Lasers present a potential Radiation Hazard to the user. Consequently, products that include a laser also mustmeet additional laser product safety requirements – internal and external lasers, laser diodes built into a product,
laser packages mounted to a product, etc. ALL products that integrate a laser in any way are considered a “Laser
Product” and must meet the applicable laser safety requirements per the country of destination. Here is a brief
summary of the laser product safety requirements and related design considerations:

Standards: In addition to the safety standard for the overall product, products that incorporate a laser must also
comply with these requirements:

a) United States: The FDA’s “Center for Devices & Radiological Health” (CDRH) Department specifies the
requirements for Lasers within the United States. They can be found in 21 CFR parts 1010 and 1040.
Part 1010 is the general marking and instruction requirements. Part 1040 contains the laser requirements.
These requirements are available for free online. “UL” certification on products with a laser includes
verification that the product complies with Parts 1010 and 1040.

b) Canada: Canada references both the US-FDA requirements as well as the International IEC60825 series.
“CSA” certification on products with a laser includes verification that the product complies with these
requirements. Many times the product is also being certified for US/UL and Parts 1010 and 1040 and this
also satisfies the Canadian requirements (with bilingual English/French marking considerations).

c) European Union – CE: Laser product safety requirements fall under the Low Voltage Directive. The
standards currently specified on the LVD standards list for laser products are:

EN60825-1: Equipment classification and requirements

EN60825-2: Additional requirements for laser fiber optics

EN60825-4: Additional requirements for laser guards

EN60825-12: Additional requirements for a laser that transmits information through the air

d) International: Countries outside of the US/CAN/EU typically use the IEC laser safety standards or a close
variation. The current list of IEC laser safety standards for laser products are:

• IEC60825-1: Equipment classification and requirements
• IEC60825-2: Additional requirements for laser fiber optics
• IEC60825-4: Additional requirements for laser guards
• IEC60825-12: Additional requirements for a laser that transmits information through the air

Laser Class: The most important consideration in the scope of a laser safety review is the Laser Class. There
are actually two laser class ratings for a product that incorporates a laser

a) Laser Beam Class: What is the class rating of the laser beam?

• ‍Check the spec sheet for the laser or laser diode you are using.

b) Product Laser Class: What is the laser class rating for the overall product? This depends on your Laser
Beam class and whether the user is exposed to the beam.

Laser Enclosure (Protective Housing): The laser requirements state that the user should never be exposed to a
laser beam unless necessary for the purpose of the product. Also remember that if the user is exposed to a
higher level beam (Class III or Class IV), the user must wear personal protective equipment including laser safety
goggles. In addition, the equipment must be used in a specially protected room to prevent beam exposure to
others in the facility. So it is strongly suggested that you enclose your laser beam if possible.

• ‍

  Keep in mind that the beam can be scattered and reflected when striking an object – do not have any
  vents or openings in the laser enclosure for beams rated over Class I.

Classifying Your Laser Product:

• If the user is exposed to the beam, the Product Laser Class is the same as the Laser Beam Class.

• If the beam is completely enclosed such that the user has no access to the beam, the Product is Laser Class I.
• If the beam is enclosed but you have a viewing window or other laser filter such that the user can see but not access the beam, and the beam is above a Class I rating, you need to measure the exposure level to the user in order to determine the Product Laser Class.
• Keep in mind that depending on the wavelength, the beam may be either visible (light) or invisible (radiation).
• Products that have two lasers must be rated for both = products that have a Class III or Class IV invisible beam often include a Class I visible beam for sighting or alignment.

Laser Construction Requirements: Protective safety features must be incorporated in the product depending on
the Product Laser Class.

• Emission Indicator: Audible or visible warning required on Class II and IIIA rated products while the
  beam is powered.
• Radiation Emission Warning: Audible or visible warning required on Class IIIB and IV rated products
  when the laser system is switched on and when the beam is powered.

• Beam Attenuator or Beam Stop: Class IIIB and IV laser products must have a means for the user to
  stop the beam (shutter) or attenuate the beam to a safe level (filter).

• Key Control: Class IIIB and IV laser products must have a removable key for control of the laser.
• Remote Interlock Connector: Class IIIB and IV laser products must have a connector for a remote interlock. This is for interconnection to an interlock on a laster protective room door = if the door is opened for the room where the laser is operating, the beam shuts off preventing hazardous laser light from hitting the intruder or exiting the door.

Laser Marking Requirements: In addition to the typical markings required for a certified product, laser products
must also be marked to show the laser safety standards to which the product complies. Other laser specific
markings are required including a “Warning Logotype” which provides critical laser rating information to the
user.

Laser Reporting Requirements: In addition to “UL” certification in the USA, manufacturers of laser products
must also file an initial “CDRH Report” with the CDRH. There are also annual filing requirements. The only
exception is for Class I products using a Class I beam, where the device generating the Class I beam has also
been verified to comply with the Class I requirements. See the FDA’s CDRH information online.

Refer to the Laser Safety Standards for the full requirements

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