Hi Vis Vest Standards for Custom Orders

Short answer: a custom hi vis vest can be built to ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Type R or Type P Class 2 for North America, or to EN ISO 20471 Class 1 or Class 2 for Europe and the UK. A sleeveless vest cannot reach Class 3 under either standard. Logos are allowed as long as the vest still meets the minimum visible fluorescent and reflective areas and the logo does not cover the reflective tape.

ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 (USA)

ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 is the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel. It sorts garments by Type (where they are worn) and Class (how much visible material they carry):

• Type O (off-road) – Class 1 only, for workers not exposed to traffic.
• Type R (roadway) – Class 2 or 3, for workers exposed to traffic and construction equipment. Most custom hi vis vests are Type R Class 2.
• Type P (public safety) – Class 2 or 3, for emergency and law-enforcement users; allows breakaway designs and shorter cuts for duty belts.

US federal rule 23 CFR 634 requires workers on federal-aid highways who are exposed to traffic or construction equipment to wear ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or Class 3 apparel, which is why road and traffic buyers usually ask for Type R Class 2 vests.

EN ISO 20471 (Europe, UK)

EN ISO 20471:2013 + A1:2016 sets the requirements for high-visibility clothing used in professional situations in Europe, and is the standard behind CE and UKCA marking of hi-vis workwear (PPE Category II).

Retroreflective bands must be at least 50 mm wide. The class is assessed on the smallest size in the range, so a vest that passes in XL may fail in S if the logo or the cut takes away too much fluorescent area.

Why a vest can’t be Class 3

Both standards require Class 3 garments to cover the torso and have sleeves with reflective bands (or full-length legs). A sleeveless vest therefore stops at Class 2. For Class 3 under ANSI, combine a Class 2 vest with Class E trousers, or use a sleeved shirt or jacket. More detail: Class 2 vs Class 3 custom hi vis vests.

Colours that count as hi-vis

ANSI/ISEA 107 accepts fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red and fluorescent red as background colours; EN ISO 20471 accepts fluorescent yellow, orange-red and red. Blue, black, green or pink vests can carry reflective tape, but they are not certified hi-vis garments. See custom hi vis vest colours.

Logos and compliance

• Logos and lettering must not cover the retroreflective bands.
• The area covered by a logo cannot be counted as fluorescent background, so the vest must still meet the class minimum with the logo applied.
• Check the smallest size in your order, not the sample size.
• Ask for a test report that matches the exact fabric, tape and design you are buying.

Full guide: Does a logo make a hi vis vest non-compliant?

Other standards we are asked about

• EN 17353:2020 – enhanced visibility equipment for medium-risk, non-professional situations (cyclists, runners, school groups, events). Yolite holds EN 17353 certificates; this is not a substitute for EN ISO 20471 at work.
• CSA Z96 – the Canadian standard, which also sets an “X” pattern on the back for some classes.
• AS/NZS 4602.1 – Australia and New Zealand, with day/night (D/N) classes.