ISO 16321-1:2021
2021-03
ISO 16321-1:2021
What is ISO 16321-1 — The international safety glasses standard for eye and face protection
ISO 16321-1 sets out the general safety and performance requirements for safety glasses and eye protection used in occupational settings. It applies to a wide range of protective eyewear—both plano and prescription—including face shields and goggles designed to protect users from common workplace hazards.
This international standard is part of a larger suite of ISO documents focused on protective equipment, and works alongside ISO 18526 (test methods), ISO 18527 (sports eyewear), and the upcoming ISO 19734 (selection and maintenance guidance).
Why is ISO 16321-1 important for effective eye protection?
Millions of workplace eye injuries occur every year—and many of them could be prevented with proper eye protection. ISO 16321-1 helps manufacturers and safety officers ensure that safety glasses and face protectors meet globally accepted benchmarks for protection, durability and usability.
This standard supports risk reduction in sectors like manufacturing, construction, chemical processing, metalwork, healthcare, and educational environments. It also facilitates global trade by harmonizing safety requirements for eyewear.
Benefits
- Sets a global benchmark for the safety, performance and reliability of eye and face protectors
- Covers a wide range of hazards: impacts, splashes, dust, optical radiation, heat, and more
- Supports design and testing of both plano and prescription safety glasses
- Helps manufacturers demonstrate compliance with international standards
- Aligns with other ISO standards for sports eyewear, welding protection, and test methods
FAQ
ISO 16321-1 covers a broad range of safety glasses, including both plano and prescription-lensed protectors intended for occupational use. These may include spectacles, goggles, or face shields designed to protect against hazards like high-speed particles, splashes, heat, and optical radiation.
It does not apply to sports eyewear (see ISO 18527), solar-only sunglasses (ISO 12312), or laser-specific protection.
ISO 16321-1 ensures that eye protection used in high-risk settings meets globally harmonized safety thresholds. It provides a technical foundation for product design, quality control, and procurement specifications—making it easier for organizations to choose appropriate gear based on documented risk profiles.
For broader implementation, ISO 19734 (in development) will provide practical guidance on the selection, use, and maintenance of eye and face protectors, building on the principles defined in ISO 16321-1.
General information
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Status: PublishedPublication date: 2021-03Stage: International Standard to be revised [90.92]
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Edition: 1Number of pages: 40
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Technical Committee :ISO/TC 94/SC 6ICS :13.340.20
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Amendments
Amendments are issued when it is found that new material may need to be added to an existing standardization document. They may also include editorial or technical corrections to be applied to the existing document.
Amendment 1
Edition 2024
Life cycle
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Committee
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Approval
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Withdrawal
Amendments
Provide additional content; available for purchase; not included in the text of the existing standard.PublishedISO 16321-1:2021/Amd 1:2024
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Will be replaced by
Under developmentISO/AWI 16321-1