EN471
What is EN471?
EN471 is a specification required by law in order to protect people who work on the roadside, whilst they go about their day to day business. The standards are set by identifying the risks to people. The legislation is drawn up by organisations such as the BSI. This is the minimum standard for high visibility clothing for professional use, test methods and requirements. The standard states, "where greater conspicuity is required, the higher level of retroreflective material should be used".
What does it mean?
The latest revision to the standard is EN471:2003 – this is the standard that you must comply with. The EN471 standards are revised every 5 years, if it is considered necessary. The first EN471 standard was written in 1994. Since then, the European Technical Committee requested some amendments to the standard having received requests from test houses and committee members, particularly in terms of design freedom. The overall revision was finished and was implemented in April 2004. The current EN471 standard with the new amendments is EN471:2003
What are the specifics of the standard?
EN471: 2003 High-visibility warning clothing
EN471 High Visibility Garments
Class 2: Intermediate level of protection
Examples: Sleeveless waistcoats, tabards, bib and brace trousers
0.5m2 fluorescent material
0.13m2 retroreflective material
Class 3: Highest level of protection
Coats and jackets with sleeves, coveralls, two piece suits
0.8m2 fluorescent material
0.2m2 retroreflective material
There are within the standard, certain requirements for in-use Test Requirements, these are as follows:
Retroreflection materials require brightness after:
- Rainfall Performance
- Temperature Variation
- Abrasion
- Cold folding
- Flexing
- Washing
- Dry cleaning (where applicable)
Flourescent materials:
- UV exposure
- Dimensional change
- Water vapour resistance
- Colour fastness
- Mechanical properties
