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A clearer view

07 November 2024

There has been significant changes to the requirements and testing methods for safety eyewear. Clair Weston demystifies EN ISO 16321-1:2022.

FOR OVER two decades, the EN 166:2001 standard has been the cornerstone for certifying safety eyewear in the European Union and the United Kingdom. This standard ensured that protective eyewear met stringent safety requirements, safeguarding workers across various industries. However, as technology and understanding of occupational safety have evolved, so too must the standards that govern it. This has led to the publication of EN ISO 16321-1:2022, a new international standard set to replace EN 166:2001. Officially published in May 2023, this standard brings significant changes to the requirements and testing methods for safety eyewear, aiming to harmonise safety regulations globally and enhance protection for workers.

When does the new standard come into force?

EN ISO 16321 was legally adopted in November 2024. However, there is a transition through until November 2025 when the Standard EN 166 can be used to test and certify eyewear. From this date, only products meeting its criteria can be tested and certified. Existing EN 166 certificates, however, will remain valid until their official expiry date, up to a maximum of five years. This means products with EN 166 certifications issued as late as October 31, 2025, can be sold legally by manufacturers until October 31, 2030, with no end date for distributors to complete their sales.

Scope of application

The new standard will apply globally. The universal nature of ISO standards aims to ensure consistency in safety requirements worldwide, promoting a higher level of safety and reliability in occupational environments.

Why change the standard?

The shift to an ISO standard is driven by the need for global harmonisation of safety requirements. This change facilitates greater consistency across international product markings and ensures universal minimum standards. Over time, this will lead to more uniform safety levels across different regions, enhancing overall workplace safety.

Key changes in EN ISO 16321-1:2022

The new standard introduces several significant changes, impacting safety features and testing methods. It will involve new certificates and changes in labelling, markings, instructions and packaging for all safety eyewear.

These are some of the most notable updates:

1. Headforms:

-  The previous EN 166 standard focused mainly on medium and small headforms, leading to a one-size-fits-all approach that often compromised fit and comfort.

-  EN ISO 16321 now includes six headforms, which after extensive research, represents 95% of the global population. This change ensures that safety eyewear provides a better fit across diverse head shapes and sizes, enhancing both comfort and protection.

2. Mechanical strength:

-  The new standard modifies the impact resistance levels and introduces three new impact levels (C, D, and E) with revised velocity speeds.

-  It also introduces "protection zones" (orbital, extended orbital, and face protection zones) to ensure adequate coverage based on the potential speed of projectiles in the workplace. For example, eyewear under impact level C must include an orbital protection zone.

3.  Lens filters:

-  Integrated lens filters under the new standard continue to protect against various types of optical radiation, but with updated markings for clarity and consistency.

-  The protective features under the new ISO standard remain largely the same as under EN 166, but the markings will change. 

-  The standard includes detailed criteria for ultraviolet (UV) protective filters, sun glare filters, infrared (IR) protective filters, and welding filters. Each filter type has specific markings indicating their level of protection and suitability for different applications.

-  For welding filters compliance for signalling lights was not included in the EN166 standard but has been introduced under EN ISO 16321-2:2022 as an optional test and depicted with an L marking. This means that colours remain unaffected by the lens shade.

Optional features and additional markings

Under both the EN and EN ISO standards, several optional features and markings remain consistent, albeit with slight modifications to some test procedures. These include Resistance to Surface Damage by Fine Particles (K) and Resistance Against Fogging (N). The updates in these tests aim to harmonise standards and provide more concrete procedures for manufacturers and test laboratories. Additionally, new optional tests have been developed e.g. for Chemical resistance (CH), High mass impact (MH), and eyewear used in explosive atmospheres. These advancements offer users more specific information about the safety eyewear required for specialised environments.

Conclusion

The transition to EN ISO 16321-1:2022 marks a significant advancement in the standards governing protective eyewear. By incorporating a wider range of headforms, revising mechanical strength requirements, and updating lens filter criteria, the new standard aims to provide enhanced protection and comfort for workers globally. Manufacturers and employers must familiarise themselves with these changes to ensure compliance and continue to provide effective eye protection in the workplace. 

Clair Weston is marketing manager at uvex. For more information, visit www.uvex-safety.co.uk

Simple steps for ensuring a proper fit for safety eyewear

1.There should be no uncomfortable pressure points on the side of the head or behind the ears.

2.The nose piece should be comfortable and contacting your nose without pinching.

3. You should be able to see in all directions without major obstruction.

4. The overall weight of your safety eyewear should be evenly distributed between your ears and nose. The frame should sit comfortably on your face without distracting you from tasks.

5. Frames should fit close to the face without your eyelashes hitting the lens. The space around the frame and your face should be less than a pencil width. Gaps of less than or equal to 6-8mm are preferred.

6. Lenses should cover the eyebrow, eye socket and any soft tissue around it.

7. Eyewear should stay in place when you move your head front-to-back and side-to-side.

 
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