Quality Standards for Sunglasses
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Quality Standards for Sunglasses
You are Protected from Shoddy Products!
No world wide standard exists for Sunglasses although the United States, Australia and the Europeans each have developed their own. These standards specify sunglasses protection against Ultra-Violet radiation and other specifications. An ISO standard is being developed but has not yet been finalized. In the United States, Sunglasses fall under the regulation of the Food and Drug Administration who provides safety standards to manufacturers. European sunglasses that meet the European standard have the CE mark which informs the buy that the European standard is met by the model.
The Australian Standard is AS/NZS 1067:2003, the European is EN 1836:2005 and the United States Standard is ANSI Z80.3-2001.
The US specified standard specifies several(3) transmittance characteristics which specifies the amount of UV and visual light that the lens of the sunglasses can pass. Safety standards are also included which specify the impact that the sunglasses must withstand. These are tested by dropping a steel ball onto the sunglasses and firing a steel ball into the lens. To pass, during the test, no part of the frame or lens must deform enough to touch the eye of the wearer.
The Australian Standard covers both sunglasses and fashion spectacles and has five transmittance specifications which specify protection levels against UV and Sun Glare. The Australians actually developed the first standard for sunglasses and it was way back in 1971. The Australian Standard has both performance and safety requirements. This standard was recently changed to be in conformance with the European Standard, a move which was designed to make it possible for Australian products to be sold in Europe. The Australians kept in place their own specific requirements but added the European differences.
The European Standard is less restrictive than both the US and Australian ones, with respect to UV protection. This Standard specifies lens performance and material specifications. Products which meet or exceed the standard are allowed to display a CE mark signifying quality based on meeting the specification.
So, even though you think of your shades as a fashion item, they are designed to safety specifications which provide additional protection to your precious vision!
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