Discover Sunglasses Categories

How do you choose the one that's right for you?

Sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory, but also a necessity to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to know which category to choose. In France, according to the NF EN ISO 12312-1 2013Sunglasses are classified into 5 categories, ranging from 0 to 4. Each category offers a different level of protection depending on the intensity of the light and the environment in which you find yourself. In this article, we explain each category of sunglasses to help you make an informed choice.

Figure 1. Categories of Sunglasses

Sunglasses from category 0 are the lightest and clearest. They are often almost transparent, with a very light tint that blocks only a very small amount of light. This type of glasses is generally for cloudy days or indoors where light levels are low, as they do not provide effective protection against UV rays.

Categories 1 and 2 are suitable for low and medium sunlight levels. Category 1 is associated with the symbol of a cloud partially obscuring the sun and is suitable for moderate light conditions, such as cloudy days when sunlight is partially filtered by clouds. The category 2 is associated with a cloudless sun with 8 rays and the symbol of category 3 with 16 rays representing environments with strong natural light.

Glasses from category 4 offer optimum protection against intense light and UV rays. They are specially designed for extremely bright environments, such as glaciers, high mountains or highly reflective areas such as the sea. For people living in urban areas or on holiday at the beach, category 2 and 3 glasses are generally preferred, offering protection suitable for moderate to strong light conditions.

You can find the categories in our product descriptions and in the product leaflets.