What Safety Gate found
Safety Gate has reported that specific red laser safety glasses sold online, notably via eBay, fail to provide the level of protection claimed. The authorities identified that these glasses do not comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulation, presenting a serious risk of retinal damage and vision impairment when used in environments with laser radiation.
Why this matters
Laser safety glasses are essential for operators working with open-beam or service-access situations involving Class 3B and Class 4 lasers. If the eyewear does not block the specific wavelengths it claims to filter, the user remains exposed to the full intensity of the laser beam, which can cause instantaneous and permanent eye damage.
What buyers should check
- Always verify that safety eyewear is CE marked and accompanied by a declaration of conformity.
- Ensure the product specifies the exact optical density (OD) and wavelength range it is designed to filter.
- Purchase safety equipment from reputable suppliers rather than unverified online marketplaces.
- Avoid generic, non-branded eyewear that lacks technical documentation or testing certification.
Official source
Safety Gate reference: A12/01565/21. See full details at: https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/webReport/alertDetail/10004664
European Commission Safety Gate
Alert A12/01565/21. Open the Commission record to inspect the source information directly.
Open official alert