What is IS 5983?
IS 5983 : 1980 is the Indian Standard specification published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that covers the requirements for industrial safety goggles. It was first published in 1980 and remains the primary national standard governing the design, materials, optical quality, and testing of safety goggles used across Indian industries.
The full title is: “IS 5983 : 1980 — Specification for Industrial Safety Goggles”.
Any safety goggle supplied to Indian public sector undertakings (PSUs), railways, defence establishments, mining operations, or government tenders must comply with IS 5983 / 1980. This is a mandatory procurement requirement in most central and state government purchase orders.
Why Does IS 5983 Exist?
Industrial environments expose workers to a wide range of eye hazards — flying particles from grinding, molten metal splash from welding, harmful radiation from furnaces, chemical splashes, and dust. Without a standardised specification, there would be no guarantee that a “safety goggle” actually provides meaningful protection.
IS 5983 ensures that every certified safety goggle meets minimum requirements for:
- Impact resistance — lenses must withstand a steel ball drop test without shattering
- Optical quality — lenses must not distort vision or cause eye strain over prolonged use
- Material safety — frame materials must be non-toxic, non-flammable, and skin-safe
- UV and IR filtration — filter lenses must block harmful radiation within specified shade ranges
- Durability — goggles must maintain their protective properties under normal industrial conditions
Key Requirements of IS 5983
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Frame Material | Cellulose Acetate, Vulcanised Fibre, or approved thermoplastic — non-flammable, skin-safe, chemical resistant |
| Lens Material | Toughened safety glass or optical-grade polycarbonate — minimum 3 mm thickness |
| Impact Test | Must survive a 22 mm diameter, 44 g steel ball dropped from 1.3 m height without cracking or fragmenting |
| Optical Quality | Class 1 optical quality — no visible distortion, prismatic deviation within ±0.12 prism dioptre |
| Filter Shades | DIN 2 through DIN 14 for welding applications — shade number must be permanently marked on the lens |
| UV Protection | 100% UV filtration required for all filter lenses |
| Ventilation | Indirect ventilation required for chemical splash goggles — direct ventilation permitted for dust/impact goggles |
| Marking | Every goggle must be permanently marked with the manufacturer name, IS 5983 reference, and shade number (for filters) |
| Weight | Complete goggle assembly should not exceed 120 g for wearer comfort during extended use |
Industries Where IS 5983 Is Mandatory
What is CLI Approval?
CLI stands for the Central Labour Institute, a division of the Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.
CLI Approval means the goggle has been independently tested and certified by this government body to meet the requirements of IS 5983. It is the gold standard for Indian industrial safety goggles.
Important for Procurement
Most government and PSU tenders explicitly require “CLI Approved, IS 5983 / 1980 compliant” safety goggles. Products without CLI approval will be rejected at the tender evaluation stage. All OSWAL Industries safety goggles carry CLI Approval.
IS 5983 vs International Standards
| Standard | Region | Scope | Equivalent To IS 5983? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IS 5983 : 1980 | India | Industrial safety goggles | — |
| EN 166 : 2001 | Europe | Personal eye protection — specifications | Yes — broader scope but similar impact & optical requirements |
| ANSI Z87.1 | USA | Occupational eye & face protection | Yes — generally more stringent impact testing |
| AS/NZS 1337.1 | Australia / NZ | Eye protectors for industrial applications | Yes — comparable scope |
| IS 14352 | India | Safety spectacles (not goggles) | No — IS 14352 covers spectacles, IS 5983 covers goggles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IS 5983 mandatory for all industries in India?
IS 5983 compliance is mandatory for all government tenders, PSU procurement, railways, mining, and defence. Private industries are strongly recommended to use IS 5983 compliant goggles as per the Factories Act, 1948 and state factory rules.
What is the difference between IS 5983 and IS 14352?
IS 5983 covers safety goggles (wrap-around, sealed eye protection). IS 14352 covers safety spectacles (open-frame, temple-style). Both serve different hazard levels — goggles provide sealed protection, spectacles provide basic impact protection.
How do I verify if a goggle is genuinely IS 5983 certified?
Check for: (1) CLI Approval certificate — ask the manufacturer to produce it, (2) IS 5983 marking permanently embossed or printed on the frame, (3) BIS licence number on the packaging. OSWAL Industries provides all certification documentation on request.
Does IS 5983 cover welding goggles?
Yes. IS 5983 specifies filter shade requirements from DIN 2 through DIN 14 for welding goggles. The shade number must be permanently marked on the filter lens.
Can IS 5983 goggles be used in chemical environments?
Yes, provided the goggle has indirect ventilation (sealed vents that prevent liquid splash ingress). IS 5983 specifies ventilation requirements for chemical splash protection.
OSWAL Products Compliant with IS 5983
All OSWAL Industries safety goggles are CLI Approved and IS 5983 / 1980 certified. Our range includes:
Welding Goggles (DIN 2–14)
Complete shade range for all welding applications
Cup Type Safety Goggles
Classic industrial eye protection for general use
Chemical Splash Goggles
Sealed, indirect-ventilated splash protection
OSWAL Boss Spectacle Frame
Premium acetate safety spectacle with toughened glass
Furnace Observation Goggles
High-shade filters for furnace and smelter work
Supravision Safety Goggles
Panoramic one-piece lens, EN 166 + IS 5983 certified
Need IS 5983 Compliant Safety Goggles?
OSWAL Industries has been manufacturing CLI-approved, IS 5983 / 1980 certified safety eyewear since 1983. Contact us for bulk pricing, tender supply, or custom requirements.