ISO 12311:2023

Overview

ISO 12311:2023 - "Personal protective equipment - Test methods for sunglasses and related eyewear" - specifies reference test methods for determining the mechanical and environmental properties of sunglasses and related eyewear referenced in ISO 12312 (all parts). It applies to all sunglasses and related eyewear and allows use of other test methods when equivalence can be demonstrated. The second edition updates the scope of retained methods and aligns with related head‑form test methods (ISO 18526 series).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and prerequisites

  • Specifies test sample preparation, number of samples, conditioning, subjective checks and pass/fail criteria (see ISO 12312).
  • Ambient test conditions: 16 °C to 32 °C and relative humidity (50 ± 20) % unless otherwise stated.
  • Nominal values subject to ±5 % tolerance unless declared as maxima/minima.

• Mechanical test methods

  • Frame deformation and filter retention
    • Apparatus: annular clamp (outside diameter 25 ± 2 mm), pressure peg (10 ± 1 mm diameter, hemispherical), measuring device (uncertainty ≤ ±0.1 mm).
    • Procedure: apply force up to 5 N or displacement (10 ±1 % of boxed‑centre distance), hold 5 s, measure percentage deformation. Report fracture, filter displacement and whether deformation exceeds 2 %.
    • Measurement uncertainty for the method: estimate established per ISO/IEC Guide 98‑3; value shall not exceed ±10 %.
  • Increased endurance (hinge/sides cycling)
    • Apparatus: two clamps on universal joints, bridge support and revolution counter; cyclical motion of one side with other side fixed.
    • Motion profile: down 30 ± 0.5 mm, out 60 ± 1.0 mm, up 30 ± 0.5 mm at 40 cycles/min. Clamping point (55 ± 1) mm from pivot.
  • Resistance to perspiration
    • Chemical and apparatus references provided; procedure assesses frame resistance to sweat exposure.

• Reporting and uncertainty

  • Specific reporting items are defined for each test (e.g., deformation %, achieved load, fracture, filter retention).
  • Annex A covers application of measurement uncertainty.

Practical applications and who uses it

• Eyewear manufacturers: product development, design validation and quality control.
• Testing laboratories and certification bodies: compliance testing against ISO 12312 performance requirements.
• Procurement and regulatory agencies: verify conformity of sunglasses and protective eyewear for occupational or consumer use.
• R&D and quality assurance teams: compare materials, hinge designs and filter retention under standardized conditions.

Related standards

• ISO 12312 (all parts) - performance/specifications for sunglasses and filters
• ISO 18526 series - head form test methods (referenced removal of duplicated content)
• ISO 4007, ISO 8624 - vocabulary and measuring systems for eye/face protection and spectacle frames
• ISO/IEC Guide 98‑3 (GUM) - uncertainty of measurement guidance

Keywords: ISO 12311:2023, sunglasses test methods, eyewear standards, frame deformation test, filter retention, endurance cycling, perspiration resistance, PPE eye protection.