Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471

#Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
by BERENDSEN
201509 Ver 1.0
Differences between
EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
#Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
Table of contents.
During 2013, a new standard concerning high-visibility garments replaced EN 471: 2003. The new standard is called EN ISO
20471:2013. In this little handy guide, we aim to present the differences between the old standard and the new. If you need
more information about high-visibility garments in general, we refer to ”The Basics of High-visibility garments” which you can
download at www.berendsen.se
To make this material more informative, we have chosen to structure it in following categories:
#
#
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Garment classes
Demands on the material
Pictogram & labels
Things to consider!
# With the help of our navigator you can easily jump
between the pages. We have chosen to ”highlight”
(2,3,4,5), Those pages contains the most useful and
important information.
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Dont forget!
The updates made to the new standard affect several of the categories above. Each category ends with
a summary of the differences.
#Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
Garment classes.
Combination certification to achieve a higher class.
The requirement of the surface area of the new standard is the same as in EN 471.
However in EN ISO 20471, the manufacturer has the ability to certify combinations of
garments to achieve a higher safety class. This means that a class 1 trouser and a class
2 jacket can be certified together to achieve Class 3. Note that this is not something
done automatically. The combined garments need to be approved to achieve a higher
security level. This is something that the manufacturer may choose to do and it is then a
requirement to refer to it in the garments where this information can be found.
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Higher demands to achieve class 3.
For a garment to achieve Class 3, there are additional mandatory requirements.
These are to improve wearer protection and cover more hazardous situations. In
the standard the requirement of a reflective strip on the arms or legs is added,
this means that to acheive Class 3 for a top, the garments need to have some
form of sleeves with reflective strip. Exceptions to this rule is if the garment is a
combination of bottom and top in one and that there is either a reflective strip on
the sleeves or legs. An example of a garment that formerly lived up to the rules of
class 3 is the waistcoat. In the new standard this can only achieve Class 2, except
in combination with another garment.
#Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
Demands on the material.
Highest level of reflective strip.
The reflective strip is a very important part of a high-visibility garment. The requirements for this part of the garment have
there-fore been updated. In the old standard, the manufaturer had the opportunity to use a lower class of reflective strip. This
is changed in the new standard and is therefore no longer a part of the pictogram. Nowadays, it is always the highest class of
reflective strip so the need of showing quality level of the reflective strip in the pictogram is no longer needed.
Testing the durability of the material.
More new things in the standard is that the manufacturer need to perform a test of the aging of materials. This means
that you have to get the garment approved, test materials function even after you have washed and dried them. This will
simulate the start of use of the garment and adjacent to the testing that material still complies with the requirements when they
were new. In the requirement it is stated that the material must undergo at least 5 washes, or the maximum number of washes
stated in the garments. These washes take place in line with the washing instructions or according to the washing standard the
manufacturer chooses to test it towards. The test puts high demands on materials, compared with the previous standard, but is still
not to be mixed up with a measure of quality and lifespan. There are still many external factors which will affect the function of the
garment, such as dirt or incorrect handling. It’s important to remember that washing instructions differ by garment, which means
that the requirements for the test can be different depending on the garment.
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Water vapourisation.
In addition to the new requirement of testing another material test been added. It is a test of the materials ability to vapor
transmission (to test the breathability and repellency of the garment for wearer comfort). The test is added to increase the pressure on the comfort of the garment, which in many cases can be a challenge in garments such as these. The test is mainly relevant for garments designed to protect against rain.
#Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
Pictogram and labels.
Updated pictogram.
There are two updates that have been made in the classic stylized picture of a waistcoat, which
is pictogram for high-visibility clothing. As described in the section ”Highest level of reflective
strip” the reflective strips needs to live up to the earlier requirements of level 2. This means
that the quality of the reflective strip no longer needs to be stated in the pictogram, since the
standard only comply to one level, the highest. Also added is the ”suspender” (reflective strips
that go up from the waist and over the shoulders) in pictogram, which symbolizes the design
requirement of reflective strips, which have been added to enhance visibility from above.
(Garment
classes).
(Reflective
strip).
EN-471
X
(Garment
classes).
EN ISO-20471
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Maximum amount of washes.
The information about the number of washes in the garment is not designed as a measure
for the maximum number of washes the garment is able to be washed, but is added as a kind
of ”guarantee” given by the manufacturer. With proper care and maintenance garment can
very well perform according to the standard. Let us give an example and compare from the
electronics industry, when the guarantee of your DVD expires it does not mean that it can’t be
used still with good functionality. The max amount of washes stated in the garment relates to
the max number of washes the component that has the lowest level lived up to. Other materials
may well have passed a much higher requirement. Important point to mention is that the tests
are performed in the laboratory. As mentioned earlier, a number of other factors will also have
an impact on the garment’s life such as working conditions, type of industry and working
hours.
X
X
#Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
Dont forget!
• Updating standards is a long process and it usually takes a very long time before the market refers to the new one instead
of the old. The manufacturers have in general 5 years from the date of the new standard has become established, before the
garments according to the old standard may no longer be sold. This means that during the transition period, the manufacturer may market the garments according to the old standard. This is no problem and garments certified according to the old
standard shall not be regarded as unfit to use as they still protect the wearer according to the latest prevailing rules.
• The main parts of what has been adjusted in the new standard effect the manufacturer of the garments. But of course these
changes are something that the wearer will benefit from but the new regulations and requirements are effective when the
garments become certified.
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• All countries have their different seasons and each season has different requirements. Do not forget that during these times
that its still important to be visible. In the colder periods there should be clothes to keep you warm and during the warmer
periods the opposite. These garments must be designed to make you visible or at least not to conceal the garments design
to do so. If you take off your jacket, it is very important that you have a garment that still lives up to the safety levels needed
in your work.
#Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
Higher
demands
to achieve
.class 3.
Combination
certification
to achieve a
higher class.
Highest level
of reflective
strip.
Testing the
durability of
the material.
Demands
on the
material.
Water
vapourisation.
Garment
classes.
”The Basics of High-visibility garments”
www.berendsen.se
Differences
between
EN 471 &
EN ISO 20471
by BERENDSEN
The Basics of
High-visibility garments
Learn more of High-visibility clothing
201504 Ver 1.0
Updated
pictogram.
#The Basics of High-visibility garments
Max
amount of
washes.
Things to
consider!
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Pictogram &
labels.
#Differences between EN 471 and EN ISO 20471
www.berendsen.se
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