Global Safety Eyewear Standards Explained: ANSI, EN ISO, AS/NZS & MIL-SPEC
For PPE brands and industrial safety suppliers, safety eyewear requirements vary by market and application.
The U.S., Europe, Australia and military sectors each follow different standards, testing methods and product markings. Here is a quick overview of the major safety eyewear standards used internationally.
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 – United States
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 is the main U.S. standard for occupational eye and face protection.
The current edition is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025. It covers impact resistance, optical performance, product markings and protection against different workplace hazards.
Z87+ is one of the most recognized markings and is used for eyewear meeting applicable high-impact requirements.
EN ISO 16321 – Europe
Europe previously relied mainly on EN 166 for occupational eye protection.
The market has now transitioned toward EN ISO 16321, which is based on the international ISO 16321 framework.
It covers protection against hazards such as impact, flying particles, dust, liquid splash and optical radiation.
Safety eyewear sold as PPE in the European Union must also meet applicable CE and EU PPE requirements.
AS/NZS 1337.1 and AS 16321.1 – Australia
AS/NZS 1337.1 has long been the main occupational eye protection standard used in Australia and New Zealand.
Australia introduced the new AS 16321.1:2026, which is based on ISO 16321-1 with Australian modifications.
The new standard represents Australia's move toward greater alignment with the international ISO 16321 system.
MIL-PRF-32432 – Military Ballistic Eyewear
Military and tactical eyewear requires a different level of protection from standard industrial safety glasses.
MIL-PRF-32432 is a U.S. military specification covering combat eye protection against ballistic hazards, flying debris and other operational risks.
MIL-SPEC ballistic protection should not be considered equivalent to standard industrial requirements such as ANSI Z87+.
Which Safety Eyewear Standard Do You Need?
The appropriate safety eyewear standard depends on:
Target market
Intended use
Required impact protection
Lens type and coating
Product design and coverage
For PPE brands, these requirements should be confirmed before production and testing.
OEM / ODM Safety Eyewear Manufacturing
Greatland provides OEM and ODM safety eyewear manufacturing for PPE brands, industrial safety suppliers and distributors.
We support existing safety eyewear styles as well as customized frame colors, lenses, coatings, branding, packaging and testing arrangements for different international markets.
