ISO 14135-1:2021
(Main)Optics and photonics — Specifications for telescopic sights — Part 1: General-purpose instruments
Optics and photonics — Specifications for telescopic sights — Part 1: General-purpose instruments
This document applies to general-purpose telescopic sights, used on hand-held firearms and airguns. It contains a classification to the usage of telescopic sights and specifies interfaces, minimum requirements and tolerances to their performances. High-performance telescopic sights are specified in ISO 14135-2.
Optique et photonique — Spécifications pour lunettes de pointage — Partie 1: Instruments pour usage général
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 10-Feb-2021
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 172/SC 4 - Telescopic systems
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 172/SC 4/WG 2 - Telescopic devices
- Current Stage
- 9092 - International Standard to be revised
- Start Date
- 14-Apr-2025
- Completion Date
- 14-Feb-2026
Relations
- Effective Date
- 23-Apr-2020
Overview
ISO 14135-1:2021 sets the international framework for general-purpose telescopic sights used on hand-held firearms and airguns. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard defines the classification, interfaces, minimum performance requirements, and tolerances for telescopic sights intended for everyday use. By establishing clear technical specifications and consumer information guidelines, ISO 14135-1:2021 ensures product reliability, compatibility, and safety for manufacturers, distributors, and end users.
Key Topics
Scope and Classification
ISO 14135-1:2021 applies to general-purpose telescopic sights, distinguishing between those designed for airguns, pistols, and rifles. This classification supports suitable selection and application based on the intended firearm type.Interfaces
The standard specifies cylindrical mounting interfaces-centrally and at the objective tube-ensuring compatibility with common firearm mounting systems. Recommendations for interface dimensions and alternatives such as dovetail bases are provided to accommodate a broad range of systems.Fundamental Requirements and Tolerances
Minimum requirements for optical and mechanical performance are outlined, including:- Eye relief distances by instrument type
- Resolution parameters
- Dioptre and reticle adjustment ranges
- Antireflection coating requirements
- Tolerances for magnification, field of view, parallax, and reticle positioning
Performance conformity must be validated using referenced ISO standards for testing.
Consumer Information and Marking
To support user safety and operational clarity, the standard mandates marking on each instrument and details the technical data to be provided in user manuals and product brochures.
Applications
Firearms Manufacturing
ISO 14135-1:2021 provides essential specifications for design and production, enabling manufacturers to develop telescopic sights that meet globally recognized performance and interface criteria.Quality Assurance and Compliance
By adhering to this standard, manufacturers and distributors demonstrate product reliability, support regulatory compliance, and facilitate access to international markets.Procurement and Product Selection
Military organizations, law enforcement, and sports shooting associations benefit from clear criteria for purchasing and evaluating general-purpose telescopic sights.Consumer Confidence
End users have access to standardized product information, markings, and operational requirements, ensuring informed purchasing decisions and safe product use.
Related Standards
Several ISO standards complement ISO 14135-1:2021 by covering specific terminology, test methods, and advanced specifications:
- ISO 14135-2: Specifications for high-performance telescopic sights
- ISO 14132-1, 14132-3: Vocabulary for telescopic systems and sights
- ISO 14490-1, 14490-3, 14490-5, 14490-7: Test methods for optical characteristics, including basic properties, telescopic sights, transmittance, and limits of resolution
- ISO 20711: Environmental requirements for telescopic systems
Practical Value
Compliance with ISO 14135-1:2021 supports the development and global trade of general-purpose telescopic sights by:
- Promoting interoperability through standardized interfaces
- Ensuring minimum quality thresholds for optical performance
- Providing end users with essential safety and operational information
- Facilitating compatibility with a wide variety of hand-held firearms and airguns
By aligning with ISO 14135-1:2021, stakeholders across the optics and photonics sector can assure product quality and meet international expectations for telescopic sight performance.
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ISO 14135-1:2021 - Optics and photonics -- Specifications for telescopic sights
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Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 14135-1:2021 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Optics and photonics — Specifications for telescopic sights — Part 1: General-purpose instruments". This standard covers: This document applies to general-purpose telescopic sights, used on hand-held firearms and airguns. It contains a classification to the usage of telescopic sights and specifies interfaces, minimum requirements and tolerances to their performances. High-performance telescopic sights are specified in ISO 14135-2.
This document applies to general-purpose telescopic sights, used on hand-held firearms and airguns. It contains a classification to the usage of telescopic sights and specifies interfaces, minimum requirements and tolerances to their performances. High-performance telescopic sights are specified in ISO 14135-2.
ISO 14135-1:2021 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 37.020 - Optical equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 14135-1:2021 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 14135-1:2017. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO 14135-1:2021 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14135-1
Fourth edition
2021-02
Optics and photonics — Specifications
for telescopic sights —
Part 1:
General-purpose instruments
Optique et photonique — Spécifications pour lunettes de pointage —
Partie 1: Instruments pour usage général
Reference number
©
ISO 2021
© ISO 2021
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Classification . 2
5 Interfaces . 2
6 Fundamental requirements . 2
7 Consumer information . 4
7.1 Marking . 4
7.2 Information brochures . 4
7.3 Conformity . 4
Annex A (informative) Recommended interface dimensions . 6
Bibliography . 9
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 172, Optics and photonics, Subcommittee
SC 4, Telescopic systems.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 14135-1:2017), which has been
technically revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— critical eye relief added to the product information.
A list of all parts in the ISO 14135 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14135-1:2021(E)
Optics and photonics — Specifications for telescopic
sights —
Part 1:
General-purpose instruments
1 Scope
This document applies to general-purpose telescopic sights, used on hand-held firearms and airguns.
It contains a classification to the usage of telescopic sights and specifies interfaces, minimum
requirements and tolerances to their performances.
High-performance telescopic sights are specified in ISO 14135-2.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 14132-1, Optics and photonics — Vocabulary for telescopic systems — Part 1: General terms and
alphabetical indexes of terms in ISO 14132
ISO 14132-3, Optics and photonics — Vocabulary for telescopic systems — Part 3: Terms for telescopic sights
ISO 14490-1, Optics and optical instruments — Test methods for telescopic systems — Part 1: Test methods
for basic characteristics
ISO 14490-3, Optics and photonics — Test methods for telescopic systems — Part 3: Test methods for
telescopic sights
ISO 14490-5, Optics and photonics — Test methods for telescopic systems — Part 5: Test methods for
transmittance
ISO 14490-7, Optics and photonics — Test methods for telescopic systems — Part 7: Test methods for limit
of resolution
ISO 20711, Optics and photonics — Environmental requirements — Test requirements for telescopic systems
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14132-1 and ISO 14132-3 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online bro
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14135-1
Fourth edition
2021-02
Optics and photonics — Specifications
for telescopic sights —
Part 1:
General-purpose instruments
Optique et photonique — Spécifications pour lunettes de pointage —
Partie 1: Instruments pour usage général
Reference number
©
ISO 2021
© ISO 2021
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Classification . 2
5 Interfaces . 2
6 Fundamental requirements . 2
7 Consumer information . 4
7.1 Marking . 4
7.2 Information brochures . 4
7.3 Conformity . 4
Annex A (informative) Recommended interface dimensions . 6
Bibliography . 9
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 172, Optics and photonics, Subcommittee
SC 4, Telescopic systems.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 14135-1:2017), which has been
technically revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— critical eye relief added to the product information.
A list of all parts in the ISO 14135 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14135-1:2021(E)
Optics and photonics — Specifications for telescopic
sights —
Part 1:
General-purpose instruments
1 Scope
This document applies to general-purpose telescopic sights, used on hand-held firearms and airguns.
It contains a classification to the usage of telescopic sights and specifies interfaces, minimum
requirements and tolerances to their performances.
High-performance telescopic sights are specified in ISO 14135-2.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 14132-1, Optics and photonics — Vocabulary for telescopic systems — Part 1: General terms and
alphabetical indexes of terms in ISO 14132
ISO 14132-3, Optics and photonics — Vocabulary for telescopic systems — Part 3: Terms for telescopic sights
ISO 14490-1, Optics and optical instruments — Test methods for telescopic systems — Part 1: Test methods
for basic characteristics
ISO 14490-3, Optics and photonics — Test methods for telescopic systems — Part 3: Test methods for
telescopic sights
ISO 14490-5, Optics and photonics — Test methods for telescopic systems — Part 5: Test methods for
transmittance
ISO 14490-7, Optics and photonics — Test methods for telescopic systems — Part 7: Test methods for limit
of resolution
ISO 20711, Optics and photonics — Environmental requirements — Test requirements for telescopic systems
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14132-1 and ISO 14132-3 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online bro
...








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