Requirements for sunglasses in Australia
Sunglasses cannot be sold in Australia unless they have been tested to the mandatory safety standard, Consumer Goods (Sunglasses and Fashion Spectacles) Safety Standard 2017. The accompanying Explanatory Statement has further information.
The mandatory standard is based on certain sections of the voluntary Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1067.1:2016 Eye and face protection - sunglasses and fashion spectacles.
It is the obligation of the retailer, distributor or importer of sunglasses to check and comply with the mandatory safety standard as it is enforced by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission.
How does the ARPANSA sunglass testing service work?
To test sunglasses with ARPANSA:
Step 1 - Complete the sunglass testing request webform.
Step 2 - Send your sunglass samples to us.
Step 3 - We test the glasses, and return results within 10 business days.
How much does it cost?
| Type of lenses | Cost per sample (including Australian GST) | Cost per sample (excluding Australian GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Uniformly tinted | $191.00 | $173.64 |
| Polarised | $219.00 | $199.09 |
| Gradient tinted | $251.00 | $228.18 |
Prices quoted are in Australian dollars.
Some types of lenses require more time-consuming testing procedures and the charges reflect the amount of work involved.
How long does it take?
It takes up to 10 working days for ARPANSA to test the samples and provide a result.
What type of glasses do you test?
ARPANSA measures the transmission properties of uniformly tinted, polarised, gradient tinted, gradient polarised lenses, in the form of:
- non-prescription sunglasses mounted in a spectacle frame
- rimless sunshields and one-piece visors
- clip-on and slip-on type sunglasses
- children’s sunglasses (not toy sunglasses)
- fashion spectacles and light tint sunglasses.
What Standards do you follow?
We test to the Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1067.1:2016: Eye and face protection – Sunglasses and fashion spectacles. To assist in labelling your products, we test to these sections of the standard:
- 4.1 Construction
- 4.2 Filter material and quality
- 5.2 Transmittance and filter categories
- 5.3 General transmittance requirements
- 11 Eye coverage and field of view.
NOTE: If you need testing to all parts of the AS/NZS 1067.1:2016, or a NATA accredited report then please refer to NATA https://nata.com.au/find-organisation/)
ARPANSA test reports are best for determining UV protection, ARPANSA Eye Protection Factor reporting, the mandatory Australian sunglass labelling requirements and ensuring the quality of lenses you are offering are suitably uniform within and between lenses (recommended for each batch of glasses imported).
A copy of the sunglass standard is available for purchase from Standards Australia.
What if my sunglasses meet international standards?
If you have test reports done to other international sunglass standards, then you only need to test:
- Section 5.2 - Transmittance and filter categories
- Section 5.3.1 - Uniformity of luminous transmittance
- Section 5.3.2 - Requirements for road use and driving
Where do I send sunglasses for testing
After completing the form, you can send your sunglass samples to:
UVR Services
ARPANSA
619 Lower Plenty Road
Yallambie VIC 3085
Australia
Please note that sunglasses sent to ARPANSA cannot be returned. The testing procedures require the lenses be removed from the frame, marked and in some cases cut into smaller pieces.
Sample sunglass report
Re-issue of test reports
If you require changes to a test report after it has been issued, a processing charge of $35 per report will apply.
Other resources
- The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) summarises the requirements for sunglasses on their webpage Sunglasses & Fashion Spectacles
- ARPANSA also publishes a fact sheet on sunglasses and protection from solar UVR.
