Ski Goggle Safety Standards: The Complete Guide

**The short version:** Ski goggles aren't a fashion accessory — they're Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) subject to strict standards. In Europe, the reference standard is EN ISO 18527-1:2022. In the US, it's ASTM F659. This article explains each standard, what they require, and how to read a goggle certification.

EN ISO 18527-1:2022 — The European Reference Standard

Adopted by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), **EN ISO 18527-1:2022** is the harmonised standard for downhill skiing and snowboarding goggles in the European Union. It replaces the former EN 174:2001.

It covers:

• Plano (non-prescription) goggle lenses for alpine skiing and snowboarding
• Protection against UV, rain, snow, and wind
• Optical, mechanical, and thermal requirements
• Test methods for each parameter

As a harmonised standard cited in the EU Official Journal under PPE Regulation 2016/425, a manufacturer who demonstrates conformance to EN ISO 18527-1 benefits from a **presumption of conformity** to the regulation's essential health and safety requirements.

Key Requirements of EN ISO 18527-1

ASTM F659-10 — The US Standard

In the United States, **ASTM F659-10** is the standard specification for ski and snowboard goggles. Its requirements differ from EN ISO in several areas:

• **High-mass impact:** 500 g pointed projectile dropped from 50 cm
• **Low-mass impact:** 0.88 g steel ball at 45 m/s
• **Chemical and moisture resistance**
• **UV labelling requirements**

A goggle certified to the European standard is not automatically compliant with the US standard, and vice versa. If you ski in both regions, check for both certifications.

EN 174 — The Predecessor (Now Superseded)

**EN 174:2001** was the original European standard for ski goggles. It is now **superseded** by EN ISO 18527-1:2022 since its publication in the EU Official Journal.

**Key differences from the new standard:**

• EN 174 covered alpine skiing only; ISO 18527-1 includes snowboarding
• More detailed optical requirements in the new standard (uniformity, prism imbalance)
• Updated and stricter UV limits
• Mandatory anti-fog clause (absent from EN 174)

Goggles certified to EN 174 may still be sold, but new certifications must use ISO 18527-1.

Filter Categories CAT 1–4 (ISO 12312-1)

The filter categories are defined by **ISO 12312-1** (sunglasses for general use) and adopted by the ski goggle standard:

**Important:** Categories 0 (S0) and 4 (S4) are not permitted for driving — S4 is much too dark, S0 provides no solar protection.

UV400 — The Ultraviolet Protection Threshold

UV400 means the lens blocks 100 % of ultraviolet radiation up to 400 nm, covering both **UV-A (315–400 nm)** and **UV-B (280–315 nm)**.

**Why 400 nm?** UV radiation reaching the earth's surface extends to approximately 400 nm. Beyond that is visible violet light. A UV400 lens stops everything potentially harmful to the cornea, lens, and retina.

**Special consideration for skiing:** Altitude increases UV exposure by 30–50 % per 1000 m. Fresh snow reflects up to 80 % of UV rays. A skier receives significantly higher UV doses than a pedestrian at sea level — making verified UV400 certification critical.

PPE Category II — EU Regulation 2016/425

Ski goggles are classified as **Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Category II** under EU Regulation 2016/425.

This means:

• The manufacturer must have the product assessed by a **notified body** (e.g. TÜV, SGS, Intertek)
• Conformity is attested by a **EU declaration of conformity**
• **CE marking** must appear on the product
• Products must include user information

Category II covers **serious** risks (eye protection against UV and impacts). It's stricter than Category I (minor risks) but less stringent than Category III (mortal risks).

The Impact Test — Steel Ball Drop

The most illustrative mechanical test is the **steel ball drop**:

• **Mass:** 43 g (bearing ball size)
• **Drop height:** 130 cm
• **Temperature:** -10 °C (polycarbonate becomes more brittle in cold)
• **Pass criteria:** Goggle stays on headform, lens is not penetrated, frame does not fragment

This test simulates impact from a projectile (gravel, ice, branch) at moderate speed. For high-speed impacts (fall, tree), the standard does not guarantee full face protection — it tests the goggle alone, not the entire head/eye area.

DAMO and Safety Standards — What to Know

DAMO lens samples were measured by the supplier (Pink.pdf, Dream blue.pdf, gold.pdf) to **ISO/DIS 18527-1:2022**. Separately, The Original was tested by **Intertek** (CNAS-accredited lab, Wenzhou) to **EN ISO 18527-1:2022**.

**Key results:**

• UV-B transmission: 0.00 % across all variants
• UV-A transmission: 0.00 % across all variants
• 380–400 nm transmission: ≤ 0.05 %

FAQ

**Q: What's the difference between EN 174 and EN ISO 18527-1?** A: ISO 18527-1 replaces EN 174. It adds snowboarding to the scope, tightens UV requirements, makes anti-fog testing mandatory, and refines optical measurements (uniformity, prism imbalance).

**Q: Must goggles sold in Europe be certified?** A: Yes. As Category II PPE, the manufacturer must demonstrate conformity and affix CE marking. Without it, the product cannot be legally sold in the EU.

**Q: Is ASTM F659 certification valid in Europe?** A: No. Europe requires EN ISO 18527-1. The two standards differ in test methods and criteria. An ASTM-certified goggle is not automatically compliant in Europe.

**Q: Is UV400 testing mandatory?** A: The standard mandates specific UV transmission limits — UV400 is the industry benchmark that exceeds these requirements. The "UV400" label itself isn't regulated, but the measured values are.

**Q: Do children need different standards?** A: The same standards apply (EN ISO 18527-1). However, size and field of view must be appropriate for a child's face shape. Look for goggles specifically designed for young skiers.

Sources

• EN ISO 18527-1:2022 — Skiing and snowboarding goggles — Requirements (https://www.iso.org/standard/62788.html)
• ASTM F659-10(2018) — Standard Specification for Ski and Snowboard Goggles (https://blog.ansi.org/ansi/standard-specification-ski-snowboard-goggles)
• EN 174:2001 — Ski goggles (superseded)
• EN ISO 12312-1:2022 — Sunglasses filter categories
• EU Regulation 2016/425 — Personal Protective Equipment (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/425/oj)
• Intertek SHAH01697484 — Test report [internal supplier report]
• ANSI Blog — "ISO 18527-1:2021—Skiing and Snowboarding Goggles" (https://blog.ansi.org/ansi/iso-18527-1-2021-skiing-and-snowboarding-goggles)
• QIMA — "Sports Eyewear Testing – IAS and CNAS Accredited Labs" (https://www.qima.com/consumer-products/lab-testing/sports-eyewear-goggles)
• ZIONOR — "Introduction to International Safety Standards for Ski Goggles" (https://zionor.com/blogs/your-exercise-expert/introduction-to-international-safety-standards-for-ski-goggles)

**Related articles:** [How to Choose Ski Goggles](/en/blog/how-to-choose-ski-goggles) · [Cylindrical vs Spherical vs Toric Lenses](/en/blog/lens-shape-guide) · [UV Protection in Ski Goggles: The Complete Guide](/en/blog/uv-protection-guide) · [DAMO vs Julbo](/en/blog/damo-vs-julbo) · [How to Clean Ski Goggle Lenses](/en/blog/clean-care-goggle-lenses)