EN ISO 20471 is the successor to EN 471, which very clearly stated in its scope that it concerned professional use.
EN 17353 is the replacement for both EN 1150 and EN 13356. The scope of these standards was at that time non‑professional use, in practice athletes and children.
In the current versions of these standards, the explicit indication professional/non‑professional has disappeared. The distinction now made is active/passive road user.
A passive road user is understood to mean: someone who is on or alongside the road and is at risk from passing traffic, but who does not actively participate in that traffic. A very clear example is a road worker who, because of his activity, cannot pay attention to the traffic.
The active road user, on the other hand, participates in traffic and can pay attention to it. This includes athletes and children cycling to school.
The most noticeable differences between both standards
EN ISO 20471
- high visibility
- garments only
- fluo + reflective material required
- 3 colours
- mainly passive road users
EN 17353
- enhanced visibility
- garments and accessoires, including childrens clothing
- choice fluo and/or reflective
- 7 colours
- mainly active road users
It is important to know: the European Regulation EU 2016/425 does not apply to clothing for private use with reflective or fluorescent elements that are intended solely for decorative purposes. However, if as a manufacturer you claim that the product has a protective function and offer it as PPE, then it must comply.
Moreover, if the information on or around the product shows that the product is intended to increase visibility, you as a manufacturer cannot escape your obligations, even with a warning that the product is not intended for use as PPE.
This article gives the main outlines.
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For readability I have omitted the years. At the time of publication, the current versions are EN ISO 20471:2013+A1:2016 and EN 17353:2020.