New European standard for safety of lasers in consumer products

                                                                                                                                                                                       

‘Laser’ is an acronym for ‘light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation’ and is associated with optical radiation hazards. Lasers have many applications, including certain functions in electrical consumer equipment such as IT & AV equipment and household appliances.

A laser product may consist of a single laser with or without a separate power supply or may incorporate one or more lasers in a complex optical, electrical, or mechanical system.

The applicable international safety standard for such laser products is IEC 60825-1 (Equipment classification and requirements). IEC 60825-1 applies to both consumer- and professional laser products and does not differentiate between these.

To the European version of this standard, i.e. EN 60825-1:2014, an Amendment 11 has now been added which requires compliance with the new European standard EN 50689:2021 (Particular Requirements for Consumer Laser Products). This entails additional needs for evaluation and marking of such laser products and will prevail from 18 January 2024. EN 50689:2021 is a harmonized standard under both the European Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD).

For further information and/or assistance with updating of certificates or declarations for CE-marking of such laser products, please contact Kristian.Osvoll@nemko.com   

(Article is based on text provided by Kristian Osvoll, edited by T.Sollie)