In anticipation of consumer adoption of virtual and augmented reality in the near future, TÜV Rheinland and Eyesafe announced plans to expand the Eyesafe® Certification Program to include Eyesafe Near Eye Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications.
SHANGHAI, CHINA and MINNEAPOLIS, USA // Jan 12, 2021 // Eyesafe, the world leader in low blue light solutions for consumer electronics, and TÜV Rheinland Group, a world leader in third-party testing and certification, today revealed plans for an ambitious expansion of the popular Eyesafe® Display Certification program in 2021. The Eyesafe program certifies devices that meet industry-leading standards for blue light emissions and color performance. Created in concert with leaders in healthcare and health research, it has been adopted by brands representing over 70% market share in laptops and notebooks.
The Eyesafe program experienced strident growth in 2020, buoyed by skyrocketing demand for low blue light solutions amid the global pandemic. This heightened demand is signaling a major shift in how consumer electronics are designed and developed by the consumer electronics global supply chain.
In anticipation of increased demand for Eyesafe Certified products, TÜV Rheinland and Eyesafe announced a strengthening of their strategic relationship to include amplified joint research and advocacy programs, as well as an expansion of the types of Eyesafe Certifications that will be offered. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment in consumer electronics, as the industry begins to put more emphasis on consumer health and safety.
“Market demand for low blue light solutions, coupled with increased levels of screen time and a more robust array of digital devices, has been a boon to the Eyesafe Certification program” commented Kalyan Varma, Vice President of TÜV Rheinland, Business Field Electrical, Global. “In the year ahead, we look forward to expansion of the Eyesafe® Certification program to include TV display manufacturers, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
Later in 2021, TÜV Rheinland and Eyesafe will be sharing new details about the forthcoming Eyesafe Near Eye certification for VR and AR. Given the increased exposure of high-energy blue light from devices held close to the eye and associated health impacts, the need for Eyesafe and TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe Certified solutions is of high importance.
“We are glad that the consumer electronics industry has widely adopted the TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe Display Certification program,” said Dr. David Friess, Chair of the Eyesafe Vision Health Advisory Board. “The market adoption and move to new product formats and applications is important, and sends a message from the largest brands in the world that health is a top priority.”
To learn more about the TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe Display Certification program, please contact Eyesafe at [email protected].
About the Eyesafe® Display Standard
Supported by the Eyesafe® Vision Health Advisory Board, the Eyesafe Display requirements are based on the growing body of research of potential health impacts linked to screen time and blue light exposure. The requirements also consider consumer electronics manufacturer requirements for accurate color performance. The Eyesafe Display Standard has been developed to provide transparency to consumers and is further built upon existing standards and guidelines developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), Eyesafe and TÜV Rheinland.
Recent studies have shown growing concerns over potential long-term eye health impacts from digital screen usage and cumulative blue light exposure. Blue light exposure research and studies on animals’ cells have shown that blue light in a range of 415 to 455 nm generated the greatest phototoxic risk to retinal pigment epithelium cells, with photoreceptor cell apoptosis seen early after the retina is damaged by blue light*.
*See eyesafe.com/research
About TÜV Rheinland
TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, founded nearly 150 years ago. The group maintains a worldwide presence of more than 20,000 people; annual turnover is EUR 2 billion. The independent experts stand for quality and safety for people, technology and the environment in nearly all aspects of life. TÜV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects, and helps to shape processes and information security for companies. Its experts train people in a wide range of careers and industries. To this end, TÜV Rheinland employs a global network of approved labs, testing and education centers. Since 2006, TÜV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com
Contact for Eyesafe
Arick Wierson
[email protected]
Contacts for TÜV Rheinland
Simon Hung, PR Manager, TÜV Rheinland Greater China
+852 21921948
[email protected]
Eunice Wu, PR Supervisor, TÜV Rheinland Greater China
+86 21 60811868
[email protected]