ISO 12312-3:2022

Overview

ISO 12312-3:2022 - “Eye and face protection - Sunglasses and related eyewear - Part 3” defines material, design, performance and marking requirements for sunglasses for running, cycling and similar active lifestyles. It applies to nominally afocal (plano power) sunglasses intended to protect wearers from environmental elements (solar radiation, wind, dust, rain) during recreational active use - but excludes competitive sports requiring enhanced impact protection, occupational eye protection, medically prescribed filters, and products for direct solar observation.

Keywords: ISO 12312-3, sunglasses for running, cycling eyewear, active lifestyle sunglasses, sunglass standards.

Key topics

• Scope & exclusions: Recreational active-use sunglasses only; not for occupational, medical, competitive-impact sports or solar observation (see ISO 12312‑2).
• Reference requirements: Incorporates general requirements from ISO 12312‑1:2022 (construction, transmittance, refractive power, solar radiation resistance, ignition resistance).
• Robustness & mechanical strength:
  • Frame deformation, filter retention and resistance to perspiration are mandatory.
  • Increased endurance and strength level 2 robustness are required (tests per ISO 18526‑3).
  • Strength level 3 (impact resistance of the filter) is optional; if claimed, tested per ISO 18526‑3.
• Optical and protective requirements:
  • Transmittance and refractive power as per ISO 12312‑1.
  • Field-of-view and coverage ellipses defined for adult and children headforms (specific dimensions provided).
• Optional features:
  • Abrasion resistance and fog-resistance (fog test: filter alone must not fog in less than 30 s under ISO 18526‑3 conditions).
• Marking and user information:
  • Mandatory labelling (model ID, manufacturer, reference to ISO 12312‑3:2022, filter type/category, symbols).
  • Special marks: letter “A” for active lifestyle; letter “N” for fog resistance; driving suitability warnings and required wording/symbol sizes.
• Test sampling & conditioning: Random sampling, conditioning 4 h at 23 °C ±5 °C; minimum sample counts specified (e.g., at least 4, or 6 for nickel release testing).

Applications

• Guidance for sunglass manufacturers designing durable lenses and frames for running, cycling and outdoor recreation.
• Reference for testing laboratories performing mechanical, optical and environmental tests.
• Use by retailers, product certifiers, specifiers and regulators to verify labeling, warnings and suitability for active lifestyle consumers.
• Helpful to product designers seeking to balance comfort, coverage and secondary-hazard reduction (rather than full high-impact protection).

Related standards

• ISO 12312‑1:2022 - Sunglasses for general use
• ISO 12312‑2 - Filters for direct solar observation
• ISO 18526‑3:2020 - Test methods (physical/mechanical)
• ISO 18527 (all parts) - Sport-specific eyewear (e.g., ski goggles)
• ISO 16321 (all parts) - Occupational eye protection
• ISO 4007 - Eye and face protection vocabulary

ISO 12312‑3:2022 is essential for stakeholders producing or assessing active lifestyle sunglasses to ensure safety, durability and correct consumer information.