Rugby Goggles Approval

Adults Rugby Goggles

Junior Rugby Goggles

1. Introduction

Rugby Union is a full contact sport which requires any equipment used by players to minimize the risk of injury to both themselves and those playing with and against them. Rugby Goggles have been developed to ensure that people who require corrective lenses to play and who cannot or do not wish to wear contact lenses can do so. While Rugby Goggles are not intended to be protective, they may be used if considered so by people with reduced sight in one or both eyes. There may be occasions where wearing the Rugby goggle increases the risk of injury. Anyone intending to use Rugby Goggles while playing contact Rugby should consult with an ophthalmic specialist to get advice on whether they are suitable for them to partake in a full contact sport.

To ensure that Rugby Goggles minimize the risk of injury to wearers and other players, World Rugby has developed this Rugby Goggles Performance Specification (the specification). This specification is a rigorous test program that describes and assesses the physical and optical aspects of the goggle performance and design. In accordance with World Rugby Regulation 12 any goggles used for contact Rugby (at all levels of the game) shall comply with World Rugby Regulation 12.

Rugby Goggles are not intended to be protective, but it is recognized that in complying with the specification there is a likelihood that some protective qualities will exist. World Rugby have attempted to balance the risks to all players that may be introduced by the use of goggles with the need to enable their use. It is also recognized that the goggles will not be appropriate for those who need to wear corrective lenses but who cannot or choose not to wear contact lenses.

Compliance with this specification shall be completed by a relevant World Rugby Accredited Test House. All goggles meeting the requirements of the specification will be permitted to display the World Rugby Approved logo and only products displaying this logo will be permitted for use for contact Rugby games in all jurisdictions.

2. Terminology

For the avoidance of doubt, the following are definitions for terminology used in this performance specification. These may not be consistent with those used in the referenced documents (or in ISO 4007) and care should be taken when referencing to any external document.

Goggles – The entire appliance, composed of the visor, the padding the strap and the prescription insert, where used.

Visor – The main body of the goggle

Prescription insert – The part of the goggles, not included in the visor, containing the ophthalmic prescription of the wearer

3. The World Rugby Process to Achieve Device Approval

4. Manufacturers

It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure that any product being sold or supplied for use in rugby has been previously tested in the laboratory by an accredited World Rugby Test House to ensure it meets the requirements set out in this specification.

The manufacturer should consult with a Test House to ensure that the correct components are submitted to enable the test to be carried out in accordance with this specification.

The minimum sizes and numbers of samples provided for testing shall be in compliance with this performance specification.

Once all laboratory testing has been completed an application to use the World Rugby Approved Mark shall be sought from World Rugby and all devices shall display the approved logo at all times to be authorized for use (see Section 3 for an overview).

5. Test House Requirements

Test Institutes shall be independent testing establishments who have been accredited by World Rugby and have entered into a contract with World Rugby to provide these services.

Test Institutes should be ISO 1702513 Accredited for all test procedures referenced in this document and must be ISO 17025 Accredited for all of those listed in the table below.