Eclipse Glasses in Europe: CE Marking, PPE Rules, and What You Need to Know for 2026

The EU has stronger eclipse glasses regulations than the US. Here is what European buyers need to understand before the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse.

Europe Has Different Rules — and They Are Stricter

If you are buying eclipse glasses for the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse in Europe, you need to understand something that most people do not realize: the European Union regulates eclipse glasses more strictly than the United States does.

In the US, ISO 12312-2 compliance is recommended by NASA and the American Astronomical Society, but it is not legally required. A manufacturer can sell eclipse glasses in America without any third-party testing or certification. The policing happens through reputation and marketplace enforcement, not regulation.

In the EU, the rules are fundamentally different. Eclipse glasses are classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) under EU Regulation 2016/425. This is the same regulatory framework that governs safety goggles, welding shields, and industrial eye protection. The classification is not optional — it is law.

This means that to legally sell eclipse glasses anywhere in the EU, a manufacturer must go through a formal certification process involving independent third-party testing, a Notified Body examination, and official CE marking. Products that do not meet these requirements cannot legally be sold in EU member states — and major marketplaces like Amazon enforce this.

What Is PPE Category II and Why Does It Apply to Eclipse Glasses?

EU Regulation 2016/425 divides Personal Protective Equipment into three categories based on the severity of risk they protect against:

Category	Risk Level	Certification Required	Examples
Category I	Minimal risk	Self-certification by manufacturer	Gardening gloves, light rain gear
Category II	Intermediate risk — irreversible harm	EU Type Examination by Notified Body	Safety glasses, eclipse glasses, hearing protection
Category III	Mortal danger or serious irreversible harm	EU Type Examination + ongoing production audits	Fall protection, breathing apparatus, chemical suits

 

Eclipse glasses fall into Category II because looking at the Sun through inadequate protection can cause solar retinopathy — permanent, irreversible damage to the retina. The damage is painless, often has delayed symptoms, and cannot be surgically repaired. The EU considers this an intermediate risk requiring independent verification before products can reach consumers.

The EU Type Examination Process

To sell eclipse glasses in the EU, a manufacturer must complete a multi-step certification process. This is not a formality — it is rigorous, time-consuming, and expensive. Here is what it involves:

Step 1: Laboratory testing

The product must first be tested by an accredited laboratory to verify compliance with EN ISO 12312-2:2022 — the EU harmonized version of the international standard. This testing covers transmittance (visible, UV, and infrared), optical quality, surface uniformity, and physical durability. The testing is identical to ISO 12312-2 but must be performed under the EU’s accreditation framework.

Step 2: Application to a Notified Body

The manufacturer submits the test results, technical documentation, and product samples to an EU-authorized Notified Body. A Notified Body is an organization designated by an EU member state to assess whether products meet the requirements of EU legislation. Examples include ECS GmbH (Notified Body 0527) in Germany and TUV Rheinland (0197). The European Commission maintains a public database of authorized Notified Bodies called NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations) where anyone can verify that a Notified Body is legitimate.

Step 3: EU Type Examination

The Notified Body independently reviews the technical documentation, examines the product, and may conduct additional testing. If everything meets the requirements, they issue an EU Type Examination Certificate. This certificate confirms that the product design complies with EU PPE Regulation 2016/425 and the applicable harmonized standard (EN ISO 12312-2:2022).

Step 4: Declaration of Conformity

The manufacturer issues a formal Declaration of Conformity (DoC) — a legal document stating that the product meets all applicable EU requirements. The DoC must include the manufacturer’s name and address, the product identification, the applicable standards, the Notified Body name and certificate number, and the date and signature of a responsible person. This document must be available to market surveillance authorities on request and retained for 10 years.

Step 5: CE marking

Only after all of the above is complete can the manufacturer apply the CE mark to the product. 

What European Eclipse Glasses Buyers Should Look For

When you purchase eclipse glasses in Europe, the product should display the following on the glasses themselves or on the packaging:

1. The CE mark with a Notified Body number should be available for inspection. This looks like “CE 0527” or “CE 0197” — the letters CE followed by a four-digit number. If there is no number after the CE letters, the product has not undergone EU Type Examination for PPE and may not be legally compliant. It may not be shown on the glasses themselves.

2. Reference to EN ISO 12312-2:2022. This is the EU harmonized version of the international solar viewer safety standard. Products referencing only “ISO 12312-2” without the EN prefix may have been tested to the international standard but not through the EU PPE pathway.

3. The manufacturer’s name and full address. Not just a logo or brand name — the actual company name and physical address. This is a legal requirement under both ISO 12312-2 and the PPE Regulation. Products/glasses with only a brand name and no address are not compliant.

4. Filter category marking. Eclipse glasses should be marked as Filter Scale 12–16 under EN 169, corresponding to the appropriate shade for direct solar viewing.

How to verify a Notified Body is legitimate

Go to the European Commission’s NANDO database at ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/nando. Search for the four-digit number shown on the paperwork. The result should show an organization authorized for PPE Regulation 2016/425. If the number does not appear, or the organization is not authorized for PPE, the certification claim is probably fraudulent.

US vs EU vs UK: A Comparison of Eclipse Glasses Regulation

Aspect	United States	European Union	United Kingdom
Legal requirement	No federal requirement	PPE Regulation 2016/425	No PPE requirement enforced
Third-party testing	Recommended, not mandated	Required by Notified Body	Not mandated
Self-certification	Yes	No — Category II	Effectively yes
Enforcement	Market-driven	Government surveillance	Minimal enforcement
CE/UKCA marking	Not applicable	CE + NB number required	UKCA exists but not enforced for eclipse glasses
Non-compliant product risk	Moderate	Low (strong regulation)	High (weak regulation, dumping ground)

 

The practical significance of this difference is straightforward: in the EU, there is a legal mechanism to remove unsafe eclipse glasses from the market before the eclipse happens, not just after people are injured. In the US, enforcement is primarily reactive.

Amazon and EU Marketplace Requirements

If you are buying eclipse glasses on Amazon in Europe, Amazon enforces the PPE requirements on top of the legal requirements. Effective April 2025, Amazon updated its compliance documentation requirements for solar eclipse viewing products. Sellers must provide proof of EU Type Examination and PPE compliance to list eclipse glasses on Amazon’s European marketplaces.

This means that eclipse glasses sold on Amazon in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and other EU countries should already have been verified by Amazon’s compliance team. However, no system is perfect — enforcement can lag behind new listings, and third-party sellers occasionally slip through. The verification steps described above remain important even when buying from major marketplaces.

A Warning About the United Kingdom

Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer subject to EU PPE Regulation 2016/425. The UK has its own regulatory framework (UKCA marking), but in practice, enforcement of eclipse glasses safety standards in the UK is significantly weaker than in the EU. The UK does not currently require PPE Category II certification for eclipse glasses.

This has created a serious problem. As the August 2026 eclipse approaches, the UK has become a dumping ground for non-compliant eclipse glasses. Manufacturers and resellers who cannot meet EU PPE requirements are offloading untested or inadequately tested products into the UK market, where the regulatory barrier is lower. The volume of questionable products currently available from UK sellers is, frankly, shocking.

This matters to EU buyers for two reasons. First, the UK is geographically close to the EU and many European consumers buy from UK-based online sellers, either directly or through marketplaces. A product shipped from a UK seller to an EU address may not carry valid EU PPE certification, even if it claims to be “CE marked.” Second, some UK sellers are marketing products across Europe specifically because they cannot pass EU compliance requirements in EU member states.

For UK buyers: The weaker regulatory environment means you need to be even more diligent. The same verification steps apply — look for ISO 12312-2 compliance from an accredited laboratory, check for manufacturer identification with a full address, and inspect the glasses for defects before use. The absence of mandatory PPE certification in the UK does not mean the safety risks are any different. Solar retinopathy does not respect borders.

Lunt Solar Systems eclipse glasses are available on Amazon UK with full ISO 12312-2 compliance and CE certification. We maintain the same safety standards for products sold in the UK as we do for the EU, regardless of what the local regulations require.

The 2026 European Eclipse: What to Expect

The total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 will be the first total eclipse visible from mainland Europe since 1999. The path of totality crosses Iceland, the Faroe Islands, northern Spain (including parts of Valencia and the Balearic Islands), and the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. Partial phases will be visible across the entire continent.

Tens of millions of Europeans will need eclipse glasses. The demand dynamics are predictable: search volume is already increasing, interest will accelerate through spring and summer, and peak demand will arrive in July and August. This is exactly the pattern that created counterfeit problems before the 2024 North American eclipse.

The difference for 2026 is that EU regulations provide a stronger baseline of protection. But regulation only works if buyers know what to look for. The CE mark with a Notified Body number is the single most reliable indicator that eclipse glasses have been independently tested and certified to protect your eyes.

Lunt Eclipse Glasses: Full EU Compliance

Lunt Solar Systems eclipse glasses are CE certified under EN ISO 12312-2:2022 and hold PPE Category II certification with EU Type Examination by an authorized Notified Body. We completed this certification process before the 2024 North American eclipse and maintain it for ongoing European sales.

Our eclipse glasses meet 100% of the requirements described in this article: laboratory testing at an accredited facility, EU Type Examination, Declaration of Conformity, and CE marking with Notified Body identification. We are one of a small number of manufacturers worldwide who hold this full certification.

For the 2026 European eclipse, Lunt eclipse glasses are available direct from our website with VAT-included pricing and European fulfillment, as well as through Amazon EU marketplaces in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and other countries. Bulk and wholesale pricing is available for schools, event organizers, tourism boards, and retailers through our Eclipse Glasses Europe 2026 page.

Protect Your Eyes — Buy Certified

The August 2026 eclipse will be extraordinary. Do not let inadequate eye protection ruin the experience. When purchasing eclipse glasses in Europe, check for the CE mark with a Notified Body number, verify the number in the NANDO database, and buy from manufacturers who can document their full compliance chain.

 

Buy CE-Certified Eclipse Glasses in Your Country ISO 12312-2 compliant | CE marked | Ships locally

Germany Amazon.de France Amazon.fr Spain Amazon.es Italy Amazon.it Netherlands Amazon.nl

Belgium Amazon.com.be Austria Amazon.de Poland Amazon.pl Portugal Amazon.es UK Amazon.co.uk

Lunt eclipse glasses are CE certified under EN ISO 12312-2:2022 | #1 best-selling eclipse glasses on Amazon worldwide

Andy Lunt is the founder of Lunt Solar Systems, a precision solar telescope and eclipse glasses manufacturer based in Tucson, Arizona, with over 25 years of experience in solar optics. Lunt eclipse glasses are CE certified under EN ISO 12312-2:2022 and are the #1 best-selling eclipse glasses on Amazon worldwide.

Read the full series:

Article 1: What Is ISO 12312-2? The Eclipse Glasses Safety Standard Explained →

Article 2: How to Spot Fake Eclipse Glasses: A Verification Guide →

Article 3: Eclipse Glasses in Europe: CE Marking, PPE Rules & What You Need to Know (you are here)

Article 4: Ask Andy — Your Eclipse Glasses Questions Answered → (coming soon)

 

Buy CE-certified Lunt eclipse glasses: luntsolarsystems.com/collections/eclipse-glasses

Bulk/wholesale for Europe: luntsolarsystems.com/pages/eclipse-glasses-europe-2026

Questions? Email sales@luntsolarsystems.com or call 520-344-7348.

 

Andy Lunt is the founder of Lunt Solar Systems, a precision solar telescope and eclipse glasses manufacturer based in Tucson, Arizona. Lunt eclipse glasses are CE certified under EN ISO 12312-2:2022 and hold PPE Category II certification with EU Type Examination by an authorized Notified Body.