimum of 100 N. For materials with an elongation of more than 50 %,
this requirement is not applicable. Tear resistance shall be determined in accordance with ISO 4674-1:2016,
method A, and have a minimum of 20 N. For materials with an elongation of more than 50 %, this requirement
is not applicable.
5.6 Ergonomics and comfort
The ergonomic requirements of ISO 13688:2013 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.4.1
...