Is EN ISO 20471 the same as ANSI 107?

No. They are different standards with different area requirements and testing; a garment is usually certified to one or the other, and dual certification is possible but must be stated on the label.

What does A1 B1 C1 mean?

It is the EN ISO 11612 performance code: A1 limited flame spread, B1 convective heat, C1 radiant heat.

Do I need CE marking for the US?

No, CE marking is for the European Economic Area; US buyers cite ANSI/ISEA and NFPA standards instead.

EN ISO 20471 & 11612 – European Hi-Vis and FR Standards

Selling into the UK, EU, Middle East or Australia often means citing EN standards rather than ANSI. The three you will meet most in workwear are EN ISO 20471 for high visibility, EN ISO 11612 for heat and flame, and EN 343 for rain.

This guide explains the class and code systems so your product pages, labels and quotations match what European buyers expect.

EN ISO 20471: high-visibility clothing

EN ISO 20471 uses three classes based on the area of visible fluorescent material and retroreflective material. Class 3 is the highest and is typically required for high-speed roads and poor visibility.

Class	Visible background	Retroreflective material	Typical use
Class 1	0.14 m²	0.10 m²	Low-risk, low-speed environments
Class 2	0.50 m²	0.13 m²	Road works, general site work
Class 3	0.80 m²	0.20 m²	High-speed roads, night work, poor visibility

EN ISO 11612: heat and flame protection

EN ISO 11612 covers clothing protecting against heat and flame, excluding welding (which uses EN ISO 11611). Performance is communicated through a code: A for limited flame spread, B for convective heat, C for radiant heat, D for molten aluminium, E for molten iron and F for contact heat.

A typical garment label might read 'EN ISO 11612 A1 B1 C1' – check the codes against the hazard, not just the standard name.

EN 343: rain protection

EN 343 rates waterproofness and breathability with two digits, each from 1 to 3. The first digit is waterproofness (3 requires at least 8,000 mm hydrostatic head) and the second is breathability. A 3:1 garment is fully waterproof with basic breathability; 3:3 adds high breathability.

EN ISO 11611: welding

EN ISO 11611 defines two classes of welding clothing. Class 1 covers light welding with lower spatter and radiant heat; Class 2 covers heavier welding with higher exposure. Garments are tested for flame spread, heat transfer and molten droplet resistance.

CE marking and documentation

PPE sold in the EU must carry CE marking and an EU type-examination certificate.
The declaration of conformity and test reports should be available to your customer.
Labels must show the standard, class or codes, care instructions and manufacturer details.
Brexit: UKCA marking applies in Great Britain, with CE recognition continuing in many cases; check current guidance.

Need this checked against your order? Send the standard, class and garment type — we will confirm the fabric, tape and labeling before production.

EN ISO 20471 and EN ISO 11612 Guide