The high-visibility safety clothing must comply with the European Standard for visibility clothing EN471: 2003, Class I, Class II and Class III.
Garments are classified according to the visibility they provide. Each class specifies the minimum quantity of base material and retro-reflective material to use.
Countries requiring the presence of high-visibility warning vests in vehicles are:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Italy and Spain (Spain requires every occupant of the vehicle has potential access to its vest, which must be kept on board the vehicle).
Countries recommending the wearing of warning jackets are: Norway and Portugal.
Standards of safety clothing Class I
Wearing these clothes is enough on private road. High-visibility trousers fall into this category if they are mismatched with a jacket or a safety vest. The minimum surface base material is 0.14 m², the minimum area of retro reflective material is 0.10 m².
Standards of safety clothing class II
Wearing these clothes is suitable for roads open to public traffic. The minimum surface base material is 0.5m²; the minimum area of retro reflective material is 0.2 m².
Standards of safety clothing class III
Wearing these clothes is required on motorways, dual-channel or airport areas. The minimum area of base material is 0.8 m², the minimum area of retro reflective material is 0.2 m².
This information is for guidance only. Always make sure your visibility clothing is appropriate in any given situation.