More than 50% 'high street' sunglasses on sale in the UK fail to meet EU safety standards

More than half of budget sunglasses purchased on the High Street fail to meet strict EU safety standards, a shocking new study has found.


Researchers tested over 100 pairs of shades from ten leading retailers ranging in price from £1 to £25.
They found 57 per cent failed at least one of the tests laid down by the European Union.
It means consumers could be at risk of damaging their eyes as they try to protect themselves from the sun this summer.
Companies that import sunglasses to the EU must make a declaration of conformity saying they comply with standard EN 1836:2005+A1:2007.
They risk a fine of around £2,000 if found to be in breach and will also have to remove them from sale.
But tests conducted by the Optical Appliances Testing Service, at City University, London, found many do indeed fail to meet the standards.

Almost half of the lenses that failed, 49 per cent, cracked or shattered during a 'ball drop' impact test.
This leaves people at risk of further injury if hit in the face while wearing them.