ISO 18527-3:2020

Overview

ISO 18527-3:2020 - Eye and face protection for sports use - Part 3 specifies requirements and test methods for swimming eyewear intended for surface swimming. The standard covers materials, construction, optical properties, performance tests, labelling and manufacturer information for goggles and similar eyewear used in recreational and specialist competitive surface swimming. It applies to non‑prescription nominally plano/afocal lenses, mass‑produced corrective lenses and prescription lenses. Eyewear conforming to this standard is suitable for surface use and shallow diving only (not for high‑board diving).

Key Topics and Requirements

• Materials & construction: Requirements for physiologic compatibility, corrosion resistance, sealing and eyecup construction to ensure comfort, durability and water resistance.
• Optical properties: Procedures for assessing lens transmittance (filter categories), uniformity, scattered light, refractive and prismatic power, and acceptable visual performance for both plano and powered lenses.
• Mechanical strength & impact: Test methods for mechanical resistance, failure criteria after impact and compressive strength of assembled eyewear.
• Leakage & sealing: Tests and apparatus for leakage assessment, adhesion of foam seals and minimum optical aperture and field of view criteria.
• Retention systems: Requirements and tests for headbands and nosebridge straps including slip resistance, tensile strength and resistance to breaking.
• Optional features & claims: Guidance and test methods for photochromic, polarizing, anti‑reflective coatings, UV/blue‑light transmittance and anti‑fog performance where claimed.
• Labelling & manufacturer information: Mandatory markings, user instructions and additional information to be supplied with each product.
• Test methods & sample conditioning: Detailed procedures for sample selection, conditioning and reporting of test results.

Applications and Who Uses This Standard

ISO 18527-3:2020 is used by:

• Swimming eyewear manufacturers - to design, test and certify goggles and prescription swim lenses for compliance and market access.
• Testing laboratories & certification bodies - to perform standardized optical, mechanical and leakage testing.
• Product designers & R&D teams - to validate ergonomics, sealing and optical performance for recreational and competitive products.
• Procurement specialists and sports organizations - to specify equipment that meets recognized safety and performance benchmarks.
• Regulators and consumer safety bodies - to evaluate product claims and labeling for consumer protection.

Practical uses include product development, quality control, conformity assessment, marketing claims substantiation, and providing consumers with clear safety and use information. Note: compliance confirms suitability for surface swimming; additional standards or tests are needed for high‑impact diving or industrial PPE applications.

Related Standards

This part belongs to the ISO series on eye and face protection for sports use. Users may also reference other ISO eyewear and optical standards and applicable national regulations for complementary requirements (e.g., prescription lens standards or broader PPE regulations).