Tucson, AZ, March 27, 2024 –– Millions of counterfeit glasses flood the US. Without a manufacturer’s address printed on the glasses, they cannot meet all ISO requirements for eclipse viewers.
Lunt Solar Systems, the world’s leading solar astronomy company and a trusted supplier of solar telescopes to researchers, universities and observatories is issuing an urgent call to action for anyone planning to view the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. With millions of counterfeit eclipse glasses entering the market, Lunt Solar Systems stresses the importance of verifying the authenticity of eclipse glasses to ensure they meet the stringent International Organization for Standardization (ISO) requirements.
The path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse will cross several major cities across North America, including Mazatlán, Mexico; Dallas, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; and Buffalo, New York, providing residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to witness this celestial event.
The Dangers of Counterfeit Eclipse Glasses
Lunt Solar Systems has observed a worrying trend of counterfeit eclipse glasses being sold through various platforms, including retail and online marketplaces. These counterfeit products often have fake or partially obscured ISO testing documents, failing to meet the critical safety standards necessary for safe eclipse viewing.
“We’re seeing counterfeit glasses on every platform, and at retailers and online marketplaces. The ISO documents featured on these listings or at POS are usually either faked or partially obscured to block the elements of the standard that the glasses failed. One of those elements is that there has to be a manufacturer’s physical address printed on the glasses. If your glasses do not have an address, then the glasses did not pass 100% of the ISO certification requirements regardless of what they advertise,” said Andrew Lunt, CEO of Lunt Solar Systems.
How to Ensure Your Eclipse Glasses Are Safe
Lunt Solar Systems advises eclipse viewers to look for the manufacturer’s name and address printed on their eclipse glasses, a key indicator of adherence to ISO 12312-2 international safety standards. Glasses lacking this information should be considered as potentially unsafe and returned immediately.
“People have been told to look for the ISO logo on the glasses, but a lot of these fake glasses use an ISO logo without being fully ISO compliant. We’re advising people to look for both an ISO logo as well as both the name and physical address of the manufacturer printed on the product, because without the address, the product cannot pass all ISO requirements,” said Lunt.
General Eye Safety for Solar Eclipses
Viewing a solar eclipse requires proper eye protection. Eclipse glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for safe solar viewing. It’s essential to inspect glasses for any damage before the eclipse and to supervise children using eclipse glasses.