High-vis clothing regulations from Rijkswaterstaat
Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) is the executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
In the interest of road safety in general — and personal safety in particular — it is of vital importance that anyone working on or alongside national roads is clearly visible and easily recognisable. Therefore, anyone employed by, working for, or acting with permission from Rijkswaterstaat who is performing duties outside of a vehicle on a national road is required to wear high-visibility safety clothing.
Rijkswaterstaat follows the European standard EN ISO 20471 for high-visibility warning clothing but also sets additional specific requirements.
When to use RWS garments?
RWS-approved garments are mandatory for anyone working in the Netherlands under the authority or permission of Rijkswaterstaat in situations where high visibility is essential for safety, including:
on or near Dutch national roads (A- and N-roads)
on or near rail infrastructure
along waterways or during maintenance of waterworks
In all these environments, RWS clothing ensures that workers remain clearly visible in daylight, poor weather or at night - reducing accident risk and improving overall safety.
Note: Emergency services such as the fire brigade, police and ambulance wear their own protective uniforms and are not covered by this guideline.
RWS and EN ISO 20471
Performance requirements under RWS
The RWS guideline defines precise requirements for design, colour and reflective layout, ensuring that garments are instantly recognisable and provide maximum visibility in all conditions.
Visibility class: garments must comply with EN ISO 20471 Class 2 during daytime and Class 3 at night or whenever visibility is reduced.
Fabric colour: only fluorescent orange-red.
Luminance factor: minimum reflectance of ≥ 0.4 for fluorescent and ≥ 0.1 for retroreflective materials, measured against a perfectly white surface (100 % reflection).
Contrast colours: darker shades such as navy are allowed only on limited areas: the inside of the collar, pocket edges, cuffs and trouser hems.
Reflective band placement under RWS (December 2019)
| Garment class | Band placement | Band width |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2 |
- 2 horizontal bands around the torso - 1 vertical band over each shoulder connecting the front and back horizontal bands |
50 mm |
| Class 3 – upper body garments |
- 2 horizontal bands around the torso - 1 vertical band over each shoulder connecting the front and back horizontal bands - 2 horizontal sleeve bands (one above and one below the elbow) |
50 mm |
| Class 3 – upper body garments | - 1 vertical sleeve band along the outer side of each sleeve (*) | 25 mm |
| Class 3 – lower body garments | - 2 horizontal bands around each leg | 50 mm |
| Class 3 – lower body garments | - 1 vertical band along the outer side of each leg | 25 mm |
About the symbol
Garments in the Sioen range that comply with RWS requirements feature the EN ISO 20471 pictogram together with a distinctive highroad symbol and the words “RWS Line” underneath, indicating conformity with Rijkswaterstaat’s colour and design specifications.
Correct use and maintenance of RWS garments
The durability and effectiveness of RWS visibility depend on correct use, care and maintenance.
Ensure garments are fully closed and unobstructed – vests, jackets and trousers must cover the body completely and remain visible at all times.
A vest or jacket may feature a company logo or marking on the left chest and on the back (max. size 70 × 70 mm), provided it does not cover any retroreflective striping.
Follow the washing instructions on the care label; colour and reflectivity are guaranteed only for the specified number of wash cycles.
Inspect regularly for fading, damage or peeling reflective tape, and replace garments that no longer meet visibility requirements.
Keep fluorescent and reflective surfaces unobscured by other clothing or equipment.
Store garments clean and dry, away from sunlight or chemicals that may cause discolouration.