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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-08-01 Origin: Site
Lasers are used in all aspects of our lives, especially consumer laser products, which are subject to strict regulations. For example, Amazon, an international platform, regulates the safety of laser products such as consumer laser engravers, laser pens, and skincare devices. This requires FDA certification or locally recognized laser certification for your product. Before
doing so, you should have a clear understanding of laser levels. Laser Module from 375nm to 980nm
IEC 60825-1 is an internationally recognized standard for laser products and serves as a common safety standard for IEC member countries.
21 CFR 1040.10 is a standard recognized in the US market, developed and regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and its Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH).
GB 7247.1 is a Chinese standard based on the internationally recognized IEC 60825-1, with minor adjustments to better suit domestic use.
EN 50689:2021 is the European laser safety standard, which will be mandatory in 2024.
JIS C6802 is the Japanese laser safety standard.
Laser safety level standards are used to assess the risk of laser products to the human eye and skin. The main purpose of these standards is to ensure the safety of people using laser products.
Laser product safety levels are generally similar, and they are divided into four categories:
Class 1 Laser: This is a safe laser that will not cause harm to the human eye or skin in direct contact and is not considered a hazardous substance.
Class 2 Laser: This is a low-power laser that will not cause damage to the skin or eyes within a natural blink (0.25 seconds).
Class 3 Laser: This is a medium-power laser, similar to Class 2 Laser, but cannot be observed with photochemical instruments.
Class 4 Laser: This is a high-power laser that can cause harm to the human body or ignite objects, and is highly hazardous.
Laser Safety Level | Internationality IEC60825-1 Ch G8 7247.1 | USA FDA / CDRH （21CFR1040.10） |
class1 | Optical power <0.5mw, any laser, or laser system containing a laser, will not emit laser light that may cause eye or skin damage during normal use. (Does not apply to higher grade lasers which may be contained when housing is removed during use). | |
class 1M | A laser that does not cause damage to the eyes or skin unless viewed with optics. | Not defined |
class 2a | Not defined | A visible laser that is not intended for direct viewing and does not cause any damage to the eyes or skin during operation, based on a maximum exposure time of 1000 seconds. |
class2 | The optical power is <1mw and cannot emit visible laser light that may cause skin or eye injury within the time period of the human eye's aversion reaction (0.25 seconds). | |
class 2M | Unless viewed with optics (telescope), laser safety class 2M will not cause eye or skin damage within the time period of the human eye's aversion reaction (0.25 seconds). | Not defined |
class 3a | Not defined | Optical power 1mw to 5mw, the same as Class2, but with the added condition that the beam cannot be directly observed using optical devices (and only for visible light). |
class 3R | Laser safety level 3R can not exceed 5 times the limit of class 2 (visible light), and can exceed 5 times the limit of class 1 (invisible light). | Not defined |
class 3b | Optical power 5mw to 500mw, medium power laser (visible or invisible light), contact under direct irradiation beam or mirror (such as mirror) reflection conditions will cause potential harm to the eyes. Except for high-power Class 3b lasers operating in certain special wavelength regions, Class 3b lasers do not cause significant skin hazards under diffuse reflection (scattering). | |
class4 | Optical power above 500mw, high-power laser (visible to invisible light), contact under direct irradiation or scattering (diffuse reflection) conditions are potentially highly harmful to the eyes and skin. At the same time, fire hazards of processing targets or contact materials must also be considered. (ignition) hazards and attendant potential hazards from radiation penetration. | |
Safety precautions for laser use are also categorized by level. Common safety precautions include the following:
Appoint personnel familiar with laser equipment to manage the equipment.
Post warning signs and labels in the management area and on the equipment.
Install a light shield for the laser equipment.
Wear laser protective clothing, gloves, glasses, and a face shield.
