ZEISS Testing Methods: Setting Even Higher Internal Standards

Renewed DAkks certification for the ZEISS Group Test Center in Aalen

ZEISS tests eyeglass lenses at three highly specialized locations known as its Group Test Centers (GTC). Globally, only three test labs for eye care have thus far received the highest lab certification level as defined in DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025*. Now, the GTC in Aalen has been recertified in accordance with this standard, once again confirming the impartiality and the outstanding quality of the test methods and environment.

Press contact

Chantal Kaucher
International PR
Phone +49 7361 591 1950
chantal .kaucher @zeiss .com

Aalen, Germany | 27 May 2019 | ZEISS Vision Care

ZEISS has been inspecting its own eyeglass lenses at its network of Group Test Centers in Aalen, Germany, Tijuana, Mexico, and Guangzhou, China, since 2010. Thus far, the company has developed 24 of its own test procedures, four of which have already been accredited and 20 validated. The special thing about these sites: external partners are also eager to use the opportunity to have their products tested at ZEISS in the independent test lab. Today, the Group Test Center network already assists more than 20 international customers from Europe, the US and Asia along with its internal partners.

36 tests on offer

Currently, 36 chemical, thermal and mechanical tests are available. The most important in-house developments include methods like the Bayer test, water barrier test and various exposure tests. The primary driving force behind ZEISS' decision to develop its own methods was the fact that the minimum specifications stipulated in the eye care industry's standards no longer cover all of today's requirements. The standards were originally developed for mineral lenses, but now other specifications apply at ZEISS to the wide of range of plastic lenses currently available.

ZEISS lenses are also subject to the company's own exacting quality requirements, which also go unaddressed in the standards. Inspecting, approving and continually improving new innovations in the eyeglass sector is only possible with the help of test procedures, some of which the company has developed in-house. This way, ZEISS can deliver the high quality that eye care professionals and their patients around the globe have come to expect.

*This standard stipulates general requirements for labs' expertise, methods and impartiality. The certification confirms that labs deliver valid results. Labs certified in line with this standard also work in accordance with the general provisions of ISO 9001, which is often referred to as the "quality management standard."

Download & Share

Press contact

Chantal Kaucher
International PR
Phone +49 7361 591 1950
chantal .kaucher @zeiss .com

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling more than 5.8 billion euros in its four segments Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (status: 30 September 2018).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future far beyond the optics and optoelectronics industries. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership.

With around 30,000 employees, ZEISS is represented in nearly 50 countries, with approximately 60 of its own sales and service companies and 30 manufacturing and development centers around the globe. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

For more information, please visit www.zeiss.com


ZEISS Vision Care
ZEISS Vision Care is one of the world's leading manufacturers of eyeglass lenses and ophthalmic instruments. The area is part of the Consumer Markets segment and develops and produces offerings for the entire eyeglass value chain that are distributed globally under the ZEISS brand.