ECLIPSE NEWS
OBSERVE THE CHANGE.

1. European Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/941 (Latest Publication) This is the latest implementing decision by the European Commission regarding harmonized standards for personal protective equipment (PPE), published in May 2023. The annex of this page explicitly lists the EN ISO 12312-2:2015 standard as an officially recognized EU standard.

Rigorous explanation of EU requirements: According to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2016/425, personal protective equipment that conforms to harmonized standards published in the Official Journal of the European Union "shall be presumed to be in conformity with the essential health and safety requirements." By including this standard, the EU legally establishes the exact technical specifications that manufacturers must meet to ensure their products are considered safe for European consumers.

2. EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 implementation communication: In earlier official communications, the EU detailed that eclipse glasses conforming to the EN ISO 12312-2:2015 standard must bear the CE marking. Compliance confers a presumption of conformity from April 21, 2018.

3. Detailed explanation of the EN ISO 12312-2:2015 standard: Adopted worldwide, this standard imposes strict safety criteria:

• Scope and applicability: It explicitly applies only to non-magnifying products intended for direct observation of the Sun. It does not apply to ordinary sunglasses or telescope filters.
• Transmittance limits: It strictly regulates transmittance for UV, visible, and IR rays. The maximum allowed luminous transmittance matches a shade 12 welding filter, and the minimum a shade 15.
• Material quality: Filters must be entirely free of visual defects such as bubbles or scratches.
• Mandatory labeling: Certified products must display specific information, including clear warnings that looking at the sun without proper filters can result in permanent eye injury.

On August 12, 2026, a spectacular total solar eclipse will occur, marking the first totality in continental Europe since 1999.

The eclipse will begin its global path in the Bering Sea, cross the Arctic, Greenland, and Iceland, before sweeping across the Iberian Peninsula from west to east.

In Spain—widely considered the best place in the world to view this eclipse—the phenomenon will occur during its final phases just before sunset.

The path of totality will enter through Galicia, cross numerous provincial capitals including Oviedo, León, Burgos, Zaragoza, and Valencia, before finally ending in the Balearic Islands. The maximum duration of totality will be 2 minutes and 18 seconds.

Because the eclipsed sun will be at a very low elevation in Spain, experts recommend finding viewing spots with a completely clear western horizon. This low angle provides an excellent opportunity for astrophotographers.

Adding to the excitement, the eclipse happens right around the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.

As always, viewers must never look directly at the Sun without proper protection.

The primary advice from experts for first-time viewers is surprisingly simple: put down the camera and simply observe the spectacle.

For those who still wish to capture the event, the paramount rule is safety: Special-purpose solar filters must always remain on the lenses during all partial phases.

• Equipment: You'll need a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens of at least 300 mm (1000 mm recommended for details) and a sturdy tripod.
• Setup: Use strictly manual focus and secure the filter with tape.
• Exposure: Total eclipses have a massive dynamic range that requires bracketing exposures.
• Alternatives: Propped-up smartphones recording wide-field video can capture the invaluable audio of the crowd's reactions.

After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, at least two people in Quebec suffered permanent retinal damage after viewing the event without certified protective glasses.

Examinations revealed lesions in the fovea, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Dr. Fares Antaki from CHUM explained that ultraviolet rays can cause irreversible damage.

Tests showed they suffered lasting structural damage at the cellular level. Dr. Antaki believes that the actual number of injuries is likely much higher, as the study relied solely on self-reports from ophthalmologists.

A solar eclipse is an impressive astronomical event that occurs when the Moon perfectly aligns between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on our planet and temporarily obscuring the Sun's light.

Depending on the exact alignment, observers can experience four different types of solar eclipses:

• Total Solar Eclipse: Occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun's disk. Viewers must be located in the "umbra" to witness totality.
• Annular Solar Eclipse: When the Moon is farthest from Earth (apogee), it appears smaller and leaves a bright "ring of fire" visible.
• Partial Solar Eclipse: The Moon only covers a fraction of the Sun.
• Hybrid Solar Eclipse: A very rare event. Due to the Earth's curvature, it transitions between being annular and total at different points along its path.

This geographical limitation makes witnessing a solar eclipse a particularly rare and exceptional experience.

Experts emphasize that observing a partially eclipsed Sun is only safe when using solar filters that strictly comply with the international EN ISO 12312-2:2015 standard. Regular sunglasses are NEVER safe.

• Inspect before use: If the viewer is scratched, torn, or damaged, it must be discarded immediately.
• Proper usage: Put the glasses on while looking away from the Sun. If you wear prescription glasses, place the eclipse glasses over them.
• Supervise children: They must be supervised at all times.
• The "Totality" exception: The only safe time to remove your viewer is during the brief period of "totality".

Extreme Caution with Optical Devices: Never look at the Sun through an unfiltered camera or telescope, even if you are wearing eclipse glasses. The concentrated rays will burn through the filter and your eyes.

Maintenance: EN ISO 12312-2:2015 glasses in good condition can be reused indefinitely. Clean them only with a dry microfiber cloth. Never use water or solvents on cardboard viewers.