Ensuring Safety for the April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse with ISO Compliance

UTAH, UNITED STATES, 8 March 2024 – With anticipation building for the total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024, Eclipse Glasses USA is committed to ensuring that eclipse watchers experience this celestial phenomenon safely. As a leading provider of ISO compliant solar eclipse glasses, we emphasize the importance of the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard for solar eclipse glasses, a critical measure that guarantees the safety and efficacy of our products and others like them.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2:2015 specifies the requirements for safe direct viewing of the sun, addressing the needs of those who wish to observe solar eclipses or engage in sunspot viewing. This standard encompasses several critical safety parameters, including optical density, transmittance of solar radiation, and requirements for filters used in eyewear designed for direct observation of the sun.

Eclipse Glasses USA's products are rigorously tested and certified to meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 standards. This ensures that our glasses reduce the sun's brightness, known as luminosity, to a safe and comfortable level; block harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, and protect your eyes from potential damage while providing a clear view of the eclipse.

As the April 8th total solar eclipse approaches, it's crucial for observers to use only ISO-certified eclipse glasses. Non-compliant products can result in severe eye damage, including solar retinopathy, due to inadequate protection against the intense visible light and invisible radiation emitted by the sun. While not necessarily life threatening, this damage can result in permanent blotches in one’s vision.

Further complicating the eclipse glasses market, there are a number of online vendors claiming ISO compliance for their eclipse-viewing products when they do not in reality meet the standard. If in doubt, request the vendor's ISO testing results. These results should be readily available and the tests should have been conducted in an accredited US lab.

As well, the results should clearly show the quantitative testing values for luminosity, UV, and IR, meaning the actual measurement of performance. Some results will only be shown as “pass” or “fail”. Be weary of these results as they do not indicate if the lens performance is on the high or low end of the acceptable safe range. 

Also review the American Astronomical Society’s (AAS)  list of approved eclipse glasses vendors. Vendors in the AAS's list have met the AAS’s standards for approval. Do not purchase glasses from vendors not on this list.

Eclipse Glasses USA is proud to offer products that meet the highest safety standards. We encourage educators, astronomy clubs, and the public to prepare for this once-in-99-years event by securing their ISO 12312-2:2015 compliant solar eclipse glasses in advance.

ENDS