ANSI/ISEA 107 vs EN ISO 20471: Which Hi-Vis Standard Applies to You?
The short answer
ANSI/ISEA 107 is the American standard and EN ISO 20471 is the European and British one. They are not interchangeable. EN ISO 20471 divides garments into Classes 1, 2 and 3 by the minimum area of fluorescent background and retro-reflective material; ANSI/ISEA 107 divides them by garment type (Type O, R and P) and performance class. If you supply both markets, the practical answer is a dual-certified garment.
The mistake that costs money is assuming that a "Class 2" garment meeting one standard can be shipped against a contract written around the other.
Last updated: September 2026.
Key takeaways
- EN ISO 20471 Classes 1–3 are area-based: more fluorescent and reflective material means a higher class.
- ANSI/ISEA 107 uses types plus classes, with Type O for off-road, Type R for roadway and Type P for public safety.
- Neither standard recognises the other's marking. A garment needs the correct marking for the market it is sold into.
- Dual certification is common and inexpensive when designed in from the start, and expensive to retrofit.
- Retro-reflective tape must itself be certified, not just the finished garment.
1. Standard vs use case vs purchasing notes
| Standard | Where it applies | Typical use case | What to check when buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN ISO 20471 Class 1 | EU, UK, EFTA | Low-risk, off-road, visitors, short exposure | Minimum area thresholds met, correct marking, 25-wash performance retained |
| EN ISO 20471 Class 2 | EU, UK, EFTA | Road works, logistics, construction near traffic | Tape width and configuration, sleeve coverage, class on the label |
| EN ISO 20471 Class 3 | EU, UK, EFTA | High-speed traffic, poor visibility, night work | Full coverage including sleeves, dual certification if supplying the US |
| ANSI/ISEA 107 Type O | United States, off-road | Mining, warehouses, non-roadway sites | Class 1 only, not suitable for roadway work |
| ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R | United States, roadway | Highway construction, utilities, delivery | Class 2 or 3 chosen by traffic speed and exposure |
| ANSI/ISEA 107 Type P | United States, public safety | Police, fire, EMS | Specific requirements for public safety work |
2. EN ISO 20471 classes by area
| Class | Minimum fluorescent background | Minimum retro-reflective area | Typical garment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0.14 m² | 0.10 m² | Simple vest, light duty |
| Class 2 | 0.50 m² | 0.13 m² | Standard vest or taped polo |
| Class 3 | 0.80 m² | 0.20 m² | Jacket or coverall with sleeves |
This is why a Class 3 garment almost always has sleeves: the additional area has to exist somewhere, and a sleeveless vest cannot reach the Class 3 threshold.
3. How the two systems line up in practice
| Requirement | EN ISO 20471 | ANSI/ISEA 107 |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of classification | Area of fluorescent and reflective material | Garment type plus performance class |
| Off-road, low risk | Class 1 | Type O Class 1 |
| Roadway, moderate risk | Class 2 | Type R Class 2 |
| Roadway, high risk or night | Class 3 | Type R Class 3 |
| Public safety | Covered by national practice | Type P |
| Wash performance | Retained after the specified cycles | Retained after the specified cycles |
| Marking on the garment | Standard, class and manufacturer | Standard, type, class and manufacturer |
Practical equivalence: Type R Class 2 is broadly comparable to EN ISO 20471 Class 2, and Type R Class 3 to Class 3, but the test methods and marking differ. A compliance officer checks the marking, not the resemblance.
4. What to specify on a purchase order
| Item | Specification to write | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard and class | "EN ISO 20471 Class 2" or "ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 2" | Removes ambiguity about which standard applies |
| Tape | Certified tape, width and configuration, in centimetres or inches | Tape grade drives performance and price |
| Wash performance | Retained after 25 wash cycles at the specified temperature | Fading tape is the most common failure |
| Area check | Confirm the design meets the class before sampling | Retrofitting area after sampling costs a full re-test |
| Marking | Standard, class, manufacturer and care label | Customs and safety officers inspect labels |
| Dual certification | Both markings and both test reports | Required if you sell into both markets |
5. Frequently asked questions
Is ANSI/ISEA 107 the same as EN ISO 20471?
No. They are separate standards with different classification systems and test methods. Many garments are certified to both, and the marking on the garment tells you which standard it actually meets.
What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?
Class 3 requires more fluorescent and reflective area, which usually means sleeves or full-body coverage. A sleeveless vest normally cannot meet Class 3 under EN ISO 20471.
Can I use a European Class 2 vest in the United States?
Not for a contract that requires ANSI/ISEA 107. The garment must carry the correct marking for the jurisdiction, so specify dual certification if you supply both markets.
How many washes must hi-vis clothing survive?
Both standards require the garment to retain its performance after the specified number of domestic wash cycles, commonly 25. The test report should show after-wash results, not only initial readings.
Does the tape need its own certificate?
Yes. Retro-reflective tape is tested separately, and the finished garment is then tested with that tape. Ask for both documents, otherwise the compliance chain has a gap.
Why is a dual-certified garment more expensive?
It requires two test programmes and usually a design that satisfies both sets of requirements, which can mean slightly more tape or a different configuration.
Get the right class quoted for your market
Tell us the destination market and the work environment, and we will quote the correct class with the certification and test reports named in the quotation, including dual certification where you supply both the EU and the US.
