How safe are your solar eclipse glasses? Cheap fakes from online marketplaces pose a threat, supply-chain experts say

People from Maine to Texas are set for a uncommon deal with on April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will likely be seen throughout a lot of the U.S.

In ancient times, eclipse-viewers thought they had been watching the solar be eaten by wolves, a dragon or a demon.

In fact, we now know that the solar is not actually eaten throughout an eclipse. As a substitute, it does what it at all times does: rain ultraviolet rays on all the things in its path. That is why you need to by no means take a look at a photo voltaic eclipse with out protecting eyewear.

However not simply any eyewear will do. To just be sure you benefit from the total solar eclipse safely, the American Astronomical Society has particularly warned against shopping for eclipse glasses on the lowest value from on-line marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.

What offers? Why not save a buck on one thing you will use probably simply as soon as for a couple of minutes?

It turns on the market’s an excellent purpose: Misleading counterfeit products have infiltrated retail provide chains. And a few of them can pose a risk to your well being.

Invasion of the bogus merchandise

As experts in supply-chain management, we all know that counterfeit merchandise have turn out to be a rising downside lately.

Whereas counterfeit merchandise will be discovered at brick-and-mortar outlets, they’re an particularly huge downside at on-line marketplaces. Amazon removed more than 6 million counterfeit items from its provide chain in 2022 alone.

There are a number of causes for this. First, our latest analysis exhibits that consumers often consider the reputation of an online retailer whereas judging a product’s high quality. Unscrupulous third-party sellers can make the most of this reality by promoting their wares via a good on-line market.

One other complication arises from the achievement companies provided by some marketplaces, resembling Amazon, the place third-party sellers straight ship their merchandise to the net retailer’s warehouse for transport and dealing with. These types of achievement companies supply a little-known profit to retailers: If a product is operating out of inventory, they can “borrow” from a third-party seller’s inventory.

Sadly, this additionally signifies that a shopper who agrees to purchase from one retailer may very well obtain merchandise—maybe counterfeit—from a third-party seller. Whereas there aren’t statistics displaying how incessantly this occurs, there’s evidence it is a vital downside.

Fortunately, prospects have gotten extra conscious of counterfeit merchandise and have more and more pushed on-line retailers to separate inventories of licensed sellers of merchandise from people who aren’t. As an illustration, Amazon maintains a listing of “gated” manufacturers, resembling Asics and Beneath Armour, that require authorization earlier than they are often bought.

However these protections do not apply throughout the board. Actually, some counterfeit-prone manufacturers, resembling Birkenstock, refuse to promote their merchandise via some on-line retailers fully. That leaves a gap for counterfeiters, who have a tendency to supply the bottom costs.

That is why the American Astronomical Society recommends eclipse-watchers keep away from shopping for protecting glasses from the lowest-price sellers on on-line marketplaces. And we fully agree. In spite of everything, counterfeit sun shades will be returned, however harm to your eyes is everlasting. In 2017, one California man carrying counterfeit eclipse glasses was left with retina damage.

The right way to discover secure photo voltaic eclipse glasses

For those who’re out there for eclipse glasses, it is not arduous to get a secure pair. First, shopping for straight from one of many American Astronomical Society’s approved list of brands and manufacturers is essentially the most dependable method. Sadly, a lot of them solely promote cheaper, disposable photo voltaic eclipse viewers in bulk.

For those who want a single pair, your subsequent most suitable choice is to buy one from a significant brick-and-mortar chain retailer in particular person. Many organizations are additionally handing out free viewers. For those who take one, you need to be sure that it was made by a producer on the American Astronomical Society’s listing.

For those who should purchase from an internet market, search for proof of producer authorization. As an illustration, American Paper Optics—an American Astronomical Society-approved model—maintains a list of Amazon sellers accepted for reselling their viewers.

What in case you’ve already purchased one thing from a no-name vendor on Amazon? As an example you acquire a pair of sun shades, or eclipse glasses, with UV safety. It is arduous to confirm UV safety properties. Positive, there are requirements and certifications resembling UV400 and ISO 12312-2, however as you may have in all probability guessed, even these will be faked. As an illustration, you possibly can simply purchase complete rolls of UV400 stickers on-line.

Fortunately, most native opticians can test your sunglasses’ UV protection properties in seconds. In different phrases, when doubtful, confirm.

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