Sunglasses safety
What should you check before buying sunglasses?
To make sure your sunglasses provide the necessary protection, check that they meet European safety standards and offer the right level of protection.
How do sunglasses protect your eyes?
Protecting your eyes from the sun is important, as ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your eyes and increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, or skin cancer around the eyelids. Sunglasses help by filtering light and blocking damaging UV rays.
- Sunglasses play a key role in protecting your eyes in two ways:
- Filter light to reduce glare
- Block ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage your eyes, especially on very sunny days
What safety standards must sunglasses meet in Ireland?
Sunglasses sold in Ireland must meet European Union safety standards. Before you buy, check that your sunglasses include:
- A CE mark that is visible, legible and indelibly marked on the glasses, showing they meet European safety standards and have passed the necessary tests. Find out more on the CE Mark here - CE Mark.
- The class of protection, which should be marked between 0 (no UV protection) and 4 (full UV protection)
- An information note attached to the sunglasses, which should include the model, the name and address of the manufacturer, a reference to the standard I.S. EN ISO 12312-1:2013, the type and category of filters, and instructions for cleaning
- A warning for category 4 filter sunglasses (the highest filtering level), stating that they should not be worn while driving
Why is it important to check the protection level and information provided?
The type of protection your sunglasses offer affects their ability to filter UV rays and reduce glare from surfaces like water and glass.
Being informed about the protection class and the information provided helps you choose sunglasses that will protect your eyes and prevent long-term damage.
