There is no fixed deadline that applies to all of them. The service life of a high-visibility garment depends on use, washing and the working environment. Technical Note NTP 1219 from Spain's INSST (December 2025) sums it up like this:
“The garment is withdrawn when it is no longer valid, and a competent person decides this when inspecting it.”
What to look at in each inspection
- Fluorescent background: if it has faded or discoloured, it loses its ability to make the wearer visible in daylight.
- Reflective bands: if they are peeling, worn or cracked, they lose their reflectivity at night.
A reminder
Garments must not be repaired on your own. A patch or a homemade seam can compromise protection.
Put it in writing
For purchasing and OHS teams, the most useful thing is to put it in writing: which PPE is inspected, how often and who does it.
How often do you inspect garments in your company?
PRIMA PROTECCIÓN EUROPE: Innovating to protect.
