In 2025, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published an important update to the medium‑risk visibility standard: EN 17353:2020 +A1:2025. This revised standard provides clear test methods and performance requirements for enhanced visibility equipment designed for medium‑risk situations, bridging the gap between casual reflective accessories and high‑visibility protective clothing covered under EN ISO 20471. What Is EN 17353:2020 +A1:2025? EN 17353:2020 +A1:2025 is […]
Enhanced visibility products certified under EN 17353:2020 are widely used in medium-risk environments where workers or road users need to be recognized under daylight, twilight, or dark conditions.Among all product types in the standard, Type B2 (equipment for limbs) is one of the most common categories for manufacturers producing reflective trousers, armbands, or products where […]
Factories that manufacture safety vests often confuse EN17353 and EN20471. The wrong standard can result in product rejections, safety failures, and legal compliance issues. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to comply with EN17353 for your safety vests — and how it compares to other regulations like EN20471. EN17353:2020 is a European standard […]
If you work with reflective safety gear, you’ve probably seen the terms EN ISO 20471 and EN 17353 on product labels. Both are European safety standards that help people stay visible, but they serve very different purposes. This post breaks down what each standard means, who should use them, and how to choose the right […]
In a surprising turn of events, several popular Reflective Cross Belt Vests are being pulled from the market in Sweden after failing to meet safety standards. The Swedish Consumer Agency has flagged these products for not providing adequate visibility in traffic, posing a serious risk of accidents and injuries. If you own one of these […]
1. What is EU type – examination? EU type – examination is a crucial part of the conformity assessment procedure for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It involves a notified body carefully examining the technical design of PPE. The main goal is to verify and attest that the technical design of the PPE meets the requirements […]
Road safety has long been an important area of focus in Europe, particularly in relation to the availability of visibility equipment that can keep pedestrians and cyclists safe in low-light conditions. EN17353:2020 Type B1 and Type B2 reflective products must be marketed in pairs at least, as demanded by European standard EN17353, a requirement based […]
The reflective products industry has seen significant advancements in safety and visibility technologies over the years. Two of the leading names in this field are Reflexite and ORALITE, but what exactly is the relationship between them? Founded in 1963, Reflexite became a pioneer in the development of high-performance reflective materials using microprismatic technology. Their products […]
For businesses or individuals looking to create user manuals for reflective hangers, here are the official usage instructions in both Finnish and Swedish. Feel free to use these as a reference when writing or updating your own product manuals. Finnish Instructions: Heijastimen Käyttöohje Heijastinta tulisi käyttää hämärässä ja pimeän aikaan. Sen tulisi roikkua ja liikkua […]
The EN 17353 standard significantly improves visibility in various conditions by establishing specific requirements for enhanced visibility clothing and devices designed for medium-risk situations. Here’s how it achieves this: Key Features of EN 17353 Types of Visibility Equipment: EN 17353 categorizes visibility equipment into three types, each tailored for different lighting conditions: Type A: Designed for use […]