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Description / Abstract:
Scope and object
IEC 60825-1 is applicable to safety of laser products emitting
laser radiation in the wavelength range 180 nm to 1 mm.
Although lasers exist which emit at wavelengths less than 180 nm
(within the vacuum ultraviolet), these are not included in the
scope of the standard since the laser beam normally has to be
enclosed in an evacuated enclosure, and, therefore, the potential
optical radiation hazards are inherently minimal.
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, medicine and consumer products.
Laser products that 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. Laser products that are sold by or for manufacturers of
end products for use as repair parts for the end products are also
not subject to IEC 60825-1. However, if the laser system within the
laser product is operable when removed from the end product, the
requirements of this Part 1 apply to the removable laser
system.
NOTE 1 Operable equipment does not require a tool to prepare for
operation.
Any laser product is exempt from all further requirements of
this Part 1 if classification by the manufacturer of that product
according to Clauses 4 and 5 shows that the emission level does not
exceed the AEL (accessible emission limit) of Class 1 under all
conditions of operation, maintenance, service and failure. Such a
laser product may be referred to as an exempt laser product.
NOTE 2 The above exemption is to ensure that inherently safe
laser products are exempt from Clauses 6,7,8 and 9.
In addition to the adverse effects potentially resulting from
exposure to laser radiation, some laser equipment may also have
other associated hazards, such as electricity, chemicals and high
or low temperatures. Laser radiation may cause temporary visual
impairment, such as dazzle and glare. Such effects depend on the
task and ambient lighting level and are beyond the scope of this
Part 1. The classification and other requirements of this standard
are intended to address only the laser radiation hazards to the
eyes and skin. Other hazards are not included within its scope.
This Part 1 describes the minimum requirements. Compliance with
this Part 1 may not be sufficient to achieve the required level of
product safety. Laser products may also be required to conform to
the applicable performance and testing requirements of other
applicable product safety standards.
NOTE 3 Other standards may contain additional requirements. For
example, a Class 3B or Class 4 laser product may not be suitable
for use as a consumer product.
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 series), audio and video
equipment (IEC 60065), audio-video and IT equipment (IEC 62368- 1),
equipment for use in hazardous atmospheres (IEC 60079), or electric
toys (IEC 62115), this Part 1 will apply in accordance with the
provisions of IEC Guide 1042) for hazards resulting from
laser radiation.If no product safety standard is applicable, then
IEC 61010-1 may be applied.
For ophthalmic instruments, to ensure patient safety, ISO
15004-2 should be consulted and the principles of the limits
provided there should be applied for laser radiation (see also
Annex C and D).
In previous editions, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were included
in the scope of IEC 60825-1, and they may be still included in
other parts of the IEC 60825 series. However, with the development
of lamp safety standards, optical radiation safety of LEDs in
general can be more appropriately addressed by lamp safety
standards. The removal of LEDs from the scope of this Part 1 does
not preclude other standards from including LEDs whenever they
refer to lasers. IEC 62471 may be applied to determine the risk
group of an LED or product incorporating one or more LEDs. Some
other (vertical) standards may require the application of the
measurement, classification, engineering specifications and
labelling requirements of this standard (IEC 60825-1) to LED
products.
Laser products with accessible radiance below the criteria
specified in 4.4, designed to function as conventional light
sources, and which satisfy the requirements specified in 4.4 may
alternatively be evaluated under the IEC 62471 series of standards,
"Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems". Such a product
remains within the scope of this part of IEC 60825, except that the
above-described optical radiation emission need not be considered
for classification.
The MPE (maximum permissible exposure) values provided in Annex
A 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 potential hazard, or the exposure
limit values in IEC 62471 should be consulted.
The MPE values in Annex A are not applicable to intentional
human exposure to laser radiation for the purpose of medical or
cosmetic/aesthetic treatment.
NOTE 4 Informative Annexes A to G have been included for
purposes of general guidance and to illustrate many typical cases.
However, the annexes are not regarded as definitive or
exhaustive.
The objectives of this part of IEC 60825 are the following:
• to introduce a system of classification of lasers and laser
products emitting radiation in the wavelength range 180 nm to 1 mm
according to their degree of optical radiation hazard in order to
aid hazard evaluation and to aid the determination of user control
measures;
• to establish requirements for the manufacturer to supply
information so that proper precautions can be adopted;
• to ensure, through labels and instructions, adequate warning
to individuals of hazards associated with accessible radiation from
laser products;
• to reduce the possibility of injury by minimizing unnecessary
accessible radiation and to give improved control of the laser
radiation hazards through protective features.