ANSI/ISEA 107 is the primary standard governing high-visibility safety apparel in the United States and is widely recognized across North America. It defines performance requirements for visibility, color, reflective materials, and garment design to help reduce accidents in high-risk work environments.
As work conditions, materials, and safety expectations evolve, the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard is periodically updated. Understanding the latest changes is essential for employers, importers, and distributors to ensure compliance and provide effective protection for workers.
This article highlights the most important updates to ANSI/ISEA 107 and explains what they mean for high-visibility clothing selection and compliance.
What Is ANSI/ISEA 107?
ANSI/ISEA 107 is a consensus standard developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). It establishes design, performance, and use requirements for high-visibility safety apparel intended to improve worker visibility in hazardous environments.
Industries commonly affected include:
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Road construction and traffic control
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Utilities and telecommunications
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Warehousing and logistics
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Manufacturing and industrial operations
Key Updates to ANSI/ISEA 107 High-Visibility Clothing
1. Clarified Performance Requirements for Materials
The updated standard places greater emphasis on the performance of:
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Background (fluorescent) materials
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Retroreflective and combined-performance materials
Testing and performance criteria are clarified to ensure consistent visibility under both daylight and low-light conditions. This helps reduce confusion in product classification and improves real-world safety performance.
2. Updated Garment Design and Configuration Guidance
ANSI/ISEA 107 continues to define three performance classes (Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3), but recent updates provide clearer guidance on:
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Minimum visible material areas
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Placement of reflective tape
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Garment configurations for complex designs, such as multi-piece apparel or layered systems
This ensures that innovative designs still meet minimum visibility requirements.
3. Improved Guidance on Fit and Coverage
The updated standard reinforces that high-visibility apparel must maintain required visible areas when worn as intended. Poor fit, improper sizing, or excessive coverage by other garments can compromise compliance.
Manufacturers and employers are encouraged to consider:
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Size range availability
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Adjustability
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Compatibility with other PPE
4. Enhanced Labeling and User Information
Labeling requirements are clarified to ensure users can easily identify:
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The ANSI/ISEA 107 performance class
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The type of garment
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Care and maintenance instructions
Clear labeling helps employers select appropriate apparel and maintain compliance throughout the garment’s service life.
5. Emphasis on Proper Use and Maintenance
The updated guidance highlights that visibility performance can degrade over time due to:
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Washing and drying cycles
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Exposure to dirt, oils, and chemicals
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Wear and abrasion
Employers are encouraged to establish inspection and replacement programs to ensure garments continue to meet visibility requirements.
What the Updates Mean for Importers and Buyers
For importers and distributors of high-visibility clothing, the updated ANSI/ISEA 107 standard means:
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Verifying that products are tested to the latest version of the standard
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Ensuring accurate labeling and documentation
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Working closely with manufacturers to confirm design compliance
Products certified to outdated requirements may face acceptance issues with end users or safety audits.
Common Compliance Mistakes to Avoid
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Mislabeling garment class or performance level
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Using reflective materials that do not meet minimum performance criteria
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Offering limited sizes that affect compliance when worn
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Ignoring care and maintenance instructions
Proactive compliance checks help reduce liability and improve customer confidence.
Conclusion
ANSI/ISEA 107 updates reflect ongoing efforts to improve worker visibility and reduce accidents in high-risk environments. Staying informed about changes to material performance, garment design, labeling, and maintenance is essential for maintaining compliance and ensuring effective protection.
By selecting high-visibility clothing that meets the latest ANSI/ISEA 107 requirements, employers and importers can enhance safety outcomes and meet regulatory expectations with confidence.
