PURPOSE
General requirements for occupational eye and face protectors.
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01 02 
SERNEM · Eye / face protection
EN ISO 16321-1Occupational eye and face protection
General requirements for occupational eye and face protectors.
Illustrative image; verify real product conformity from markings and certificates.
TYPICAL USE
Splash, flying particles, optical radiation and other eye/face hazards.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Check EN ISO 16321-1 marking, protector type, performance markings and manufacturer instructions.
TECHNICAL CLASSES AND SELECTION
Technical distinctions within this standard
Do not select PPE by code alone. Verify the following distinctions using actual product markings and manufacturer documentation.
General protection
Select according to occupational optical and mechanical hazards.
Face shield / eyewear
Verify coverage and whether the protector needs additional eyewear.
Code and marking decoder
EN ISO 16321-1Relevant product standard; confirm applicable edition.
Class / TypeRead product-specific declared performance.
ManufacturerModel, serial, maintenance and traceability.
Where are product markings found?
On lens/frame and manufacturer information.
Check EN ISO 16321-1 marking, protector type, performance markings and manufacturer instructions.
COMPARE STANDARDS
Not interchangeable
General eye/face protection does not replace welding-specific filter requirements.
WRONG SELECTION
Field mistake
Assuming any clear spectacles protect against splash and high-energy impact.
BETTER APPROACH
Risk-based choice
Identify the hazard, then verify markings, coatings and mechanical performance.
Typical applications
01 · Metal fabrication
02 · Chemical sampling
03 · Workshop maintenance
1Verify product and standard marking.
2Check protection performance for task hazards.
3Assess whether eyewear and face shield must be combined.
4Inspect scratches or coatings that impair vision.
5Inspect frame, lens and lateral coverage.
6Check damage, service life, inspection and manufacturer instructions.