How to spot fake eclipse glasses before August 12, 2026

This is not a theoretical risk: in France, the national astronomy association already ordered the immediate withdrawal of a magazine sold in newsagents with non-compliant eclipse glasses. And the 2017 American precedent saw entire batches of counterfeits sold on major marketplaces. As stock shortages build ahead of August 12, dubious products will multiply. Here is how to spot them.

Why counterfeits proliferate before an eclipse

The equation is simple: demand explodes over a few weeks, buyers are rushed and under-informed, and it's a product worth a few euros that most people can't test themselves. A genuine ISO 12312-2 certified pair blocks over 99.99% of visible light and all UV and infrared. A counterfeit can look identical — same card, same design — with a film that lets through radiation thousands of times too intense. And since the retinal burn is painless and delayed, the victim only realises the next day.

The 6 checks that unmask a counterfeit

1

The ISO 12312-2 marking on the arms

Absent = disqualified. But beware: counterfeiters print it too. The marking is necessary, not sufficient — hence the following checks.

2

Full manufacturer identity

The name and address of the manufacturer or importer must appear on the product or packaging. An "anonymous" pair, even marked ISO, should be rejected.

3

The lamp test

Through a genuine filter, a bright LED bulb appears only as a very faint, sharp and comfortable point of light. If you can see room edges, haloes, or any ambient light: the filter is leaking. A genuine filter lets nothing through except intense sources.

4

The daylight test

Worn indoors or in the shade, genuine eclipse glasses are completely opaque — you literally see nothing. If you can see your surroundings, these are at best disguised sunglasses.

5

Consistency of the sales channel

Opticians, pharmacies, astronomy shops, planetariums and specialist retailers source from identified manufacturers. On marketplaces, be extremely wary of new third-party sellers with generic names and no track record — this is exactly the channel the 2017 counterfeits used.

6

Price and urgency pressure

A bargain lot with "limited stock, last chance" from an unknown seller ticks every warning sign. The normal price of a certified pair: €2 to €5.

Already bought a pair you're unsure about?

Do not use it, even "just for the start" of the eclipse. Run tests 3 and 4 above; if it fails either, discard it and report the seller — to the sales platform and to your local consumer protection authority. Replace it with a verifiably genuine pair — now, not the week of August 12 when reliable stock will have vanished.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the ISO 12312-2 marking guarantee authenticity?+
No: it is essential but can be faked. Cross-check it with the manufacturer's identity, the sales channel, and the opacity tests (lamp, daylight).
How can I test eclipse glasses without any instrument?+
Two immediate tests: indoors, you should see absolutely nothing through them; facing a bright LED, only a very faint, uniform image of the source should appear. Anything else disqualifies the pair.
What is the risk with fake glasses?+
Solar retinopathy: a retinal burn that is painless at the time, with delayed symptoms (blurred vision, permanent central spot) and in most cases irreversible.
Are glasses sold with magazines reliable?+
Not automatically: in France, one newsagent publication was withdrawn because its glasses were non-compliant, while specialist astronomy titles provide certified pairs. Apply the same checks as with any pair.
Where can I report suspicious glasses?+
On the sales platform (product reporting procedure) and to your national consumer protection authority — in the UK, Trading Standards; in Ireland, the CCPC; in other countries, the relevant consumer affairs body.