About ISO12312-2.com
An independent educational resource created by solar industry experts to protect eclipse viewers from counterfeit and unsafe products.
Protecting Eyes, Saving Sight
"To provide the public with accurate, unbiased information about solar eye safety standards and to rigorously verify that manufacturers actually meet ISO 12312-2 requirements—because when it comes to your vision, there is no room for compromise."
Every solar eclipse brings wonder and excitement to millions of viewers around the world. But it also brings danger: counterfeit "ISO certified" eclipse glasses flood the market, putting countless people at risk of permanent retinal damage.
ISO12312-2.com exists to fill a critical gap in public safety. We provide clear, accurate information about what the ISO 12312-2 standard actually requires, and we independently verify that manufacturers meet those requirements before including them on our approved list.
Why This Resource Is Needed
🎯 Our Position
This website verifies FULL ISO 12312-2 compliance—not "probably safe." A product either meets ALL requirements of the standard, or it does not. There is no partial credit. We do not make subjective judgments about whether a non-compliant product is "safe enough."
⚠ The Standards Erosion Problem
In 2024, certain organizations that published lists of "safe" eclipse glasses suppliers made a troubling decision: they concluded that the ISO 12312-2 testing requirements were "too strict" and took it upon themselves to include sellers whose products did not fully meet the standard.
Specifically, companies were being listed as compliant when their products only met the transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2:2015, while failing to meet:
- Labeling requirements — proper manufacturer identification, warnings, and usage instructions
- Packaging requirements — required safety information and storage guidance
- Uniformity requirements — consistent optical density across the filter surface
- Material and surface quality requirements — freedom from defects that could impair safety
When challenged on this approach, the response was that these organizations felt the products were "safe" even if they didn't meet the complete standard. This fundamentally misunderstands how safety standards work.
The Standard Exists for a Reason
ISO 12312-2 was developed by international experts who understood that eye safety requires more than just blocking the right amount of light. The labeling requirements exist so consumers can identify the manufacturer and verify authenticity. The uniformity requirements exist because a filter with inconsistent density could have dangerous "hot spots." The packaging requirements exist to ensure products aren't damaged before use.
When an organization decides to override these requirements based on their own judgment of what's "safe enough," they are substituting their opinion for the collective expertise of the international standards community. They are also making it impossible for consumers to distinguish between truly compliant products and products that only partially meet the standard.
📋 The EU Got It Right
While some organizations were arguing that ISO 12312-2 was too strict, the European Union moved in the opposite direction—making requirements stricter by classifying eclipse glasses as PPE Category 2 devices requiring Notified Body certification and formal Declarations of Conformity. The EU understood that when it comes to eye safety, the answer is more rigor, not less.
We created ISO12312-2.com because the public deserves a resource that takes the actual standard seriously. Our verification process requires manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with ALL requirements of ISO 12312-2—not just the ones that are convenient or easy to test.
What Makes Us Different
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Independent Verification
We don't just accept certificates at face value. We verify that testing laboratories are actually accredited under the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement specifically for ISO 12312-2 testing.
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Technical Expertise
Our team includes professionals with decades of experience in solar telescope design, precision optics manufacturing, and optical testing. We understand what these standards actually mean at a technical level.
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No Conflicts of Interest
We do not charge manufacturers to be listed on our approved list. Our verification process is the same for everyone, regardless of company size or industry relationships.
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Transparency
We clearly explain what we verify, how we verify it, and what our limitations are. We're upfront about who we are and why we created this resource.
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Education First
Beyond just listing approved manufacturers, we provide comprehensive educational resources to help the public understand what makes eclipse glasses safe and how to identify counterfeit products.
Decades of Solar Industry Experience
ISO12312-2.com was created by professionals with extensive, hands-on experience in solar observation products, precision optics, and safety standards compliance.
Solar Telescope Manufacturing
Design and manufacture of H-alpha solar telescopes and precision optical components for solar observation.
Precision Optics
Ultra-precision optical manufacturing including sub-nanometer polishing techniques and interferometric testing.
Eclipse Experience
Participation in numerous solar eclipses worldwide, with direct experience in eclipse product distribution and safety.
Standards Compliance
Deep knowledge of ISO 12312-2 requirements, EU PPE regulations, CE marking, and international certification processes.
Who We Are
Andy Lunt
Andy Lunt founded ISO12312-2.com to address a critical
and growing problem in eclipse observation: the widespread
sale of unsafe, counterfeit, and improperly tested eclipse
glasses. As the founder and owner of Lunt Solar Systems, a globally recognized manufacturer of precision
H-alpha solar telescopes and filters, Andy has spent
decades at the forefront of safe solar observation.
Through his work designing, manufacturing, and testing
professional-grade solar optics used by researchers,
educators, and amateur astronomers worldwide, Andy has
seen firsthand the consequences of inadequate filtration
and unverified optical products. His career has been
dedicated to advancing safe access to solar observing
technologies, from everyday eclipse viewing to advanced
hydrogen-alpha imaging.
This deep technical
background in precision optics and solar filtration
informs the rigorous verification standards behind
ISO12312-2.com. Every manufacturer considered for
inclusion is evaluated with the same uncompromising
emphasis on safety, testing integrity, and optical
performance that defines Lunt Solar Systems’ own
products.
A note on transparency: Lunt Solar Systems is a manufacturer of solar observation products, including eclipse glasses. We believe this industry experience is essential to properly evaluating other manufacturers' products and documentation. However, we apply the same verification standards to Lunt products as to any other manufacturer—our commitment is to accuracy and safety, not self-promotion.
Questions or Feedback?
We welcome inquiries from manufacturers, media, educators, and anyone interested in solar eye safety.
Contact Us