Visible and detectable clothing: a guide to EN 20471 and EN 17353 standards and AI innovations

Visibility is a key element of safety , whether you're an urban cyclist, delivery driver, or outdoor professional . At Urban Circus , we design clothing that combines style, comfort, and performance , with a dedicated SAFETYWEAR range that meets European visibility standards or pushes the boundaries of safety thanks to AI-powered detection innovation .

But be careful: not all standards are created equal. Here's a clear guide to understanding the difference between EN ISO 20471 (high visibility) and EN 17353 (enhanced visibility), and to choosing the garment best suited to your needs.

EN ISO 20471: the standard for professional high visibility

The EN ISO 20471 standard applies to high-visibility signaling clothing intended for high-risk environments (construction sites, roads, heavy traffic).
It ensures that the wearer is visible day and night , thanks to minimal areas of fluorescent fabric and well-positioned retroreflective strips .

The 3 visibility classes:

• Class 1 : minimal visibility (low traffic areas).

• Class 2 : intermediate visibility, ideal for urban cycling to work or delivery .

• Class 3 : maximum visibility, for high-risk areas (roads, construction sites, interventions).

💡 To discover:
👉Our WORKWEAR RESISTANT t-shirts are EN 20471 certified
Comfortable, breathable and robust, they ensure optimal visibility while remaining pleasant to wear every day.

🛠 Note: Our design office collaborates with professionals to design custom, innovative equipment adapted to field constraints and able to comply with the standards applicable to their specific use .

👉 Contact us to discuss your professional equipment project

EN 17353: Improved visibility for everyday life

The EN 17353 standard defines clothing with enhanced visibility , intended for intermediate uses : urban cycling, leisure, light logistics…
They do not fall under the regulatory “high visibility” category , but significantly improve the visual detection of the wearer.

The main types:

• Type A : daytime visibility (fluorescent materials).

• Type B : night visibility (retro-reflective).

• Type AB : day and night visibility.

  • AB3 corresponds to the highest performance level in this category.

Concrete example: the REPOP Winter jacket

👉 Discover the Winter REPOP

• Certified EN 17353 Type AB3

• Fluorescent and reflective for visibility day and night

• Reversible , warm and ergonomic , designed for winter cycling to work

• Designed to offer uncompromising safety and style

The REPOP WINTER perfectly illustrates the philosophy of the Safetywear Urban Circus range: making visibility desirable on a daily basis.

AI-powered safetywear: the visibility of tomorrow

Beyond certifications, our Safetywear range explores new visual detection technologies.
These products are not certified to EN 17353 or EN 20471 , but have been tested with our partner Continental to prove their detectability by driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles .

🎥 Discover the demonstration in real-world conditions:
➡️ YouTube Video – AI Detectability with Continental

This innovation paves the way for a new generation of smart clothing , designed for urban mobility and applicable to professional environments.

How to choose your high-visibility clothing

Maintenance tips

To preserve the performance of the materials:

• Wash at 30°C , without fabric softener, inside out.

• Avoid using a hot tumble dryer and air dry.

• Check the condition of the reflectors regularly.

In summary

• Clothing compliantwith EN 20471 = high professional visibility

• EN 17353 clothing = improved visibility for everyday wear

• TheAI-detectable range = innovation detectable by driver assistance systems

👉 Discover all our Safetywear Urban Circus products
and find the garment that makes you visible – or detectable – comfortable and stylish , day, night, or both.