USRA Protective Eyewear Policy

protective eyewear policy

On the issue of eyewear safety, and -- in cooperation with legal counsel, the SGMA [Sporting Goods Manufacturer's Association] and eyeguard manufacturers -- the USRA has carefully formulated and adopted the policy which follows. It is designed to simplify the overall process of identifying eyewear models which meet the cited safety standard, and is outlined in three segments: 1) a clarification of Rule 2.5(a); 2) a set of policies regarding the publication of ASTM Eyewear Lists; and 3) a procedure by which to document requests to add eyewear models.

Part One: Rule 2.5(a)

[From the USRA Official Rules of Racquetball]
Rule 2.5(a): All players must wear lensed eyewear that has been warranted by its manufacturer or distributor as 1.) designed for use in racquetball and 2.) meeting or exceeding either the full ASTM F803 standard or Canadian (CSA) impact standard. This rule applies to all persons, including those who wear corrective lenses. The eyewear must be unaltered and worn as designed at all times. A player who fails to wear proper eyewear will be assessed a technical foul and a timeout to obtain proper eyewear. A second infraction in the same match will result in immediate forfeiture of the match.

Certifications & Compliance. The USRA maintains a reference list of eyewear so warranted by their manufacturers, and provides that list to each sanctioned event (an eyewear list dated more than 90 days prior to the first day of the tournament will be deemed invalid for the purpose of determining compliance with this eyewear rule). In addition, the list is available online at the USRA.org website (indexed under "eyeguards"), and individual copies may be requested by calling the USRA National Office at 719/635-5396.
To be used in sanctioned competition, protective eyewear must:
— bear a permanent, physical stamp of the appropriate "ASTM-F803" citation on the frame itself, OR
— appear on the ASTM reference listing, OR
— bear the "Protective Eyewear Certification Council" [PECC] seal of approval for the ASTM standard, OR
— be certified in writing by the maker that it complies with the required ASTM standard (in this instance, the player must be able to provide written, adequate proof - on demand - at any sanctioned event, before such eyewear may be used).

Part Two: Publication Policies

Distribution: The current list of ASTM eyewear will be made available

Upon request from the USRA National Office.
Via the USRA's Internet Website [http://www.usra.org/usra/pub&ref/eyeguard.htm]
By mail to every State President with scheduled updates.
By mail to every director of a USRA sanctioned tournament.

Additions: Eyewear will be added to the list as soon as a manufacturer notifies the USRA National Office in writing [see Part Three: Documentation] that a specific model(s) fully complies with the criteria stipulated in Rule 2.5(a).

Deletions: The USRA will delete eyewear from the list:

Immediately following written notice to do so by the manufacturer.
Ninety (90) days after written notice is sent to the manufacturer that the testing standard has been materially changed and, therefore, new testing of previously listed eyewear is justified.
Immediately following a determination by the Board of Directors that a reasonable basis exists to question whether a certain eyewear actually meets the criteria, irrespective of manufacturer claims.

Consumer Packaging & Promotions: Manufacturers of eyewear which complies with the criteria will clearly display by prominent graphic or lettering on the outside packaging that the eyewear inside is designed for racquetball and that it meets or exceeds the full ASTM F803.94 standard or Canadian (CSA) impact standard.

Part Three: Documentation

In order for eyewear models to appear in published ASTM lists, requests must incorporate all five of the following components:
1. Any and all requests must be made in writing, using the official company letterhead of the manufacturer/distributor.
2. Text must certify by reference to Rule 2.5(a), that the cited eyewear is warranted by the manufacturer/distributor to comply with the standard contained therein.
3. Text must contain a list of eyewear by model and/or number, including supplemental information on special features and suggested retail pricing [refer to enclosed list for key and details]
4. Text must stipulate that the signator representative is authorized to make such claims on behalf of the manufacturer/distributor named, and does so with full knowledge that said claims and warranties are true.
5. The completed document must be notarized.

We feel that this greatly-streamlined procedure is far simpler for the manufacturers of protective eyewear, as well as their consumers, while at the same time enables the USRA to continue to service its membership with the most accurate, up-to-date reference material available.

We hope that this will clarify any remaining questions regarding the protective eyewear policy, but if you would like to discuss any of its details, please feel free to contact any of the individuals listed below.

Jim Hiser, USRA Executive Director
719/635-5396, ext. 130
Linda Mojer, USRA Assoc. ED/Communications
719/635-5396, ext. 127