EN 166 basic personal eye and face protection requirements
EN 166 is the general European standard for basic technical requirements for all safety glasses, wide-view glasses and face shields. This standard only covers the basic requirements of safety glasses and does not deal with specific forms of eye protection. EN 166 includes information on optical class, mechanical resistance and a number of optional technical properties.
It is important that safety glasses do not cause fatigue or headaches. Eye and face protection is therefore classified into several optical classes. The EN 166 standardisation additionally deals with the mechanical resistance of PPE. The meaning of these markings can be found in the overview below. When the letter 'T' is added, the item also protects against impact at extreme temperatures, from -5 to +55 degrees Celsius. Finally, you will find a list of markings for specific areas of application.
Class 2 is suitable for intermittent use (dioptre 2.12)
Class 3 is suitable for exceptional use (dioptre 3.25)
A 'B' marking indicates medium resistance (120 m/s)
An 'A' marking indicates high resistance (190 m/s)
A 'T' marking indicates that the item is suitable for use at extreme temperatures
A '4' marking indicates protection against large dust particles.
A '5' marking indicates protection against gas and small dust particles.
An '8' marking indicates protection against electrical arc discharges due to short circuits.
A '9' marking indicates protection against splashes of molten metals and hot solids.
A 'K' marking indicates scratch-resistant eye protection.
An 'N' marking indicates that the glasses cannot fog up and condensation cannot form on them.
It is important that safety glasses do not cause fatigue or headaches. Eye and face protection is therefore classified into several optical classes. The EN 166 standardisation additionally deals with the mechanical resistance of PPE. The meaning of these markings can be found in the overview below. When the letter 'T' is added, the item also protects against impact at extreme temperatures, from -5 to +55 degrees Celsius. Finally, you will find a list of markings for specific areas of application.
Optical class:
Class 1 is suitable for continuous use (diopter 1.06)Class 2 is suitable for intermittent use (dioptre 2.12)
Class 3 is suitable for exceptional use (dioptre 3.25)
Mechanical resistance:
An 'S' marking indicates minimum resistance (12 m/s)An 'F' marking indicates low resistance (45 m/s)A 'B' marking indicates medium resistance (120 m/s)
An 'A' marking indicates high resistance (190 m/s)
A 'T' marking indicates that the item is suitable for use at extreme temperatures
Specific areas of application:
A '3' marking indicates protection against liquid droplets.A '4' marking indicates protection against large dust particles.
A '5' marking indicates protection against gas and small dust particles.
An '8' marking indicates protection against electrical arc discharges due to short circuits.
A '9' marking indicates protection against splashes of molten metals and hot solids.
A 'K' marking indicates scratch-resistant eye protection.
An 'N' marking indicates that the glasses cannot fog up and condensation cannot form on them.