EN 17353 Type B2 covers retroreflective equipment worn on the limbs only: arm bands, leg bands, slap wraps, and garments whose only reflective material is on the sleeves or trouser legs. B2 products are designed for movement recognition in the dark. The swinging of arms and legs is what catches a driver’s eye.
B2 looks like the simplest class to build, but it has its own measurement and wearing rules. This guide explains them, based on EN 17353:2020+A1:2025, and draws on our own experience certifying slap wraps and elastic arm bands as Type B2.
Type B2 requirements at a glance
| Point | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Where the material sits | On the limbs only: arms and/or legs |
| Lighting condition | Dark conditions, under vehicle headlights |
| Minimum retroreflective area | 0.018 m² (180 cm²); for devices, the total of two devices measured flat |
| Children and adults | Same requirement; the 140 cm height split does not apply to B2 |
| Band width | At least 20 mm, encircling the limb |
| Gaps | No single gap over 50 mm; total gaps around a limb no more than 50 mm |
| Offsets | Allowed up to the material width plus 5 mm |
| Extra reflective elements | Each at least 25 cm² |
| Wearing | At least two devices, one on each side, for visibility from all sides |
1. What counts as Type B2
EN 17353 splits Type B (dark conditions, retroreflective material only) into three levels. B1 is free-hanging devices, B3 is material on the torso, and B2 sits in between: material placed on the limbs only, either as a removable device or permanently built into a garment.
Typical B2 products:
- Slap wraps (snap bands) and elastic arm or ankle bands.
- Hook-and-loop reflective straps for trouser legs.
- Long-sleeve tops with reflective bands on the sleeves only.
- Trousers with reflective bands around the lower legs only.
As soon as retroreflective material is placed on the torso, the product moves towards Type B3, which has different area and distribution rules.
2. The 0.018 m² rule, explained
A B2 product must carry at least 0.018 m² of retroreflective material, which is 180 cm². For devices, this is the combined area of two devices measured flat. Two slap wraps of 3 × 30 cm each reach exactly 180 cm².
The figure is the same for children’s and adults’ products. The 140 cm height threshold in EN 17353 applies to Types A, B3, AB2 and AB3, not to B1 or B2.
When a B2 garment covers both arms and legs and carries reflective material on both, each pair of limbs needs its own 0.018 m², so the upper limbs and the lower limbs each have to reach the full value.
3. Encircling, gaps and offsets
Movement recognition only works if the band can be seen from every direction. EN 17353 therefore asks for retroreflective material at least 20 mm wide that encircles each limb.
Real products have closures, so the standard allows small gaps:
- No single gap in the lengthwise continuity may exceed 50 mm.
- All gaps around one limb may add up to no more than 50 mm.
- Where the band is offset rather than continuous, the offset may not exceed the width of the material plus 5 mm.
For a hook-and-loop arm band, check the overlap area when the band is closed on the smallest arm it is designed for. If the fastening leaves a non-reflective section longer than 50 mm, the product fails.
4. Why B2 products are sold in pairs
A single band on one arm is hidden by the body when a car approaches from the other side. EN 17353 therefore requires the user information to state that at least two B2 devices must be used to achieve visibility from all sides.
In practice, most brands pack B2 bands in pairs, and the instructions explain how to wear them: one on each arm, or one on each ankle. Ankle and wrist positions add the most movement, which is exactly what the class is designed for.
Note: the published standard text for the B2 user-information sentence mentions the “left and right side of the torso”, mirroring the B1 wording. Because B2 is limb equipment by definition, many manufacturers keep the standard sentence and add practical limb-wearing guidance. Agree the exact wording with your notified body.
5. Material performance and durability
The retroreflective material on B2 equipment must meet the photometric table for separate-performance material, at least 330 cd/(lx·m²) at 12′ observation and 5° entrance angle when new. After abrasion, cold folding, temperature cycling and rainfall it must still exceed 100 cd/(lx·m²). Garments are also tested after the claimed number of washes, or after five washes if no number is claimed.
Slap wraps are usually made from PVC or TPU retroreflective film around a steel spring band. Pay attention to cold folding at −20 °C, because some soft films crack.
6. Marking
B2 devices are marked with the manufacturer’s name and address, the standard number and year, and the type, together with the dark-conditions pictogram. If the device is too small, the marking may go on an attached label or the smallest packaging unit. It is better on the product, because packaging is thrown away.
Type B2 checklist
- Reflective material on the limbs only.
- Two devices together reach at least 180 cm², measured flat.
- Band at least 20 mm wide, encircling the limb.
- Gaps no more than 50 mm each and 50 mm in total per limb.
- Extra reflective elements each at least 25 cm².
- Material test data, new and after exposure, for the actual film used.
- Pictogram, Type B2 marking, and pair-wearing instructions.
FAQ
Is a single slap wrap compliant?
A single band can be sold, but the instructions must say that at least two are needed for visibility from all sides. Most buyers prefer pairs.
Can a B2 band be printed with a logo?
Yes, but printed areas on retroreflective material lose performance and testing is based on the lowest-performing segment. Keep enough unprinted area to stay above 180 cm².
Does a reflective sticker count as B2?
Usually not. A flat sticker neither encircles a limb nor hangs freely, so it rarely fits any EN 17353 type.
Conclusion
EN 17353 Type B2 is about simple, honest movement visibility: at least 180 cm² of good retroreflective material, wrapped all the way around the limbs, worn in pairs. Get the closure gaps and the instructions right, and B2 is one of the most cost-effective certified visibility products on the market.
This article provides general technical information, not a product-specific conformity assessment or legal opinion. Consult the current standard and the responsible laboratory or conformity-assessment body for the actual product and intended use.