What regulations must sunglasses comply with?

What makes sunglasses original and EU-compliant?

Have you ever stopped to think about whether the sunglasses we use have to comply with any regulations? Surely there are few of us who check it and we are more concerned about choosing the most beautiful ones and, at most, if we buy brand name sunglasses we want to be sure that they are 100% original (like all the ones we sell in Vytria).

Knowing if a pair of sunglasses is original and approved is very easy, since this information is indicated on the frame and on the packaging (as long as it is the original). It is very important to use only sunglasses that comply with European Union regulations and bear the CE seal to protect our eyes and avoid risks that damage our visual health.

The importance of buying certified sunglasses

Many times we sin of preferring to cure when the damage is already done and then we regret not having prevented possible damage. And this is quite frequent when we buy sunglasses anywhere because they are more trendy and much cheaper, but do not comply with any regulations. This, in the long run and not so long term, can end up damaging various parts of our eyes and in some cases are irreversible damage.

For this reason, it is very important to use only approved sunglasses and optical frames with approved lenses. In the case of the European Union, there are strict regulations that all manufacturers and sellers are obliged to comply with to ensure maximum protection for eyes and visual health.

Essential requirements of European Union sunglasses regulations

This standard set by the European Union is EN ISO 12312-1: 2022 and, as we have said, it includes all the quality and safety characteristics that sunglasses for common use must meet to guarantee protection against UV rays.

The essential specifications for these sunglasses are:

UV protection: they must block at least 95% of UV rays. The most important thing in sunglasses is protection against solar radiation, as it is the source that causes the most eye diseases.

Light transmission limits: as important as blocking UV rays, it is also important to regulate the amount of light that the lens filter lets through. There is a maximum amount for each of the existing filters.

Impact resistance: approved sunglasses must be sufficiently impact resistant and protect the eyes from possible impact-related injuries.

Lens quality: there are also minimum quality standards that sunglasses must meet according to the EU to ensure clear, distortion-free vision.

Manufacturer's information: it is the responsibility of the manufacturer of the sunglasses to include the following information on the packaging: characteristics of the glasses, UV protection level, filter category and intended use.

Absence of hazardous substances: there is also a regulation on the material used for the manufacture of frames and lenses and in no case can they pose a risk to the user's health.

CE marking: this marking indicates that these glasses comply with European Union regulations and have passed the necessary tests. EU regulation 2016/425 indicates the requirements concerning the procedures for manufacturing, marketing and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), in which sunglasses are included.

Other essential information: sunscreen category, warnings for use or cleaning and maintenance instructions.

How to identify original and compliant sunglasses

The first thing to do to find out if a pair of sunglasses complies with EU regulations is to check that they have the CE marking, the marking that proves that these original sunglasses comply with the EN 1836:2066 regulation.

In addition, to know if they are original, compare the purchase invoice with the information indicated on the packaging and on the temples. All the information must match and indicate reference, color, caliber, brand, etc.

You should also receive the user's manual, cleaning and maintenance instructions and the quality certificate.

It is also essential to be careful with the place where we buy sunglasses, whether online or physical.

UV protection and CE marking: keys to choosing original sunglasses

The two keys to choosing your next pair of sunglasses and making sure they are original and approved are the protection against solar radiation and the CE marking we have just mentioned.

All sunglasses manufactured and marketed in the European Union must comply with its regulations and in doing so must include the CE marking. And the material used to manufacture the lenses must block at least 95% of UV rays to protect the eyes and prevent damage to visual health.

Risks of wearing unapproved sunglasses and how to avoid them

If we talk about health, the motto we should have clear is “prevention is better than cure” because it is not always possible to cure and because the cure that has to be done always comes out more expensive and is not 100% effective.

If you decide to wear non-approved sunglasses, you should be aware that you are assuming that you may suffer from these conditions:

Eye damage caused by UV rays such as keratitis, conjunctivitis, cataracts, macular degeneration or pterygium.

Distorted vision, eyestrain, migraines.

Damage caused by impact. If we choose glasses that are not very resistant, there is a high probability that the lenses or frame will break and in doing so damage the eyes or face.

Reactions to toxic substances, since if the glasses are not homologated, the materials used for their manufacture may contain substances that cause allergies or skin reactions.

Vytria Eyewear: original sunglasses certified to EU regulations

If we buy sunglasses in a physical store, it is easier to check that these glasses are approved, but when buying them online sometimes we have to wait for them to arrive to check them. This does not happen at Vytria, as we assure you that all the sunglasses in our catalog are 100% original and comply with EU regulations.

In addition, if you need proof to give you guarantees when making the purchase, write us to WhatsApp and we will send you photos without any problem, since all the glasses available for purchase we have them physically in our warehouse to meet the shipment in 24h.