Modified:
There’s a wide range of products that use lasers. They include toys, bar code scanners, medical products and even consumer electronics. So safety is a primary concern of those who manufacture and distribute these products. The IEC 60825 series is the primary standards set for just this very issue. And now the IEC 60825-1, “Safety of laser products – Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements,” has just been revised. If you use the standard, you’ll want to get this new edition now.
The 3rd edition is a technical revision and replaces the previous 2nd edition from 2007. There are a number of changes. First, a new Class 1C is included. Then the “eye loupe” condition (measurement condition 2) has been removed. You’ll also find that you can now use the IEC 62471 series to classify the emission of laser products below a certain radiance level when they are intended to be used as a replacement for conventional light sources. And lastly, the accessible emission limits for Classes 1, 1M, 2, 2M and 3R of pulsed sources are updated to harmonize the document with ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) guidelines.
Another big change is the removal of LEDs from the scope of the document. You’ll still find them in other parts of the IEC 60825 series, but they have been deleted from the IEC 60825-1 since lamp safety standards now cover this specific area in depth.
You’ll always want to remember that this standard covers the minimum safety requirements. In certain applications, it may be necessary to meet other standards in addition to this one. And of course, if you are developing component parts, your customers will be required to meet this standard. So it does not apply to you unless the laser product you supply is still operable if removed from the end product.
You’ll want to purchase this new edition, and you can do so by going to the Document Center webstore at www.document-center.com. You’ll find our online catalog covers over 450,000 different titles and almost a million separate revisions. Or you can certainly contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We’re a woman-owned small business, located in Silicon Valley, and we’ve been selling standards since 1982. Make us your Standards Experts!
