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Airsoft expose your eyes to BBs, so wearing standardized safety goggles is mandatory to ensure your safety.

Main standards :

EN 166:

Safety goggles meeting the EN166 standard are classified according to mechanical impact resistance (A, B, or F), optical quality, and protection against projections and debris. The "EN166", "ANSI," and "ISO 16321" impact tests are made with a projectile heavier than an airsoft BB. The equivalences presented below are conversions corresponding to a velocity and weight that correspond to an airsoft BB, the energy in joules remains the same.

• EN 166 F: Maximum resistance 305 FPS @ 0.20g (0.87 joules MAX)
• EN 166 B: Maximum resistance 800 FPS @ 0.20g (6.2 joules MAX)
• EN 166 A: Higher resistance 800 FPS @ 0.20g (15.5 joules MAX)

ANSI Z87:

The eye protection standard in force in the United States is called ANSI Z87 (ANSI = American National Standards Institute). This standard does not certify safety eyewear alone in the European Union, but manufacturers often use the dual EN166 + ANSI label. The ANSI standard is classified based on impact protection (projectiles, fragments), penetration resistance, optical quality, heat resistance, chemical resistance, UV resistance, and so on. The "EN166", "ANSI," and "ISO 16321" impact tests are made with a projectile heavier than an airsoft BB. The equivalences presented below are conversions corresponding to a velocity and weight that correspond to an airsoft BB, the energy in joules remains the same.

• ANSI Z87: Maximum resistance 200 FPS @ 0.20g (0.46 Joules MAX)
• ANSI Z87+: Maximum resistance 305 FPS @ 0.20g (0.87 Joules MAX)

ISO 16321:

The ISO 16321 series is gradually replacing the EN 166 and EN 170/172 standards. It provides international harmonization and better consideration for sports and leisure. It categorizes impact resistance, optical quality, markings, and mechanical testing. The "EN166", "ANSI," and "ISO 16321" impact tests are made with a projectile heavier than an airsoft BB. The equivalences presented below are conversions corresponding to a velocity and weight that correspond to an airsoft BB, the energy in joules remains the same.

• ISO 16321 C: Maximum resistance 305 FPS @ 0.20g (0.87 joules MAX)
• ISO 16321 D: Maximum resistance 800 FPS @ 0.20g (6.2 joules MAX)
• ISO 16321 E: Higher resistance 800 FPS @ 0.20g (15.5 joules MAX)

What is the difference between EN 166 and ISO 16321 ?

EN 166 is the European standard for personal eye protection in force since 2001. It defines the general requirements and tests to ensure safety (impact, optical quality, etc.) in the European Union. It is the mandatory standard for CE marking. ISO 16321 is a more recent international standard (2019) that aims to eventually replace EN 166. It offers a more detailed classification of eye protection, with specific requirements for different uses (industry, sports, and leisure activities such as airsoft).

To sum up :

• EN 166 = the official and currently mandatory European standard for eye protection.
• ISO 16321 = a more comprehensive international standard coming into force at the end of 2025.

Choose suitable eye protection that can withstand an impact corresponding to the maximum joule power in your country's airsoft legislation.