Sioen offers a complete range of high-visibility workwear certified according to the Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) guidelines, along with a few multinorm options available for combined protection against multiple risks. Based on the European standard EN ISO 20471 and additional RWS-specific requirements, these garments guarantee optimal visibility, durability, and compliance for those working on or near national roads.
Sioen RWS
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.
What does the RWS guideline include?
Class 2 and 3
On and alongside national roads, only safety clothing compliant with high visibility class 2 and 3 is permitted. During daylight hours, at least class 2 high-visibility clothing must be worn. At night or in any condition that reduces visibility, class 3 clothing is mandatory.
The classification, derived from the EN ISO 20471 standard, is based on the minimum surface area of fluorescent material and retroreflective tape. By combining garments, a higher protection class can be achieved.
Colour
Rijkswaterstaat only allows high-visibility orange as a colour for RWS safety clothing. As long as the surface requirements of EN ISO 20471 are met, contrasting dark (navy) accents may be used in the following areas:
The inside of the collar
The pocket openings
The lower edge of sleeves and trouser legs (up to a maximum of 5 cm)
In addition to these visual requirements, Rijkswaterstaat also imposes several colourimetric criteria and specific placement rules for the reflective bands — all of which our design team carefully considers when creating RWS-compliant high-visibility garments.
PRODUCT FACTS
Standards & certifications in the Sioen RWS range
Read more about the different standards and certifications that are applicable in the Sioen RWS range.
The Sustainable Sioen symbol
Garments developed with special attention to sustainability - whether through their materials, their design, or both - carry our Sustainable Sioen symbol. This quality label is our guarantee that the product meets defined sustainability criteria, making it easy to recognise designs in our collection with a reduced environmental impact.
New brand structure
The different Sioen ranges are part of the new brand structure, in which Sioen PRO, as a separate brand, offers multinorm protective clothing and the other Sioen ranges are grouped together under the brand name Sioen.
New structure: Sioen
Discover all Sioen ranges
Under the Sioen brand, you will find all the trusted ranges you have always known. New in this structure: the RWS and Flexothane® collections are now presented separately, making it even easier and faster to find the right protection for your needs.
Sioen All Weather
Certified thermal wear and rain gear for protection and comfort in every season.
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Sioen High Visibility
EN ISO 20471-certified workwear for maximum visibility and safety in all conditions.
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Sioen RWS
Certified workwear compliant with EN ISO 20471 and meeting Dutch RWS high-vis requirements.
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Sioen Cold storage & Food
Protective clothing for cold storage, food processing, and hygiene-critical workplaces.
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Sioen Flexothane®
Lightweight, waterproof, and tear-resistant garments for lasting protection and comfort.
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