The Lab

Our UKAS accredited testing laboratory is the largest and most sophisticated in Europe. All technical files required under the Medical Devices Directive and the Personal Protective Equipment Directive are generated and administered in our UK lab.

Our team of expert technicians test over one hundred styles a day to levels that far exceed all International standards. The products tested include Optical Frames, Sunglasses and Reading Glasses.

We aim to totally eliminate customer returns and to provide beautifully designed eyewear that achieves levels of quality that will exceed customer expectations.

Optical Testing

The test Lab is equipped with state of the art technology to test for the European Standard BS EN 1836 and beyond. Optical tests performed in our laboratory include:

  • Recognition of colour signals which fall under the driving and road use requirement
  • Ensure that lenses block harmful ultra violet rays transmitted by the sun
  • Lens darkness and filter categories
  • Testing for distortion in vision when wearing sunglasses - Spherical, Astigmatic and Prismatic Powers which are the size, shape and position of objects
  • Measuring the angle of polarisation in polarised lenses to ensure optimal performance when worn

For ready to wear reading glasses: testing the lenses to ensure they are labelled correctly according to the spherical power declared and checking for any horizontal and vertical misaligment of the optical centres

Optical Testing

Mechanical Testing

This involves testing frames for robustness and security of the lenses. These tests are extremely vigorous, using bespoke equipment and incorporating spectacle frames procedures that are above the prescribed standards for sunglasses. Below are examples of mechanical tests performed in our laboratory:

  • Hinge and Frame endurance tests: To test for the mechanical strength (robustness) of the frame construction
  • Ballistic testing: firing steel ball bearings at the sports ranges to ascertain their resistance to high speed particles (upon impact).
  • Drop ball tests: to check the security of the lenses
Mechanical Testing

Chemical Testing

Eyewear can regularly come into contact with a variety of health & beauty products and we feel it is essential to test the resistance of our eyewear against these types of products. Some chemical tests include:

  • Resistance and reaction to suncream lotions
  • Corrosion test: 24 hour perspiration test to see how frames react with perspirant chemicals
  • Testing the resistance of eyewear to aftercare cleaning solutions which could be alcohol based
Chemical Testing

Visual Inspection

This is an intensive and essential inspection process, checking for lens surface and material imperfections. At this stage we are looking for scratches, inclusions and blemishes that impact on the overall quality of the product. We also inspect for lens security, frame symmetry and check all relevant packaging information including swing tickets.

Visual Inspection