Does a reflective sticker comply with EN 17353:2020?
The answer is no!
why? the below is the reasons:
Based on the detailed requirements for Type B equipment under EN 17353:2020, it appears that reflective stickers alone may not suffice to meet the standard’s criteria. Here’s an analysis for each subtype:
Type B1 – Free Hanging Devices:
- Design and Size: The devices must be removable and have a minimum optical active area of 15 cm² per side and a maximum of 50 cm² per side.
- Visibility: To achieve 360° visibility, at least two devices must be used on the left and right sides of the torso.
- Attachment: The device should be flat, with a maximum thickness of 10 mm, and the attachment method must allow free movement to create a pendulum effect.
- Conclusion: A simple reflective sticker would not meet these requirements, as it needs to be a designed device with specific size and attachment characteristics.
Type B2 – Equipment for Limbs:
- Area and Placement: The retroreflective material must ensure 360° visibility and must encircle the limbs with a minimum width of 20 mm.
- Gaps: Any gaps in the material should not exceed 50 mm, and the total gaps around the limbs should not exceed 50 mm.
- Additional Elements: Separate retroreflective elements should have a minimum area of 25 cm² each.
- Conclusion: Reflective stickers would need to be large enough and designed to cover significant portions of the limbs, meeting the continuous coverage requirements.
Type B3 – Equipment for Torso or Torso and Limbs:
- Minimum Area: The retroreflective material must cover a minimum specified area as per Table 3.
- Placement: The material must encircle the torso with a minimum width of 20 mm or be placed to encircle the upper arms.
- Visibility: At least 40% of the required material must be on both the front and back, and 10% on the sides when laid flat.
- Gaps: Gaps should not exceed 50 mm in length and 100 mm around the torso.
- Additional Elements: Separate retroreflective elements must have a minimum area of 25 cm² each.
- Conclusion: Reflective stickers would not be sufficient to meet these extensive placement and size requirements. Comprehensive design involving larger retroreflective materials is necessary.
From the above analysis, we can see, that reflective stickers alone, especially if they are small and singular, cannot meet the stringent requirements of EN 17353:2020. The standard specifies detailed design, placement, and coverage criteria that go beyond what simple stickers can provide. Enhanced visibility equipment must incorporate larger and more strategically placed retroreflective materials to ensure compliance and effective visibility.