These are the twenty questions we hear most often about EN 17353, from buyers, designers, importers and parents, answered briefly and based on EN 17353:2020+A1:2025. Follow the links in our other guides for the details.
Scope and basics
1. What is EN 17353?
The European standard for enhanced visibility equipment, meaning garments and devices that make the wearer visible in medium-risk situations, in daylight and/or under headlights in the dark. Its full title is “Protective clothing – Enhanced visibility equipment for medium risk situations – Test methods and requirements”.
2. What is the current edition?
EN 17353:2020+A1:2025. Amendment A1 was approved by CEN in March 2025 and mainly clarified Types AB2 and AB3.
3. What does “medium risk” mean?
Situations such as cycling, running, walking on roads, and work or leisure near traffic travelling up to about 60 km/h. High-risk occupational situations near faster traffic belong to EN ISO 20471.
4. What did EN 17353 replace?
EN 1150 (visibility clothing for non-professional use) and EN 13356 (visibility accessories). Both are withdrawn, and declarations based on them have no longer been valid since August 2023.
5. What is not covered?
High-risk high-visibility clothing, items specifically for the head, hands and feet such as helmets, gloves and shoes, products with active lighting such as LEDs, and purely decorative low-risk visibility.
Types
6. What are the types?
A (daylight, fluorescent), B (dark, retroreflective: B1 hanging devices, B2 limbs, B3 torso) and AB (day and night: AB2 with limb reflective, AB3 with torso reflective).
7. How do I choose a type?
Ask two questions. When is the product used (day, night or both)? Where is the reflective material (hanging, on the limbs, or on the torso)?
8. Is there a Type AB1?
No. Hanging reflectors are Type B1 only.
Areas and design
9. What are the minimum areas for vests?
For users above 140 cm: 0.24 m² fluorescent and 0.08 m² retroreflective (AB3). Up to 140 cm: 0.14 m² and 0.06 m². B2 needs 0.018 m² and a B1 reflector 0.003 m², regardless of height.
10. Which sizes count as children’s sizes?
Sizes for users up to 140 cm. Any size range that includes 140 cm must meet the adult values.
11. What is the 40/10 rule?
For visibility from all sides, at least 40% of the minimum required area must be on the front and on the back, and at least 10% on each side, measured flat.
12. Does the standard fix the garment’s dimensions?
No. It specifies material areas and their placement, not the length or width of the garment.
13. Can I add a logo?
Yes, but covered areas do not count, and printing on retroreflective material reduces performance. The remaining area must still meet the minimum.
Materials and testing
14. Which colours are allowed?
Seven fluorescent colours: yellow-green, yellow, yellow-orange, orange, orange-red, red and pink. Each has its own colour box and minimum luminance factor.
15. How bright must the reflective tape be?
Separate-performance material must reach at least 330 cd/(lx·m²) at 12′/5° when new, and stay above 100 after abrasion, cold, temperature cycling, rain and washing. Combined fluorescent-reflective material must reach 65 new and 30 after exposure.
16. How many washes are tested?
The number claimed on the label, or five if no number is claimed. The label must reflect the least durable visibility component.
Certification and marking
17. Is EN 17353 mandatory?
Products sold as PPE that signal the wearer’s presence must meet the EU PPE Regulation. EN 17353 is the harmonised standard that gives presumption of conformity for medium-risk visibility products.
18. Who certifies EN 17353 products?
A notified body carries out EU type-examination, because these products are Category II PPE. The manufacturer then issues the EU Declaration of Conformity and applies the CE mark.
19. What must be on the label?
For garments, the EN ISO 13688 marking. For devices, the manufacturer’s name and address, the standard number and year, and the type. Every product carries the daylight, dark, or day-and-dark pictogram, plus the maximum wash count where claimed.
20. Why must reflectors and arm bands be used in pairs?
One device is hidden by the body from the other side. The instructions must tell users to wear at least two, one on each side.
Conclusion
Most EN 17353 questions come back to three things: choose the right type for the conditions, meet the area and placement numbers on the smallest size, and support the product with certification, marking and clear instructions. If you have a question we have not answered here, contact us. We work with these requirements every day.
This article provides general information, not a product-specific conformity assessment or legal opinion. Consult the current standard and the responsible notified body.