How to read eye protection markings?

Do you know how to read eye protection markings? 

Looking closely at a safety spectacle, goggle or faceshield, you will see a series of letters and numbers printed or embossed on the product, often in several places. While these might look like barcodes or serial numbers, each character relates to a performance feature or field of use for the product.

Use this guide to decode eye and face protection markings. 

It is important to understand the meaning of product markings in order to check performance levels and determine the appropriate applications. The markings may seem difficult to decipher but, with this guide, safety spectacles, goggles and faceshields will be easy reading.

Optical class 

Optical class refers to the optical quality and clarity of the lens.

1   Suitable for continuous use (highest)

2   Suitable for intermittent use

3   Not intended for long-term use (lowest)

-   This marking is shown on the lens only.

-   Most personal eye protection, including all JSP eye and face protection, is optical class 1.

Lens shade

The lens shade relates to the type of filtering provided by the lens.

2-   UV protection

2C-   UV protection with good colour recognition

5-   UV and solar protection

-   This marking is shown on the lens, and transparent housing where applicable (for example, a clear goggle body).

-   An alternative marking for UV with good colour recognition is ‘3-‘but it is rarely used. 

Light transmission

This refers to the amount of light that can pass through the lens.

1.2   74.4% - 100% (clear)

1.7   43.2% - 58.1% (indoor / outdoor)

2.5   17.8% - 29.1% (light smoke)

3.5   8.0% - 17.8% (dark smoke)

-   Light transmission markings are shown on the lens, and transparent housing / frame where applicable (for example, a clear goggle body).

-   The lens shade and light transmission markings are shown together, for example 2C-1.2.

Impact resistance 

A   Withstands high-speed particles, high energy impact (faceshields only)

B   Withstands high-speed particles, medium energy impact (goggles and faceshields only)

F   Withstands high-speed particles, low energy impact

S   Increased robustness (applicable to mesh eye protectors)

T   Impact resistance at extremes of temperature (-5°C to +55°C)

-   The letter ‘T’ is shown immediately after the impact marking, for example AT.

-   Impact markings are shown on both the lens and frame / housing. 

-   Products are suitable for use to the lowest marking – for example, if a browguard is marked F but the visor fitted is marked S, the combination provides S-rated increased robustness only. 

Field of use markings

Numbers denoting fields of use for the eye protector follow the impact marking.

3   Liquid droplets / splash – Resistant to liquid droplets (goggle) or liquid splash (faceshield). Not applicable to spectacles.

4    Large dust particles (> 5 microns) – Resistant to large dust particles. Only applicable to goggles (indirect-vented or non-vented).

5   Fine dust particles (< 5 microns) and gases – Resistant to fine dust particles and gas hazards. Only applicable to goggles (non-vented). 

8   Short circuit electric arc – Resistant to short circuit electric arc (see additional markings section below).

9   Molten metals and hot solids – Resistant to penetration by molten metals and hot solids. Not applicable to spectacles. 

-   ‘8’ and ‘9’ markings are shown on the lens and frame / housing of applicable eye protectors.

-   Products are suitable for use to the lowest marking – for example, if a browguard is marked ‘9’ but the visor is not, the combination is not suitable for use against molten metals. 

Additional markings

Lens options:

K - Resistance to surface damage by fine particles (anti-scratch)

Commonly referred to as anti-scratch, a ‘K’ marking indicates the product passed optional testing for resistance to surface damage by fine particles, offering resistance to scuffs and scratches in use.

N - Resistance to fogging (anti-mist)

The ‘N’ marking shows the product passed optional testing for resistance to fogging, often called anti-mist, helping to prevent misting up in cold weather and at high work rates.

• K & N markings follow impact and field of use markings.
• K & N markings are shown on the lens only.

Electric arc:

8-1-0** Fault arc class (GS-ET-29) – The short circuit electric arc ‘8’ marking followed by two numbers separated by dashes is an additional marking under the GS-ET-29 arc flash faceshield standard.                             

**Example marking (fault arc class 1, light transmission class 0)

Conformity and manufacturer identification:

European conformity marking – Conformity marking showing product meets European PPE legislation.

UK conformity marking – Conformity marking showing product meets UK PPE legislation.

EN 166 

Standard marking – Conformity marking showing product meets the EN 166 personal eye protection standard.

Manufacturer’s trademark – Products are marked with a trademark symbol unique to each manufacturer.                           

*Example marking for JSP products

How to select the correct eye & face protection? 

Learn about different types of eye protection.

Find out more about our range of Eye Protection and Face Protection.

Have more questions on eye protection? Check out our Eye Protection FAQ.

Take a look at our new Eye and Face Protection Guide. 

How can we help?

If you have any questions please contact us and our team will be happy to help with supply, usage or correct application of our products.