scope:

Scope and object 

IEC 60825-1 is applicable to safety of laser products. For convenience it is divided into three separate sections: Section One (General) and the annexes; Section Two (Manufacturing requirements); and Section Three (User's guide* ).

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. Typically, laser products are used for demonstration of physical and optical phenomena; materials processing; data reading and storage; transmission and display of information; etc. Such systems have found use in industry, business, entertainment, research, education and medicine. However, laser products which are sold to other manufacturers for use as components of any system for subsequent sale are not subject to IEC 60825-1, since the final product will itself be subject to this standard.

Throughout this part 1 light emitting diodes (LED) are included whenever the word "laser" is used. See also annex G which describes information which should be provided by manufacturers of LEDs.

Any laser product or LED product is exempt from all further requirements of this part 1 if

- classification by the manufacturer according to clauses 3, 8 and 9 shows that the emission level does not exceed the AEL of Class 1 under all conditions of operation, maintenance, service and failure, and

- it does not contain an embedded laser or embedded LED.

In addition to the hazards resulting from laser radiation, laser equipment may also give rise to other hazards such as fire and electric shock.

This part 1 describes the minimum requirements.

Where a laser system forms a part of equipment which is subject to another IEC product safety standard (e.g. for medical equipment (IEC 60601-2-22) IT equipment (IEC 60950), audio and video equipment (IEC 60065), equipment for use in hazardous atmospheres), this part 1 will apply in accordance with the provisions of IEC Guide 104**, for hazards resulting from laser radiation.

However, if the laser system is operable when removed from the equipment, all the requirements of this part 1 will apply to the removed unit.

If no product safety standard is applicable, then IEC 61010-1 shall apply.

The MPE (maximum permissible exposure) values of this part 1 were developed for laser radiation and do not apply to collateral radiation.

However, if a concern exists that accessible collateral radiation might be hazardous, the laser MPE values may be applied to conservatively evaluate this risk.

The MPE values shall not be applicable to patient exposure to laser radiation for the purpose of medical treatment.

NOTE Annexes A to D have been included for purposes of general guidance and to illustrate many typical cases. However, the annexes must not be regarded as definitive or exhaustive and reference should always be made to the appropriate ciause(s) in Sections One to Three.

Object

To protect persons from laser radiation in the wavelength range 180 nm to 1 mm* by indicating safe working levels of laser radiation and by introducing a system of classification of lasers and laser products according to their degree of hazard.

To lay down requirements for both user and manufacturer to establish procedures and supply information so that proper precautions can be adopted.

To ensure adequate warning to individuals of hazards associated with accessible radiation from laser products through signs, labels and instructions.

To reduce the possibility of injury by minimizing unnecessary accessible radiation and to give improved control of the laser radiation hazards through protective features and provide safe usage of laser products by specifying user control measures.

To protect persons against other hazards resulting from the operation and use of laser products.

* Some countries have requirements which differ from Section Three of this part 1. Therefore, contact the appropriate national agency for these requirements.

** IEC Guide 104:1984, Guide to the drafting of safety standards, and the role of Committees with safety pilot functions and safety group functions.

It gives guidance to IEC technical committees and to writers of specifications concerning the manner in which safety publications should be drafted.

This guide does not constitute a normative reference but reference to it is given for information only.

* In this pari 1, the wavelength range λ₁, to λ₂ means λ₁ ≤ λ < λ2 (e.g. 180 nm to 1 mm means 180 nm ≤ λ < 1 mm).