The
European Union (EU) has published a new standard for protective clothing
designed to give the wearers enhanced visibility in medium risk situations.
The
new standard – EN 17353:2020 – Protective clothing –
Enhanced visibility equipment for medium risk situations – Test methods and
requirements – replaces two standards:
- EN
1150:1999 – Protective clothing – Visibility clothing for non-professional use
– Test methods and requirements - EN
13356:2001 – Visibility accessories for non-professional use – Test methods and
requirements
[if !supportLists]
EN
17353:2020 contains elements from both standards.
The
principal difference is that products within the scope of the standard are no
longer considered from the aspect of use. Instead, the standard considers their
suitability in terms of providing protection in medium risk situations.
Examples
of medium risk situations include:
- Working
with slow-moving vehicles - Jogging/cycling
on roads with lower traffic speeds
[if !supportLists]
The
standard applies to all visibility clothing and devices worn in these situations.
The
standard includes:
- Minimum
amounts of materials required to enhance visibility - Design
requirements for products based on foreseeable conditions of use, per product
type:- Type
A – where risk of not being seen only exists in daylight conditions; uses only
fluorescent materials - Type
B – where risk of not being seen only exist in dark conditions; uses only
retroreflective materials:- Type B1 – free
hanging retroreflective devices - Type B2 –
retroreflective devices temporarily or permanently placed on limbs only - Type B3 –
retroreflective material placed on torso or torso and limbs
- Type B1 – free
- Type
AB – where risk of not being seen exists in daylight, twilight and dark
conditions; uses fluorescent and retroreflective materials or combined
performance materials
- Type
[if !supportLists]
The
standard does not apply to:
- High
visibility equipment in high-risk situations (covered in EN ISO 20471) - Visibility
equipment specifically intended for the head, hands and feet - Equipment
integrating active lighting, e.g., LEDs - Visibility
for low-risk situations
[if !supportLists]
Products
covered under the scope of EN 17353:2020 are considered as Category II Personal
Protective Equipment according to (EU) 2016/425 and therefore must carry the CE
Mark. This requires an EU Notified Body to undertake CE compliance assessment.
SGS Softlines
Services
SGS has a worldwide network of over 40
state-of-the-art laboratories, including 10 in China, specializing in testing
of apparel, footwear, and home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from
multi-disciplinary backgrounds, allowing them to carry out a comprehensive
range of physical, chemical, and functional testing services for components,
materials and finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality,
performance, and compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory
standards worldwide. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.
SGS
SafeGuardS
keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods
industry. Read the full EN 17353:2020
Released for Protective Clothing – Enhanced Visibility Equipment for Medium
Risk Situations
SafeGuardS.
Subscribe
here to receive SGS SafeGuardS
direct to your inbox.
For
further information contact:
Louann
Spirito
Consumer
and Retail – Softlines
US
& Canada Softlines Business Head
Tel:
+1 973 461 7919
Email:
crs.media@sgs.com
Website:
www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn:
sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About
SGS
We
are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We
are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 89,000
employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together
to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.