If you’ve ever wondered why one hi-vis vest costs more than another, the answer is usually its class. High-visibility clothing sold in the UK is certified to the standard EN ISO 20471, which sorts garments into three classes based on how much fluorescent and reflective material they carry. Here’s what that means in plain English.

What EN ISO 20471 measures

The standard sets a minimum area of two things: fluorescent background fabric (the bright yellow or orange that stands out by day) and retroreflective tape (the silver bands that light up under headlights at night). The more of each a garment has, the higher its class and the more visible you are.

The three classes at a glance

Which class do you actually need?

There is no fixed legal table that maps a job to a class — UK law requires a risk assessment of the specific hazards a worker faces. That said, industry practice is a helpful starting point:

• Class 1 — lower-risk, off-road environments: warehouse yards, car parks, some delivery work. Often trousers or a light vest.
• Class 2 — intermediate risk: A-roads, railways, airports, and general site work where vehicles move at moderate speed. A hi-vis polo or vest to Class 2 is the common choice.
• Class 3 — highest risk: motorways and high-speed roads, and any work in poor light or at night. Achieved with a full-sleeved jacket, or a garment combination (e.g. hi-vis trousers worn with a Class 2 top).

Key rule: to reach Class 3 the sleeves usually need reflective banding, so a sleeveless vest alone rarely qualifies. Always let the risk assessment — not habit — decide.

How long does hi-vis last?

Hi-vis has a working life. Fluorescent fabric fades with UV exposure and washing, and reflective tape degrades over time. Replace any garment that looks dull, is heavily stained, or whose tape is cracked — a faded vest no longer performs to its class.

Branding hi-vis without breaking the standard

You can add a company logo to hi-vis, but placement matters: adding print over the reflective tape or fluorescent area can reduce the certified visible area. Keep logos to the approved chest and back panels. Because hi-vis is heat-sensitive, it’s printed rather than embroidered. At The Uniform Hub, logo setup is free with no minimum order, and we’ll place your branding so it looks sharp without compromising visibility.

Shop hi-vis by job

Browse all Hi-Vis, or shop by trade in Construction & Trades and Warehouse & Logistics — all with free logo setup and fast UK delivery.

This guide is general information, not a substitute for a workplace risk assessment. Always confirm the class your task requires.