EUROPEAN STANDARDS FOR EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

European standards (not laser protection)
EN 165 Indications
EN 166 Requirements and specifications
EN 167 Optic testing methods
EN 168 Non optic testing methods
EN 169 Welding filtres
EN 170 Ultraviolet filtres
EN 171 Infra red filtres
EN 172 Sunlight filtres

The labelling must show (obligatory)
• CE-symbol.
• Manufactorer’s ID-number.
• The EN-standard’s number according to the above.
• Application area (see below).
• Mechanical strength (see below).

SYMBOLS FOR APPLICATION AREA
3 Protection against fluid drops and splashes.
4 Protection against big dust particles >5 millimeters.
5 Protection against gasses and small dust particles <5 millimeters.
8 Protection against short circuit of electric equipment.
9 Protection against splashes of melted metal or hot particles. No common use – unspecified mechanical risks along with risks connected with UV, IR and sun radiation.

SYMBOLS MECHANICAL STRENGTH
S Increased strength. Resists steel bullets Ø22 millimeters, weight 43 grams, speed 5,1 m/s. F Against particles with high velocity and low energy. Resists steel bullet Ø6 mm, weight 0,86 grams, speed 45 m/s.
B Against particles with high velocity and medium high energy. Resist steel bullet Ø6 millimeters, weight 0,86 , speed 120 m/s.
A Against particles with velocity and high energy. Resists steel bullet Ø6 millimeters, weight 0,86 grams, speed 190 m/s. 
No Basic requirements. Resists pressure from steel bullet Ø22 millimeters, weight 43 grams, pressure 100 N.

LABELLING OF LENSES

The labelling must show (obligatory):
• Degree number and density number (applies only to lenses with a light filtrating function).
• Manufactorer’s ID.
• Mechanical strength (see below).
• Application area (see below).

The labelling can also show (voluntary):
• Resistance against scratching from small particles and misting up (see below).

SYMBOLS FOR OPTIC CLASS
1 Permanent use.
2 Frequent repeated use.
3 Occasional use.

SYMBOLS FOR MECHANICAL STRENGTH
S Increased strength. Resists steel bullet Ø22 millimeters, weight 43 grams, speed 5,1 m/s.
F Against particles with high velocity and low energy. Resists steel bullet Ø6 millimeters, weight 0,86 grams, speed 45 m/s.
B Against particles with high velocity and medium high energy. Resists steel bullet Ø6 millimeters, weight 0,86 grams, speed 120 m/s.
A Against particles with high velocity and high energy. Resists steel bullet Ø6 millimeters, weight 0,86 grams, speed 190 m/s.
NO Basic requirements. Resists pressure from steel bullet Ø22 mm, weight 43 grams, pressure 100 N.

SYMBOLS FOR APPLICATION AREA
10 Protection against splashes of melted metal and hot particles.
NO Ordinary use - unspecified mechanical risks along with risks connected with UV, IR and sun radiation.

OTHER SYMBOLS
K Resistance against scratching from small particles.
N Anti mist.
NB.
• Highest mechanical strength for glasses
• Highest mechanical strength for goggles
• Highest mechanical strength for protection screens mechanical strength must both be labelled with the symbol for lowest strength.

Labelling of disposable glasses (where frame and lens form a unity) happens on the frame and must show optic class followed by a hyphen and the number of the standard followed by the symbols for application area and mechanical strength. Source: Sperian