Overview
EN ISO 18526-2:2020 - Eye and face protection - Test methods - Part 2: Physical optical properties - is a CEN-adopted ISO reference standard that specifies test methods for determining the physical optical properties of personal eye and face protectors. It defines measurement principles, uncertainty requirements and reporting formats for optical performance metrics used in PPE evaluation. This document is a reference for laboratories and manufacturers assessing filter and lens optical performance and does not apply when a product requirements standard mandates different methods. Alternative methods may be used only if demonstrated equivalent and having measurement uncertainties no greater than the reference method.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard organizes test methods and reporting rules for core optical characteristics, including:
- Luminous transmittance - calculation from spectral values, broadband measurement procedures, uniformity checks, and matching between left/right reference points.
- Ultraviolet (UV) transmittance - spectral and mean values, solar UV, UV‑A and UV‑B metrics and reporting requirements.
- Blue‑light transmittance - solar and artificial-source calculations and broadband measurement methods.
- Infrared (IR) transmittance - near‑IR, IR‑A, IR‑B and solar IR measurement/calculation guidance.
- Spectral reflectance - specular, total (specular included/excluded) and defined measurement geometries (e.g., 0°/45°).
- Luminous reflectance and scattered light - measurement and reporting conventions for visual performance.
- General test rules - positioning/direction of measurement, prescribed wavelength intervals, uncertainty of measurement and required contents of the test report.
The standard emphasizes traceable measurement, specified uncertainty limits, and standardized reporting to ensure comparability across test labs and manufacturers.
Applications
EN ISO 18526-2:2020 is practical for:
- Manufacturers validating optical performance of safety goggles, face shields and filter lenses.
- Accredited test laboratories performing certification, conformance testing and product development.
- Certification and regulatory authorities verifying compliance with optical properties required by PPE product standards.
- R&D and design teams optimizing lens coatings, tints and filters to meet user-visibility and protection criteria.
Who should use this standard
- PPE manufacturers and quality engineers
- Independent testing and calibration laboratories
- Certification bodies and compliance assessors
- Occupational safety professionals and product designers
Related standards
This document is part of the ISO/CEN framework for eye and face protection test methods. Product requirement standards or other parts of the test-method series may specify different or additional methods; EN ISO 18526-2:2020 is the reference approach for physical optical property measurements unless superseded by a specific requirements standard.
Keywords: EN ISO 18526-2:2020, eye and face protection, test methods, optical properties, luminous transmittance, UV transmittance, blue-light, infrared, spectral reflectance, PPE testing.
