ISO 25980:2023

Overview

ISO 25980:2023 specifies safety requirements and test methods for transparent welding curtains, strips and screens used around arc welding operations. The standard is intended to protect bystanders and nearby workers from harmful optical radiation (UV, blue light) and spatter, while still allowing visual access to the workspace. These products are designed for use at distances of at least 1 m from the arc and are not a substitute for welding filters used for intentional viewing.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Transmittance limits
  • Effective ultraviolet transmittance (τUV): less than 0.002 % (200–400 nm).
  • Effective blue‑light transmittance (τB): less than 1.0 % (300–700 nm).
  • Luminous transmittance (τV, D65): classified into grades
    • Light: 29.0–100 %
    • Medium: 8.5–29.0 %
    • Dark: 1.0–8.5 %
    • Extra dark: 0.02–1.0 %
• Resistance to UV degradation
  • Material must retain spectral protection after xenon‑arc exposure and show ≤ ±20 % relative change in luminous transmittance.
• Flame spread and fire performance
  • When tested, flames must not reach the test mark, must self‑extinguish after burner removal, and not continue to glow for >3.0 s.
• Mechanical integrity
  • Seams and eyelets (for curtains < 0.5 mm thickness) must resist tearing and eyelet removal under specified tests.
• Test conditions and methods
  • Spectral transmittance testing follows ISO 18526‑2 and sample conditioning at (23 ± 5) °C, RH < 70 % for ≥16 h. Formulas for weighted transmittances are given in the standard.

Applications and users

ISO 25980 supports safe workplace design and product specification for:

• Manufacturers of transparent welding curtains, screens and strips
• Safety engineers, occupational health teams and PPE specifiers
• Workshop managers, welding supervisors and procurement officers selecting separation screens
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors performing spectral and mechanical testing

Typical applications include factory partitions, shop‑floor welding bays, maintenance areas and inspection stations where visibility into welding areas is required without exposing personnel to excessive optical radiation or spatter.

Related standards

• ISO 18526‑2 / ISO 18526‑3 (test methods for optical and mechanical properties)
• ISO 4007, ISO/CIE 11664‑1 / ‑2 (colorimetry and terminology)
• ISO 16321‑1 and ISO 16321‑2 (protection for intentional viewing of welding arcs)
• ISO 19818‑1 (laser radiation protection - not covered by ISO 25980)

Keywords: ISO 25980, transparent welding curtains, welding screens, arc welding safety, optical radiation protection, UV transmittance, blue‑light transmittance, luminous transmittance, welding safety standards.