June 10, 2026 Steven Eaton

What Is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1? Safety Glasses Standard Explained (2025 Edition)

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1: the short answer

Short answer: ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 is the United States standard for occupational and educational eye and face protection. It sets the performance, testing, and marking rules that safety glasses, goggles, and face shields must meet. The current edition is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025, published in January 2026. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 requires ANSI Z87.1-rated eye protection; it incorporates specified earlier editions by reference, and newer editions are used through the employer’s demonstration that the protection is at least as effective as an incorporated edition. Z87 marks basic impact; Z87+ marks high impact.

What OSHA actually cites: our OSHA PPE Violation Report (FY2025) breaks down all 26,530 construction citations from public OSHA data — fall protection alone was 41% of the money.

What Is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1? The Complete Safety Glasses Standard Explained for Employers and Workers

Published May 19, 2026 · Last updated August 12, 2026

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 is the American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. The current edition is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025, published in January 2026. Published by ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association) and adopted by ANSI, it is the current edition of the standard that defines performance requirements, testing methods, and marking requirements for safety glasses, goggles, face shields, welding protection, and other occupational eye protection. OSHA references Z87.1 in 29 CFR 1910.133 (general industry) and 29 CFR 1926.102 (construction) as the accepted standard for eye and face PPE compliance. Any safety eyewear purchased to satisfy OSHA requirements must meet or exceed Z87.1 (or a prior edition still accepted by the applicable OSHA standard).

Z87 vs Z87+: The Critical Marking Distinction

The most important marking distinction in ANSI Z87.1 is the difference between the basic impact designation (Z87) and the high-impact designation (Z87+):

Marking	Test	Projectile	Required For
Z87 (basic impact)	Drop ball test	1-inch steel ball, dropped from 50 inches	Low-velocity particle environments
Z87+ (high impact)	High-velocity impact test	1/4-inch steel ball at 150 ft/sec	Grinding, chipping, machining, fastener driving, high-velocity chips

Both the frame and lens must carry the Z87+ marking for the eyewear to qualify as high-impact. A Z87-marked frame with a Z87+-marked lens, or vice versa, does not constitute compliant high-impact eyewear. The marking requirement comes from Z87.1 itself; OSHA reaches it through 1910.133(b), which requires the protector to comply with an incorporated edition.

Z87+ is the rating to specify for grinding, chipping, riveting, machining, fastener installation, and other operations generating high-velocity particles — the employer’s hazard assessment establishes it, since OSHA does not name the tier. Z87 basic impact is appropriate for lower-velocity particle environments such as walking through a dusty area, general warehouse work, or low-speed abrasive tasks.

Lens and Frame Marking System Explained

ANSI Z87.1 requires that lenses be permanently marked with the manufacturer's mark plus applicable designation codes. Frame/temples must also be marked. Key marking codes:

Marking Code	Protection Type	Description
Z87	Basic impact	Meets drop ball test
Z87+	High impact	Meets high-velocity projectile test
D3	Chemical splash	Splash-resistant goggles
D4	Dust	Dust-resistant goggles (indirect ventilation)
D5	Fine dust	Fine dust goggles (no ventilation)
W (W1.7–W14)	Welding shade	Welding filter shade number
R (R1.5–R10)	IR radiation filter	Infrared filter shade number
U (U2–U6)	UV filter	UV filter scale number
L (L1.0–L10)	Luminous transmittance	Tint/darkness designator
V	Variable tint	Photochromic lens
S	Special purpose	Special lens tint
H	Small head	Fitted for smaller face dimensions
Z87-2	Prescription (Rx) protector	Marks a prescription safety frame or lens carrier. Prescription safety eyewear is built as a protector and carries this mark; ordinary prescription glasses do not, and are not eye protection. The 2025 edition expanded the marking guidance for prescription lens carriers

For chemical splash protection, D3-marked goggles are required — safety glasses (spectacles) alone do not provide splash protection because they lack a face seal. For dust protection, D4 or D5 goggles are required.

Optical Quality Requirements

ANSI Z87.1 sets optical quality requirements for lenses including:

Refractive power: Limits distortion and prism effect to ensure clear vision without eye strain.
Haze: Lenses must transmit light clearly without significant diffusion.
Luminous transmittance: Tinted lenses must provide sufficient light transmission for the intended use (outdoor tinted lenses must meet minimum transmittance indoors).

Poor optical quality in safety eyewear causes eye fatigue and reduces compliance — workers remove uncomfortable eyewear. Z87.1-compliant safety glasses meet consistent optical standards that make all-day wear practical.

OSHA 1910.133 and Z87.1

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 requires eye and face protection for workers exposed to flying particles, molten metal, chemical splash, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or injurious light radiation. The employer must conduct a hazard assessment under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 to identify which eye hazards are present and select appropriate Z87.1-marked protection. See our OSHA 1910.133 guide for full details on when eye protection is required.

Which editions OSHA actually names. This is widely misreported, including on safety-supplier sites. OSHA 1910.133(b) does not reference "the current edition" of Z87.1. It incorporates three specific editions by reference - ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003, and ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998) - and then allows any protector the employer can demonstrate is at least as effective as one meeting those editions.

The practical consequence is the opposite of what buyers usually assume: newer is never a compliance problem. Eyewear certified to Z87.1-2015, Z87.1-2020, or Z87.1-2025 can satisfy 1910.133 through the employer’s "at least as effective" demonstration, because each edition meets or exceeds the impact and coverage performance of the incorporated editions. What fails an OSHA inspection is unmarked eyewear, or eyewear whose marking does not match the assessed hazard - not eyewear built to an edition newer than 2010.

What Changed in the ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025 Edition

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025 is the sixth revision of the standard and was published in January 2026, following a five-year revision cycle. It replaces ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 as the current edition. Note that OSHA still incorporates only ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003 or ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), so a newer consensus edition is not by itself an OSHA requirement. The revision is a clarification and harmonisation update rather than a rewrite of the protection classes - the Z87 / Z87+ impact split, the D3 / D4 / D5 splash-and-dust codes, and the W / R / U / L filter scales all carry forward unchanged.

The substantive changes are:

Blood and infectious-material exposure. The 2025 edition adds a cross-reference to ANSI/ISEA Z87.62-2021, the companion standard covering protection against sprays and spurts of blood and other potentially infectious materials. If your hazard assessment includes bloodborne-pathogen exposure, Z87.62 - not Z87.1 impact marking alone - is the document that governs.
Expanded marking requirements. Marking guidance was clarified and standardised, with specific new guidance on prescription lens carriers and worked marking examples added in Annex L. This is the change most likely to affect what you actually see stamped on a frame.
Clarified test language. Sections covering impact testing, lens haze, and minimum coverage were reworded to make test execution consistent between laboratories. The pass/fail thresholds are not loosened by this change.
Editorial reorganisation. Hazard-specific sections were restructured for readability.
Retained from 2020. The criteria and marking requirements for relaxed optics and anti-fog performance introduced in the 2020 edition are carried forward.

Does this decertify eyewear you already own? No. Nothing in the 2025 revision withdraws approval for product certified to an earlier edition, and OSHA's own incorporation by reference (below) names editions older than 2020. Eyewear marked to Z87.1-2015, Z87.1-2010, Z87.1-2003 or Z87.1-1989 (R-1998) remains compliant for OSHA purposes. Replace eye protection because it is scratched, pitted, cracked, or no longer fits - not because the edition year on the standard advanced.

Z87.1 vs Earlier Editions

ANSI Z87.1 has been revised repeatedly since it was first issued: 1968, 1989, 2003, 2010, 2015, 2020, and the current 2025 edition. Each revision tightened or clarified test methods; none of them retroactively invalidated product certified to the edition in force when it was made.

Safety glasses manufactured to Z87.1-2015 or Z87.1-2020 remain acceptable under OSHA, which incorporates editions older still (see the section above). When specifying new purchases, ask for Z87.1-2025 compliance - not because older stock is non-compliant, but because it is the edition manufacturers will be certifying to going forward, and it carries the clearer marking rules.

Anti-Fog, Anti-Scratch, and Coating Designations

Z87.1 does not establish mandatory coating requirements, but many safety glasses carry manufacturer claims for anti-fog (AF) and anti-scratch coatings. Coating quality varies significantly between manufacturers and price points. For indoor/outdoor transition work involving heat or humidity, anti-fog coatings substantially improve compliance. For grinding and chipping environments, anti-scratch coatings extend lens clarity over the lens service life.

Safety Glasses at WC Safety Meeting ANSI Z87.1

Reading the marking: the letters decide the hazard, not the lens shape

Z87.1 protection is claim-by-claim: plain Z87 is the basic standard, Z87+ adds high-velocity impact, D3 covers droplet/splash, D4 dust, D5 fine dust — and optical-radiation filters carry their own scale letters (U for UV, W for welding shades, R for infrared). A spectacle and a goggle with identical lenses are different devices: the form factor determines which D-claims are even possible. Buy by the printed marking against the assessed hazard, never by how protective the frame looks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1?

A: ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 is the current American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. It establishes impact resistance, optical quality, and marking requirements for safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and welding protection. OSHA references Z87.1 in 29 CFR 1910.133 and 1926.102 as the accepted standard for eye and face protection compliance.

Q: What is the difference between Z87 and Z87+?

A: Z87 marks eyewear meeting the basic impact test (1-inch steel ball dropped from 50 inches). Z87+ marks eyewear meeting the high-velocity impact test (1/4-inch steel ball at 150 ft/sec). Z87+ is the rating to specify for grinding, chipping, machining, and other high-velocity particle environments, as established by the hazard assessment. Both frame and lens must carry the Z87+ marking for full high-impact compliance.

Q: What does the D3 marking on safety goggles mean?

A: D3 marks goggles that are tested and rated for chemical splash protection. D3 goggles have indirect ventilation and a face seal that prevents liquid splash from reaching the eye. Safety glasses (spectacles) without a face seal do not qualify as D3 splash protection.

Q: What does D4 and D5 mean on safety goggles?

A: D4 marks dust-resistant goggles with indirect ventilation suitable for coarse dust environments. D5 marks fine-dust goggles with no ventilation, providing tighter dust exclusion for fine particulate environments such as woodworking fine dust or pharmaceutical powder handling.

Q: Do safety glasses need to be Z87+ for OSHA compliance?

A: It depends on the hazard. OSHA 1910.133 requires eye protection appropriate for the identified hazard. Z87+ is the rating the hazard assessment will call for in high-velocity particle environments (grinding, machining, fastener driving). Z87 basic impact may satisfy OSHA requirements for lower-velocity particle environments. The hazard assessment determines which rating is required.

Q: Can I use Z87.1-2015 or Z87.1-2020 safety glasses instead of the 2025 edition?

A: Safety glasses manufactured to Z87.1-2015 remain acceptable under OSHA general industry standards — 1910.133(b) incorporates the 2010, 2003 and 1989 (R-1998) editions, and newer editions are used through the employer at-least-as-effective demonstration. When purchasing new eyewear, ask for ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025 compliance, the current consensus edition.

Q: Does Z87.1 cover welding shade lenses?

A: Yes. Z87.1 includes shade requirements for welding filter lenses marked with W plus the shade number (e.g., W5, W10, W14). The appropriate shade depends on the welding process and amperage. OSHA Table E-2 in 1910.133 specifies minimum shade numbers by process.

Q: What does the H marking on safety glasses mean?

A: The H marking indicates the eyewear is designed for smaller head/face dimensions. H-marked safety glasses meet the same Z87.1 impact and optical standards but are sized for workers with smaller facial measurements.

Q: Are non-prescription safety glasses required to be marked Z87?

A: Yes. All safety eyewear must be marked Z87 (or Z87+) on both frame and lens to be compliant with ANSI Z87.1 and OSHA 1910.133. Eyewear without ANSI markings is not compliant regardless of price or marketing claims.

Q: Do side shields satisfy Z87.1 splash protection requirements?

A: No. Side shields on spectacles improve particle protection by reducing the lateral gap but do not create a face seal. Chemical splash (D3) requires goggles with a conforming face seal. Side shields with spectacles may provide D3-like protection only if the entire combination is tested and marked D3 as a unit — this is uncommon.

Q: What optical quality does Z87.1 require?

A: Z87.1 limits refractive power (distortion), prismatic effect, and haze for all lenses. These limits ensure safety eyewear does not cause visual distortion that reduces vision quality or causes eye fatigue during extended wear.

Q: Can safety glasses with tinted lenses be worn indoors?

A: Tinted safety glasses marked for outdoor use (high UV filter, low luminous transmittance) significantly reduce vision indoors and are not appropriate for indoor use. Select clear or lightly tinted lenses for indoor environments. Z87.1 specifies minimum luminous transmittance requirements for each lens category.

Q: What is a photochromic lens in Z87.1 context?

A: Photochromic lenses (marked V under Z87.1) darken in UV light and clear indoors. They are useful for workers who transition frequently between indoor and outdoor environments. Photochromic safety lenses must still meet Z87 or Z87+ impact requirements.

Q: Are face shields alone sufficient for eye protection under Z87.1?

A: Face shields provide face and splash protection but may not fully protect the eyes from angled projectiles or from hazards that wrap around the shield. OSHA 1910.133 notes that face shields used without safety glasses beneath them may not provide adequate eye protection for all flying particle hazards. In many applications, face shields are worn over Z87+ safety glasses.

Q: Where can I buy ANSI Z87.1 compliant safety glasses?

A: WC Safety reviews a full range of Z87.1 compliant safety glasses, goggles, and face shields from MCR Safety, Pyramex, Honeywell, and other top manufacturers. Browse at wcsafety.com/collections/safety-glasses.

What is the difference between Z87 and Z87+ on the frame?

Impact tier. Plain Z87 marks conformance to the base standard; Z87+ marks the high-velocity/high-mass impact tests. For grinding, striking tools, and machining — the classic projectile trades — specify Z87+ and confirm the + is printed on BOTH lens and frame, because the claim belongs to the marked component.

Browse and Compare on WC Safety

Disclosures & editorial standards
WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.

Primary sources for this page

The wording behind this page sits in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132.

Why trust this page?

Why trust this page? Every figure on it is taken from the published text of the standard or the manufacturer document named beside it, not from a secondary summary. WC Safety is an independent PPE review site: we hold no inventory and sell nothing directly, so there is no product we need this page to favour. Where sources disagree, the page says so and plans on the more conservative figure rather than picking one.

Who wrote and reviewed this

By Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial. Reviewed against the primary sources cited on this page at each update. Steven Eaton is the editor of WC Safety and holds no safety certifications; this page reports what the standards say and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional on your specific exposure.

Methodology: how this page is maintained

Methodology. Figures are read from the primary source and re-checked whenever the underlying standard or a manufacturer document changes. No laboratory testing is performed for this page. Where a figure is not published, the page states that rather than estimating it, because a plausible invented number is more dangerous than an absent one.

Disclosure

Disclosure. WC Safety participates in the Amazon Associates programme and earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through outbound links, at no cost to you. That does not influence what this page says. Nothing here is medical, legal or regulatory advice.