EVAK: Which Role Belongs on Which Vest? Practical Guide for Switzerland

The word “EVAK” on a high-visibility or safety vest often raises questions: what exactly does this marking mean, what function is behind it and which vest is best suited to which application in Switzerland? This practical guide explains the EVAK function, classifies it by application, identifies relevant standard requirements and shows which Korntex products make sense.

What does “EVAK” mean on a vest?

“EVAK” is an abbreviation generally used for “evacuation” or for people with evacuation responsibility (e.g. evacuation coordinators or assistants). Within organisations, “EVAK” can have different internal meanings, so clarify before use or ordering which role designation your organisation uses. The marking makes these people quickly recognisable in emergencies or drills and signals their task to emergency services, staff or the public.

Core functions of EVAK vests – quick overview

• Recognisability: high visibility through signal colours and reflectors.
• Role identification: clear text (EVAK) signals the task and authority.
• Functionality: pockets/compartments for radios, documents or first-aid equipment.
• Flexibility: easy to put on and take off for operations and drills.
• Customisable: specific lettering for authorities, companies or events.

EN ISO 20471: classes, meaning and recommendations (brief)

A key standard for high-visibility clothing is EN ISO 20471. It defines three protection classes based on visible and reflective surface area. In brief:

• Class 1: smallest area of fluorescent material and reflectors. Suitable for low-risk situations and low traffic/hazard density (e.g. short, clearly visible tasks on quiet sites).
• Class 2: medium garment area, often recommended for most professional applications with moderate traffic density or reduced visibility (e.g. logistics warehouses, municipal depots during the day).
• Class 3: highest protection level with a large fluorescent area and comprehensive reflectors; recommended where high speeds, poor visibility or particularly critical evacuation tasks are expected (e.g. roadside construction sites, night work, traffic coordination).

Recommendation by target group (as guidance):

• Construction: generally Class 2 or 3 depending on proximity to roads/traffic; for work on or near roads, preferably Class 3.
• Municipal depots & industry: usually Class 2; in areas with internal vehicle movements and poor visibility, consider assessing the need for Class 3.
• Logistics: Class 2; for night or outdoor logistics (HGV traffic), check whether Class 3 is required.
• Authorities: Class 2 or 3 depending on the operational scenario; for leaders in large-scale operations, often Class 3.
• Families/private users: Class 1 or simple high-visibility vests are sufficient where there are no special hazards.

Further technical details on the standard can be found on our information page EN ISO 20471 (briefly explained). For binding interpretations and legal requirements, we recommend consulting the competent cantonal occupational safety bodies (e.g. SECO information) or standards organisations.

EVAK function by target group

Construction

On construction sites, rapid identification is crucial. EVAK vests for construction personnel should be robust, highly visible and clearly marked with the role. Versions with pockets for plans or radios and reinforced material against abrasion are recommended. For work near roads, a Class 3 vest should be preferred.

Municipal depots & industry

Municipal depots and industrial facilities often require complex evacuation routes and several responsible persons. EVAK vests should have additional reflective strips and space for ID cards. Multifunctional vests with several pockets are practical because they combine operational and work functions.

Logistics

In logistics centres, EVAK markings enable rapid coordination during incidents. Vests with contrasting colours on the front and back improve visibility in halls. For outdoor areas or night operations, Class 3 models are appropriate.

Authorities

Authorities often require standardised markings and customisation options (role, department). For them, special Identification vests (EVAK markings) and use of our lettering service is recommended. Observe internal requirements and check legal requirements in advance.

Resellers

Resellers look for a range of variants, stock availability and customisation options. Categories such as High-visibility vests (EVAK / safety vests) and Functional vests for operations and work form a good basis for reseller portfolios. Check stock labelling by class and size to ensure fast deliveries.

Families

For private households, for example school-route supervision or family outings, lightweight, bright high-visibility vests are often sufficient. Children’s high-visibility vests should fit well and have no loose parts; simple models from the category High-visibility vests are generally suitable.

Material, visibility and care

Material choice affects durability and visibility: fluorescent polyester fabrics provide good long-term signal performance, while reinforced seams and strengthened edges increase service life. Reflective strips must be properly applied and kept clean so they work at night or in poor weather. Regular inspections (e.g. before the season or after intensive use) and simple care instructions extend useful life.

Legal note

Note: this information is general and does not replace binding legal or occupational safety advice. In particular for authorities, construction projects or regulated workplaces, check applicable cantonal and internal requirements. Korntex provides technical advice and product information but does not provide legal advice.

Multilingual use in multilingual Switzerland

In organisations with multilingual staff, texts and markings should be checked and, where necessary, supplemented in French, Italian or English. Korntex can provide information and lettering in other national languages on request; contact our team for multilingual solutions.

Practical examples from Switzerland

• Construction site A: EVAK vests with chest pocket and radio holders for rapid contact during evacuation drills.
• Municipal depot B: identification vests with back numbers to coordinate assembly points during seasonal clearance work.
• School event C: signal-yellow children’s high-visibility vests with EVAK markings for supervisors, improving overview and safety.

Korntex product recommendations & procurement

For the most common applications, we recommend the following categories on korntex.ch:

• High-visibility vests (EVAK / safety vests)– basic variants for families, logistics and construction.
• Identification vests (EVAK markings) – ideal for authorities and clearly defined roles.
• Multifunctional vests (EVAK suitable) – when work suitability and operational function need to be combined.

For customisation (e.g. EVAK text, authority name or company logo), use our service Printing & customisation of high-visibility vests”. Resellers can find terms and distribution information on the page “Become a reseller / dealer”. Accessories such as replacement reflectors and fasteners can be found under Vest accessories (reflectors, fasteners).

Purchasing and reordering tips for resellers

Resellers should keep standard models in stock (yellow/orange, various sizes) and allow for customisation lead times on orders. Use accessories such as replacement reflectors and fasteners to meet customer needs fully.

Conclusion: EVAK – which function in which vest

The EVAK marking represents a clear role in evacuation and coordination processes. The important combination is visibility (EN ISO 20471), functionality and correct labelling. Choose the vest according to the application: simple high-visibility vests for families and less exposed logistics, identification vests for authorities, and multifunctional, robust versions for construction and industry. For questions about standard classes, sample orders or multilingual lettering, contact our team.

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