After 47 years, the United Kingdom (UK) departed from the European Union (EU) in what became colloquially known as ‘Brexit’ in 2020.
Until then, all sunglasses distributed and sold in the UK were assessed and confirmed for use by the EU, signified via the internationally recognised CE marking.
However, due to Brexit, a new product marking is now required which is why you might’ve noticed the UKCA logo marked on your shades.
This article explains the UKCA sunglasses marking and what it means in full detail.
What does UKCA mean on sunglasses?
UKCA is an acronym for UK Conformity Assessed, indicating that the sunglasses comply with UK’s technical requirements for safety, health, and UV protection.
For you, this means the lenses are capable of ultraviolet protection against invisible solar radiation up to 380 nanometres (nm). This blocks-out the most damaging frequencies of UVA and UVB light to protect your eyes and surrounding skin.
Incidentally, the UKCA sunglasses requirements are near identical to those of European ones under the BS EN ISO 1836:2005 standard. However, due to Brexit, the UKCA marking is now mandatory for sunglasses sold in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales).
In case you’re wondering, Northern Ireland continues to observe the former CE regulations for sunglasses due their market-ties with the Republic of Ireland.
Do sunglasses need a CE mark?
All sunglasses distributed and sold within the European Union are legally required to bear the official CE mark. This signifies that they meet the minimum safety standards and provide UV protection up to 380nm.
Regardless of where you live, you’ll likely see both the CE and UKCA markings on many sunglasses frames as of the 1
Fun fact: Because our sunglasses are handmade here in the UK, we could just use the UKCA marking for our British customers. But as we export all around the world, we use both the CE and UKCA markings on our frames. (You’ll find them engraved on each of our temple arms.)
What is the UK standard for sunglasses?
The UK standard for non-prescription sunglasses is BS EN ISO 1836:2005 signified by the UKCA marking. This standard outlines the safety and performance requirements for sunglasses, including UV protection, optical clarity, and impact resistance. This mark is applicable to all afocal (plano power) sunglasses and clip-ons for general use, including road use and driving.
The UK standard for prescription sunglasses is BS EN ISO 12312-1:2013.
Is CE mark a quality mark?
No, the CE mark is not a quality mark. It’s simply a certification that the sunglasses comply with the essential health, safety, and UV protection standards required in the European Union. The CE mark shows that the product meets these technical requirements but does not necessarily indicate superior quality.
What is the best rating for sunglasses?
In terms of UV protection, the best rating for sunglasses is UV400, sometimes written as UV40 or 100% UV. This means the lenses block 99-100% of ultraviolet light ranging up to 400nm (nanometres). This rating slightly exceeds the minimum sunglasses standards set by the UK and EU of ultraviolet protection up to 380nm.
UV protection is the primary function of any sunglasses, which is why UV400 is considered as the best rating for your eyes and skin.
But know this…
Darker lenses do not provide better UV protection. Dark lenses simply absorb more visible light (white light) for visual comfort, whilst moderately dark lenses absorb less visible light.
This is why light ‘fashion tints’ let people see your eyes more easily but aren’t so great for super-bright, sunny days.
Visible light absorption simply controls lens darkness which is measured as a percentage known as ABS%. This percentage is what determines the five sunglasses categories which you can read more about here.
So you know, most sunglasses are rated as category 3. This level of darkness absorbs enough visible light (approx. 80%) to give you enough visual comfort for most tasks.
What sunglasses are legal for driving in the UK?
For driving in the UK, sunglasses with category 0, 1, or 2 lenses are generally recommended. This is because they aren’t too dark that they obscure traffic signals, brake lights and indicators etc.
Your regular category 3 sunglasses are totally fine for driving too, but are typically too dark for safe driving in low-light conditions, dawn or dusk. (Instinctively, you’ll probably not feel the need to wear your sunglasses at these times of day anyway.)
Category 4 sunglasses, which are very dark, are not suitable and deemed illegal for driving in the UK. These lenses absorb far too much light (more than 85%) thus making it dangerously difficult to detect traffic signals etc. These sunglasses are more suited towards high-exposure scenarios such as mountaineering.
How do I know if my sunglasses have UV protection UK?
To ensure your sunglasses provide adequate UV protection, check for a label or marking that indicates 100% UV protection or UV400. These labels mean the sunglasses block 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. The presence of a UKCA or CE mark also indicates that the sunglasses meet the required safety standards, including UV protection.
Should I get Category 3 or 4 sunglasses?
The darkest sunglasses you should choose to buy and wear are Category 3. These sunglasses are suitably dark for most outdoor activities, providing good visual comfort by absorbing around 80% of visible light. Category 4 sunglasses offer very dark lenses which aren’t suitable for driving. Lenses this dark are only for extreme sun-exposure conditions such as skiing or mountaineering.
What do the 3 numbers on sunglasses mean?
The three numbers labelled on sunglasses typically refer to the frame's measurements: lens width, bridge width, and temple (arm) length – all measured in millimetres. For example, "52-18-140" means a lens width of 52mm, a bridge width of 18mm, and a temple length of 140mm. These measurements are always written in this order and can help guide you towards the right size of frame for you.
Hopefully, you found this article helpful.
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