Standardization News

A new ASTM International standard will provide performance requirements for designers and manufacturers of eye protectors for racket sports. ASTM’s committee on sports equipment, playing surfaces, and facilities (F08) developed the new standard (F3164).

The new standard covers both prescription and non-prescription eye protective devices for racquetball, squash, and/or tennis. Requirements include: 

• Frame and lens minimum robustness requirements (impact resistance),
• Optics requirements, and
• Downstream prescription filling requirements for optical laboratories and opticians/dispensers prior to delivering racket sports eyewear to a customer.

The new standard expands on information that had previously been part of ASTM International’s standard for eye protectors for selected sports (F803). However, the new standard addresses more specific requirements that relate to eye protectors for racket sports. In the past, standards have also been developed from F803 information on eye protectors  for women’s lacrosse (now in ASTM’s F3077) and for field hockey (now in F2713).

The new racket sports standard, as well as the standards for women’s lacrosse and field hockey eyewear, include modifications that aim to assure the standards keep pace with the latest advancement in these sports areas.

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN. The next meeting of ASTM International committee on sports equipment, playing surfaces, and facilities is Nov. 5-8, in Houston, Texas, USA.

To purchase standards, contact ASTM International customer relations (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org).

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