In 2006 the International Safety Equipment Association published ANSI/ISEA 207-2006, the American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vest. This was in response to years of feedback from public safety professionals that they wanted the nighttime visibility that ANSI 107 Class II vests provide, but didn't like how the vests covered their equipment belt. This new standard  establishes design, performance specifications, and use criteria for highly visible vests that are used by public safety industries. The vest design criteria reflect the specific needs of public safety workers such as the need to access belt mounted equipment (gun, CPR barrier) and the ability for vests to tear away from the body.

Alert! - Public safety professionals have until November 24, 2008 to comply with 23 CFR Part 634, which is the Federal Highway Administration's mandate that anyone working in or around federally subsidized roadways are required to wear ANSI 107-2004 Class II or III certified safety apparel. Departments and agencies do not comply with the mandate may face citations and financial penalties including loss of grant funding.

Update! - The Federal Highway Administration has evaluated the ANSI 207 Safety Vest standard and considers it comparable to ANSI 107 Class 2. Agencies and personnel wearing ANSI 207 certified safety vests after the November 24 deadline will not be cited or fined. A revised version of the MUTCD, which is the guidance document for 23 CFR Part 634, will be published in early 2009 and will include ANSI 207. For written documentation on this issue, please visit this link.

Blauer manufactures four ANSI 207-2006 certified safety vests. Look for the B.BRIGHT logo  to quickly identify which of our products are ANSI 107 or ANSI 207 certified and eligible for grant funding. Visit the Grant Information   section of our website to learn more about grant opportunities in your area.