What is Taiwan BSMI Sunglasses Certification? Must-see signs and precautions when purchasing

May 23, 2025 ChangWilson

Sunglasses are not only about appearance, but also about safety. When we buy sunglasses, we often only pay attention to the appearance design, brand or sunshade effect, but ignore the more important "verification standards" behind them. In Taiwan, all sunglasses sold should actually be subject to a set of standard inspection system regulations called BSMI, which not only protects consumers' vision safety, but also serves as a basis for confirming the product's protective function. This article will take you to understand what BSMI certification is and how to read the label, helping you choose truly reliable and safe sunglasses.

What is BSMI certification and why is it important?

BSMI is the abbreviation of the "Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Ministry of Economic Affairs", a national agency responsible for managing the safety and quality of Taiwan's products. For products such as sunglasses that are directly related to human health, the government has already established clear safety standards.

Since 2018, Taiwan has implemented a "product verification and registration system" for sunglasses, requiring businesses to submit them for inspection and obtain certification before they can be legally sold.

Products must pass a series of tests such as light transmittance (0-4 levels), UV shielding ability, optical quality (avoiding visual distortion), etc. before qualified products can be affixed with the exclusive BSMI mark (circular logo and verification number) . Therefore, the BSMI qualified mark is the best basis for identifying whether a product meets the standards.

Inspection items	Description and significance	Source (sorted)
Transmittance ( visible light penetration )	Sunglasses are divided into categories 0 to 4 based on light transmittance: Category 0 is the most transparent (for night use), and Category 4 is the darkest (for use in snowy areas, high mountains and strong sunlight). BSMI requires clear labeling to allow consumers to choose the appropriate usage scenario. According to the announcement of the Taiwan Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, category 2 to 3 lenses are suitable for daily outdoor activities.	Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Ministry of Economic Affairs｜CNS 15067 National Standard
Ultraviolet shielding ability (UV400)	The lenses must be able to block more than 99.9% of UVA and UVB. Only when they meet the UV400 standard can they provide effective protection. According to the national standard CNS 15067, lenses that do not meet UV400 have no protective effect even if they are dark in color, and can easily cause eye damage.	Taiwan Ophthalmological Association, BSMI Verification Announcement
Optical quality (visual accuracy)	The lenses must pass optical quality tests, including not causing image distortion, not distorting the edges of objects, etc. BSMI emphasizes that the lenses must have no obvious dispersion or deviation, otherwise long-term wearing will cause visual fatigue, dizziness and even loss of focus.	Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Ministry of Economic Affairs, ITRI Optical Testing Center

Introduction to visible light and invisible light

When buying sunglasses, people often confuse "light transmittance" with "UV400" . In fact, the two belong to different protection mechanisms:

Light transmittance refers to how much "visible light" the lens allows to pass through, which determines how dark the glasses look. It is divided into categories 0 to 4, corresponding to different lighting environments (such as indoors, daily outdoors, strong sunlight, etc.).
UV400 (ultraviolet shielding ability) refers to how much "ultraviolet light" in "invisible light" the lens can block. UV400 is used to determine whether the lens can effectively block ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 280-400nm (including UVA and UVB) . It has nothing to do with the color of the lens and is the core indicator for protecting eye health.

In other words: light transmittance is related to "whether you can see clearly", and UV400 is related to "whether it hurts your eyes" . When choosing the right sunglasses, these two indicators cannot be ignored.

GoPlayer® UV400 Protection｜Spectrum protection diagram

This chart shows the location of ultraviolet rays (UVC / UVB / UVA), visible light and infrared rays in the spectrum, and specifically indicates the UV400 protection range (280–400nm) that GoPlayer® sunglasses can block, completely covering the entire ultraviolet band to protect your eyes from harm.

BSMI visible light transmittance classification and applicable scenarios

Grade classification	Transmittance range	Applicable scenarios	Remark
Category 0	More than 80%	For nighttime and indoor use, without sunshade function	Mostly clear or slightly tinted lenses
Category 1	43% ~ 80%	In cloudy and low-light environments, glare can be slightly reduced	Transitional use between indoor and outdoor
Category 2	18% ~ 43%	Daily outdoor activities, general driving, basic sun protection	The most common outdoor sports and daily models
Category 3	8% ~ 18%	In strong sunlight, such as at the beach, on the golf course, or when climbing mountains	Specially designed for outdoor strong light, with excellent sunshade
Category 4	3% ~ 8%	It is not recommended to use it while driving in extremely strong sunlight environments, such as snow, deserts, and mountains.	Can cause dim vision, not suitable for nighttime and driving use

All GoPlayer® sports sunglasses use "Type 3 filter" lenses with a light transmittance between 8-18%, designed for outdoor strong light situations. This type of lens can greatly reduce glare interference and effectively maintain a clear field of vision, especially suitable for:

Golf course (strong sunlight reflection, precise aiming required)
Cycling (stable vision is extremely important when moving at high speed)
Running training and mountain hiking (long-term exposure to the sun)

At the same time, GoPlayer® is equipped with REVO multi-layer coating, HYPERBOLOID hyperbolic lenses and UV400 full-band protection, allowing you to see clearly even in strong light without eye fatigue, truly achieving "blocking light without blocking clarity".

GoPlayer® Lightweight Sunglasses

Product number: GEY50030

View Product

BSMI's certification standards for UV400

project	BSMI certification standard (CNS 15067)
UV shielding range	Need to block wavelength 280nm-400nm (including UVA and UVB)
UVA Transmission Limit	No higher than 5% (i.e. more than 95% of UVA must be blocked)
UVB Transmission Limit	No higher than 1% (i.e. more than 99% of UVB must be blocked)
Valid marking conditions	Must be marked with UV400 and the lens filter level and manufacturer information
Common labeling terms	UV400, 100% UV Protection, Anti-UV, Anti-UV, etc. all need to be verified by actual measurement
Effect of lens tinting	Dark lenses do not mean high protection, and they must be tested to confirm their UV blocking ability

GoPlayer® sunglasses have passed stricter UV protection tests. According to the test report:

UVA penetration rate: only 0.397% (standard ≤ 5%)
UVB penetration: 0% completely blocked (standard ≤ 1%)

This means that GoPlayer® lenses not only meet the UV400 standard, but are also significantly better than Taiwan's BSMI CNS 15067 national standard , protecting against 100% UV rays.

How to read the BSMI conformity mark?

Qualified products will be marked:

Product verification mark (circle)
Verify login number (eg. D33E47)
Packaging/instructions: UV400, filter classification, optical classification, manufacturer information

Overview of Sunglass Labelling (BSMI/Filter Classification/Driving Restrictions)

The picture integrates the BSMI product certification mark, light filtering classification (CAT 0-4) and the "Not for Driving" warning icon to help consumers identify the purpose of sunglasses and whether they are qualified at a glance. Please recognize these signs before purchasing to ensure your visual safety.

The verification number can be checked on the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection website to confirm whether it is legally registered. This information is an important basis for you to judge when choosing professional products.

How to check whether the BSMI verification number is qualified?

Consumers can verify through the online query platform provided by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection of the Ministry of Economic Affairs:

Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection BSMI Product Verification Login Query System

Query steps:

After entering the website, select the "Verify Login Font Size" or "Product Name" field
Enter the verification registration number marked on the glasses (the registration number for the entire GoPlayer® series of sunglasses is: D33E47)
Click to check whether the product is eligible for registration.

Common misunderstandings and purchasing risks

Many cheap sunglasses may look like they block the sun, but they actually offer no protection. Dark lenses can actually dilate the pupils, and without UV protection, UV damage can be even more severe.

⚠ Common risks include:

Blurred vision (error in light transmittance)
Eye injury (fragile material)
Visual fatigue (uneven lens thickness)

These risks are often invisible from the outside and can only be effectively controlled through BSMI certification.

Why choose GoPlayer® sunglasses?

All series of sports sunglasses launched by GoPlayer® have passed Taiwan BSMI certification and have:

3-level filter classification: suitable for strong sunlight, such as the beach, golf course, mountain climbing, etc.
Level 1 optical grading: the highest standard, no image distortion (the entire series uses HYPERBOLOID hyperbolic lens technology)
UV400 full protection: effectively resists 100% of ultraviolet rays
Impact-resistant frame: Improves sports safety

The product page and packaging are both accompanied by verification information. Not only does the design focus on functionality and coverage, but it also provides comprehensive protection in terms of safety and comfort.

Choose the right glasses to wear them for a long time and see clearly

The value of sunglasses does not only come from their appearance, but also from their protection of vision. BSMI certification is the most reliable basis for your purchase. GoPlayer® series sunglasses are not only professional, but also allow you to wear them with peace of mind and play beautifully.

GoPlayer® Sports Sunglasses (Blue Frame Green Lenses)

GoPlayer® sports sunglasses (blue frame with green lenses

Product number: GEY50028