七月 2026

The updated version of test standards EN ISO 12870 for spectacle frames and EN ISO 12312-1 that defines safety, optical, and construction requirements for non-prescription sunglasses and clip-ons are officially harmonized for the European Union.

Spectacle frame test requirements EN ISO 12870:2025 published in 2025 are now official and mandatory in the European Union (EU). Referring to the current Official Journal dated 17 June 2026, EN ISO 12870:2025 replaces EN ISO 12870:2018, with an effective date beginning 17 June 2026.

Test requirements for sunglasses, EN ISO 12312-1:2022+A11:2024 published in 2022 and amended in 2024, are also officially mandatory in the EU.

Referring to the current Official Journal dated 16 June 2026, EN ISO 12312-1:2022+A11:2024 (harmonized European standard for afocal (non-prescription) sunglasses and clip-ons for general, everyday use) replaces EN ISO 12312-1:2013+A1:2015 harmonized international standard defining the optical, mechanical, and physical safety requirements for non-prescription sunglasses and clip-ons for general, everyday use) with an effective date from 16 June 2026.

EN ISO 12312-1:2013+A1:2015 will be legally withdrawn on 16 December 2027 with a transition period of 1.5 years.

The new test standards AS 16321-1, AS 16321-2 and AS/NZS ISO 16321-3 have been published in 2026 for eye and face protectors.

Australian standards AS 16321-1, the standard for eye and face protection for occupational use, AS 16321-2, the occupational safety standard specifying safety and performance requirements for eye and face protectors used during welding and related techniques, and AS/NZS ISO 16321-3, a regional adaptation of the international standard specifying performance and marking requirements for mesh-style eye and face protectors have been published in 2026.

The requirements in the AS 16321 series have been aligned and modified according to the updated version of the EN ISO 16321 series which is the international benchmark standard for occupational and educational eye and face protection. These test standards replace AS/NZS 1337.1:2010, the standard that specifies the minimum requirements for non-prescription personal eye and face protectors and AS/NZS 1337.6:2012, the standard for prescription safety eyewear, both of which have been published for more than 10 years.

The new test standards summarized are:

• AS 16321.1:2026 Eye and face protection for occupational use, Part 1: General requirements (ISO 16321-1:2021, MOD), published on 29 May 2026

• AS 16321.2:2026 Eye and face protection for occupational use, Part 2: Additional requirements for protectors used during welding and related techniques (ISO 16321-2:2021, MOD), published on 29 May 2026

• AS/NZS ISO 16321.3:2026 Eye and face protection for occupational use, Part 3: Additional requirements for mesh protectors, published on 19 June 2026

AS/NZS 1337.1:2010, AS/NZS 1337.6:2012 as well as reference standards AS/NZS 1338.1:2012, AS/NZS 1338.2:2012 and AS/NZS 1338.3:2012 will remain current for 36 months from the date of publication of this document. After this time, they will be superseded by the AS 16321 series. For reference:

• AS/NZS 1338.1:2012 specifies the requirements for filters used in eye protectors to guard against high-intensity radiation generated during welding and allied operations

• AS/NZS 1338.2:2012 specifies the requirements for filters used in eye protectors to guard against ultraviolet (UV) radiation

• AS/NZS 1338.3:2012 (specifies the exact requirements for filters used in eye protectors designed to safeguard against infra-red (IR) radiation)