Revolution in Reflective Accessories
Since 2021, the new European standard CE EN 17353 has come into effect, fundamentally changing the approach to manufacturing and certifying reflective accessories. This standard primarily concerns products intended for medium-risk situations and replaces the previous standards EN 1150 and EN 13356.
What Does EN 17353 Bring?
The CE EN 17353 standard establishes stricter requirements for the quality of reflective materials and introduces new product categories. "The main goal of this standard is to increase user safety of reflective accessories through higher quality standards," explains Petr Novák, Marketing Director at TAEDA.
Three Basic Categories According to EN 17353
The standard divides products into three main categories based on usage conditions. Type A is intended for daylight and contains only fluorescent materials. Type B functions in poor lighting conditions and uses exclusively retroreflective materials. The most universal is type AB, which combines both types of materials for day and night use.
Impact on Reflective Keychains and Accessories
The new standard has a fundamental impact on the production of reflective keychains and other safety accessories. Products must now undergo more demanding durability and reflectivity tests in specialized accredited laboratories.
Higher Requirements for Reflective Materials
EN 17353 establishes minimum reflective area and increases requirements for the quality of films used. Testing is conducted from various angles and includes checking resistance to abrasion and other mechanical influences.
Certification and CE Marking
Products meeting the EN 17353 standard have the right to CE marking along with the reflective standard number. This certification process is demanding and costly, but guarantees high quality and product safety.
End of Old Standards
Since September 5, 2022, accredited bodies can no longer issue certificates according to the previous EN 13356 standard. All new reflective bands and accessories must meet the requirements of the new EN 17353 standard.
Practical Impact for Users
For end users, the EN 17353 standard means greater assurance of quality and safety. Certified reflective accessories provide better visibility up to several hundred meters distance, significantly increasing pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Investment in Safety
Although certified products may seem more expensive, investing in quality reflective accessories according to EN 17353 standard pays off in terms of long-term safety and quality.
Future of Reflective Products
The CE EN 17353 standard represents a significant step forward in the field of safety reflective products. Thanks to stricter standards, users of reflective keychains, bands, and other accessories can be confident that their safety is the top priority.