ISO 18527-2:2021

Overview

ISO 18527-2:2021 - Eye and face protection for sports use - Part 2 defines requirements and test methods for sports eye protectors used in squash, racquetball and squash 57 (and sports with similar hazards and no greater risks). It covers design, materials, optical and mechanical performance, marking and manufacturer information. The standard applies to protectors that incorporate prescription lenses but excludes products intended to be worn over spectacles, protectors without lenses, gradient-tinted lenses, occupational eye protection and sports with different or greater hazard profiles.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 18527-2 organizes technical requirements and tests across these main areas:

• General requirements
  • Physiological compatibility, construction, cleaning/disinfection and fit (headforms and retention by headbands/harnesses).
• Optical properties
  • Lens transmittance categories, uniformity of luminous transmittance, solar UV transmittance, scattered light and refractive power (non‑prescription and prescription variants).
  • Special lens types addressed: photochromic and polarizing lenses; gradient-tinted lenses are excluded.
• Mechanical performance
  • Impact and mechanical strength requirements specific to squash and racquetball/squash 57 applications, and failure criteria after impact.
• Durability and safety
  • Resistance to solar UV radiation, ignition resistance, field of view and minimum protected area (frontal and lateral protection).
• Optional performance
  • Resistance to fogging and abrasion (optional tests and marks).
• Marking and information
  • Mandatory markings on the product and required manufacturer-supplied information, plus guidance on selection and use (Annex A) and prescription wearer selection (Annex B).
• Testing framework
  • Selection, preparation and conditioning of test samples; referenced test methods are in the ISO 18526 series.

Practical applications - who uses this standard

ISO 18527-2:2021 is intended for:

• Manufacturers and designers of sports eye protectors (ensuring product safety, compliance and market access).
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors performing optical and mechanical testing.
• Sports governing bodies, clubs and coaches that specify or recommend protective equipment.
• Procurement officers and retailers who need to verify markings and manufacturer information.
• Eye-care professionals advising players who need prescription-compatible protectors.

Using ISO 18527-2 helps ensure consistent safety performance, accurate labeling, and informed selection of eye protectors for squash, racquetball and squash 57 players.

Related standards

Key normative references include:

• ISO 18526 series (test methods for eye and face protection)
• ISO 4007 (vocabulary for eye & face protection)
• ISO 8980-5 (lens surface abrasion resistance)
• ISO 11664-2 (CIE standard illuminants)
• ISO 21987 (mounted spectacle lenses)

Keywords: ISO 18527-2:2021, eye protection for sports, squash eye protectors, racquetball eye protectors, sports eye protectors standard, optical testing, mechanical impact testing.