The short answer: UV400 is the clearest promise: it blocks light up to 400 nanometers, essentially all UVA and UVB. Regional standards add rules: CE for Europe, ANSI Z80.3 in the US, and AS/NZS in Australia and New Zealand, which has some of the strictest UV requirements. For eye safety, look for UV400 or a recognized standard, not just a dark tint.
Why standards exist
A dark lens tells you nothing about UV protection, so labels and standards exist to certify what a lens actually blocks. They set minimum UV limits, define tint categories, and in some regions cover impact and labeling. Knowing the main ones helps you read a tag and trust it, instead of guessing from how dark the lens looks.
The main standards
| Standard | Region | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| UV400 | Global marketing term | Blocks up to 400nm, essentially all UVA and UVB |
| CE (EN ISO 12312-1) | Europe | UV limits, tint categories, safety labeling |
| ANSI Z80.3 | United States | UV, tint, and optical quality for non-prescription sunglasses |
| AS/NZS 1067 | Australia and New Zealand | Strict UV categories 0 to 4, mandatory labeling |
What UV400 really means
UV rays that reach the ground fall below 400 nanometers, so a lens that blocks everything up to 400nm blocks essentially all of it. That is why UV400 is the number to look for; it is a plain, high bar. It is a marketing label rather than a legal standard, but a reputable UV400 lens meets the same protection the regional standards require. See what UV400 means.
Tint categories are separate
Standards also rate how dark a lens is, on a scale of category 0 to 4, which controls how much visible light passes through. Darkness is about comfort and glare, not UV. A category 4 lens is very dark but still needs UV certification, and category 4 is not legal for driving. We cover this in sunglasses lens categories. Do not read darkness as protection.
From our test bench. We meter lenses against their labels. Genuine UV400 and standards-marked lenses blocked UV fully, dark or light. The failures were unlabeled bargain lenses that looked plenty dark but let UV through, the exact trap the standards exist to prevent. If a pair carries UV400 or a recognized standard mark, trust the label over your eyes.
FAQ
What is the difference between UV400 and CE?
UV400 is a global marketing term meaning the lens blocks up to 400 nanometers, essentially all UVA and UVB. CE is Europe's regulatory mark covering UV limits, tint categories, and labeling. A reputable UV400 lens meets the same UV protection.
Which sunglasses UV standard is the strictest?
Australia and New Zealand's AS/NZS 1067 is among the strictest, with defined UV categories and mandatory labeling. In practice, any lens that genuinely meets UV400 gives essentially full UV protection.
Does a darker lens mean more UV protection?
No. Darkness controls glare and comfort, not UV. A dark lens without UV certification is worse than none. Look for UV400 or a recognized standard, not just a dark tint.
Part of Sunglasses Lenses Guide · Related: sunglasses lens categories · Shop sunglasses · Last updated: August 5, 2026
