THE VISION COUNCIL ANNOUNCES THE PUBLICATION OF THE ASC Z80 SPECTRAL BANDS TASK FORCE TECHNICAL REPORT
Alexandria, VA – December 8, 2023 – The Vision Council and ASC Z80 are pleased to announce the publication of the Spectral Bands Task Force Technical Report by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee Z80. This Technical Report documents the discussion and decisions of the ASC Z80 Spectral Bands Task Force regarding the standardization of terminology/nomenclature for the 380–500 nm spectrum of radiation.
Michael Vitale, Vice President of Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs at The Vision Council, stated, "The publication of the Spectral Bands Task Force Technical Report marks a significant milestone for standards in the eyecare industry. This uniformity of terminology is crucial for manufacturers, as it ensures consistency and clarity in the production and marketing of eyewear. We as The Vision Council are proud to have helped facilitate this advancement and remain committed to upholding the best standards for our industry.”
The primary outcome of the task force was the development of the following band scheme: 380–500 nm is defined as High Energy Visible (HEV) light with sub-bands of 380–400 nm (HEV 3), 400–455 nm (HEV 2), and 455–500 nm (HEV 1). Another outcome was guidance for HEV claims. The task force recommends the provision of a transmission spectrum over the full HEV range and transmission percentages for all three sub-bands when making HEV claims. In this way, the full impact of the spectrum may be understood, as well as give orientation as to the general nature of the radiation in question. It is anticipated that the adoption of this scheme and claims guidance will aid orientation of future discussions about radiation in this range and will enable the industry to better understand the impact of HEV light through the usage of standardized vocabulary.
The Vision Council serves as the Secretariat Administrator for Accredited Standards Committee Z80, the group responsible for developing national standards that apply to prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, ophthalmic instruments and medical devices including intraocular lenses and laser systems.
Access the free report and learn more about The Vision Council’s technical standards here.
For questions related to the technical report or ASC Z80, please contact The Vision Council’s Vice President: Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs, Michael Vitale at mvitale@thevisioncouncil.org.