Highly visible
Standards EN471 and EN1150
The Retroreflective Equipment Manufacturers Association explains the two main standards for high visibility rider clothing: “There are two different Europe-wide testing and certification regimes for high visibility clothing but both require a combination of fluorescent material for daytime visibility and retroreflective material for night-time and low-light conditions. BS EN 1150 covers garments for purely private use, but BS EN471 sets more demanding minimum standards of visual performance and durability needed for high visibility clothing worn in the course of a trade or profession and is mandatory.”
For the majority of riders, clothing certified to reach EN1150 will be adequate, but bear in mind that the higher standard of EN471 is mandatory for professional use. This could include a riding instructor leading a hack or a horse dealer if that is your profession.
What is EN471?
Products that conform to this standard are mandatory for professional use and offer an excellent level of visibility for all. All products will carry a CE mark, which is an EC requirement. These products can be classified as ‘Personal Protective Equipment’ (PPE). EN471 is grouped into three classes based on the minimum quantities of fluorescent background and retro-reflective materials to be used.
This standard specifies the requirements for protective clothing aiming to signal the presence of the wearer visually in daylight as well as under illumination by headlights of cars. This is an important distinction as different materials react in different environments – for instance, a rider may be wearing a tabard made from fluorescent material only and although this does make them stand out in daylight, more than a dark jumper, when the light fades this material will no longer provide any improved visibility as lights cannot reflect off the material. Fluorescent material is bright and considered to be the background material of the high visibility clothing but retro-reflective material that reflects light emitted by a light source back to that source is the material that matters in fading light. Ultimately, the best protection is offered by a combination of the two.
What is EN1150 and what products need to be certified?
This standard is for non-professional use but still reaches a high standard and carries a CE mark, therefore it can also be classified as PPE. EN1150 is suitable for leisure activities such as riding, cycling and walking and offers adequate visibility in both poor light and bright daylight.
Products that must be certified to EN1150 are all items of clothing worn as PPE or perceived as a high visibility item. This includes jackets, waistcoats, tabards and legwear. All of these products are required to be independently tested and CE marked. If a product looks like it may improve the visbility of the wearer but it is not certified to show it has passed all of the tests then it is illegal for a retailer or manufacturer to sell that product and riders should not buy it.
Why do these standards exist?
These high visibility standards apply to products that make a claim to enhance the wearer’s safety. If a garment is sold as safety clothing, it must reach one of these two standards. The testing processes involved in these standards are extensive and ensure that both the design and the material are up to scratch. Not only does the correct amount of retroreflective and fluorescent material need to be on the garment, but it must also be of sufficient quality to last. There is no point having a product that reaches the standard at first, only to disintegrate upon washing.
What if products are not certified?
Some products are not certified to these standards and can therefore not be classified as personal protective equipment, or even high visibility. If a product is intended to offer any kind of protection or improved visibility when riding then the product must be compliant, regardless of whether it is actively marketed as hi-viz. To clarify: a luminous pink hat cover may be bright but it is not technically true fluorescent and its main purpose is decorative, not to improve safety. However a jacket that is fluorescent but does not have enough retro-reflective material, perhaps only a logo, is perceived by all as a high visibility product so it must be up to certified standard. With not enough reflective material, a product such as this would not pass the tests and therefore should not be sold.
There are many products out there that incorporate elements of hi-viz: for instance retro-reflective piping on a sleeve. When combined with other bright and high visibility items these can add to the overall visibility of a rider in a variety of conditions but improving visibility is not the main function of these products and they must not be sold as such. Horse owners and riders should be aware of the standards these products should reach, and if in doubt ask the retailer to show you the label with the CE mark, product information and whether it complies to EN1150 or EN471. Alternatively you could contact the manufacturer and they should be able to provide a testing certificate.
The fastest way is to check the label for a CE mark and the stated standard. If you are in doubt of the quality of the product ask for a certificate, by law the company must send you one on request. This will be from an approved testing house and will guarantee that the product is suitable as PPE. There are other signs to look out for too including retro-reflective tape that encircles both the arms and the torso, fluorescent material in pink, yellow, orange, green or red and a label on the garment that carries the CE mark, that the garment complies to BS EN1150, the name of the manufacturer, the type or model code for the garment, the size of the garment given as the height of the wearer and basic washing or care instructions. Compliant products must also be supplied with an information sheet.
What about items for the horse?
Rugs and other items for the horse are not subject to the same standards as rider products as PPE is only for humans. Horse hi-viz does not currently have any set standards and the range available includes, rugs, exercise sheets, headcollars, boots, gaiters and even hats for horses!
What about rider accessories?
There is also an accessories standard (EN13356 for non-professional use) that regulates the standard of items like hatbands and ankle bands. The same applies to this standard as the others – products that appear to be hi-viz to the rider and especially if sold specifically as hi-viz or PPE, must be certified and carry a CE mark. However, EN13356 only refers to the retro-reflective qualities of the product, not to the daytime conspicuity.
Do certified products cost more?
Not necessarily. Think about the standard hi-viz tabard bought from builders’ merchants and hardware stores – these are compliant to EN471 for professional use yet only cost a few pounds. The problem is that these items are not particularly attractive and discerning riders have high demands for style! Many of the high visibility products on the market in the equestrian field combine a high standard of visibility with stylish and practical design that accommodates the horse rider. Features such as two way zips, storm flaps, rear vents and mobile phone pockets put jackets and gilets a cut above the builders’ standard. Waistcoats and tabards also feature more stylish touches to appeal to riders.
Some products claim to be manufactured from certified material – are these up to standard?
No they are not. A product made from EN1150 fabric may still not be certified. The standards and resulting CE mark indicate the whole garment has been tested, including the fluorescent materials, retro-reflective materials and the overall design of the garment.
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