EN 17353 - Improved visibility in medium risk environments 

EN 17353:2020 is a European standard that defines requirements for clothing and equipment designed to enhance the visibility of individuals in medium-risk environments. It is intended for situations where enhanced visibility is needed, but not at the level required for high-risk work. This includes being visible in daylight and/or darkness, especially when illuminated by vehicle headlights or searchlights.  

The standard applies to both professional and non-professional use, and includes three types of garments depending on the conditions of use.

 

Three types of EN 17353

Type A For visibility in daylight   
Type B2 B3 For visibility in low light or darkness when illuminated   
Type AB2 AB3 Combined visibility for both daylight and darkness  
EN17353

Unlike EN ISO 20471, which is mandatory for high-visibility clothing in professional high-risk settings (e.g., road construction), EN 17353 is suitable for medium-risk environments. The choice between the two standards depends on factors such as vehicle speed, traffic density, weather, background contrast, and importantly, the type of road user.

More passive road users (e.g. workers near roads) and higher vehicle speeds generally require EN ISO 20471. In contrast, active road users in controlled environments with lower speeds may be sufficiently protected with EN 17353. A thorough risk assessment should determine which standard applies in each case.   

At Tranemo, we are continuously developing our product range to meet evolving safety needs – and that includes enhanced visibility in medium-risk environments. Our first collection to adapt to the EN 17353 standard will be Cantex WS visible range, and more product lines will follow. 

Our approach ensures that garments marketed as "visible" meet the appropriate certification – either EN ISO 20471 for high-risk or EN 17353 for medium-risk environments. In that way, our customers can trust that their protective clothing provides the right level of visibility for the job – no more, no less.