We provide comprehensive, accredited compliance testing services in our state-of-the-art laboratory, supporting manufacturers from development to final certification. During the product development phase, we offer expert consultingand training to help manufacturers to correctly interpret and apply complex standards and analysis methods, as well as to perform compliance assessments by calculation.
Our senior consultant Dr. Karl Schulmeister was the project leader for the 3rd edition of IEC 60825-1. Many of the updated exposure limits for extended and pulsed sources are based directly on research results from our team. This internationally unique combination of standardisation expertise, scientific research, and many years of testing experience with optimised measurement methods enables us to provide highly precise measurements and reliable evaluations.
For extended apparent sources, IEC 60825-1 requires variation of both the eye’s accommodation (realised with our artificial eye setup with a CCD camera) and the distance to the product, in order to determine the most restrictive position (White Paper). The captured images are then evaluated by a computer-based image analysis to identify the most restrictive portion of the image and its angular subtense, alpha. The criterion for classification is to identify the maximum ratio of accessible emission (AE) over accessible emission limit (AEL). The Interpretation Sheet ISH1 clarifies several issues related to extended sources and pulsed emissions. It was developed largely based on contributions from our team, with Dr. Karl Schulmeister serving as project leader. ISH1 is freely available for download, for instance from the IEC website.
Besides the requirement that the accessible emission for the nominal operation has to be below the respective class limit, it is also necessary to consider reasonably foreseeable single faults. If it cannot be shown that the emission remains below the class AEL, a risk analysis has to be performed (ILSC Paper). Our test house is uniquely positioned to offer risk analyses based on injury thresholds. The injury thresholds are either taken from publications, or they are calculated with our validated computer models for the retina, cornea and skin. This can be the basis to characterise a fault as not reasonably foreseeable even though the emission exceeds the AEL of the given class.
For laser sources that function as conventional lamps or luminaires, subclause 4.4 of IEC 60825-1 specifies a list of requirements. If the product complies with these requirements, the emission can be classified under the „photobiological safety“ standard for lamps and lamp systems series IEC 62471. The product remains in the scope of IEC 60825-1, but is classified as laser Class 1. Typical products for which this applies are laser image projectors, laser car headlamps and laser stage luminaires. Subclause 4.4 is discussed in more detail in an ILSC paper.
Our test house is recognised as CB Testing Laboratory (CBTL) in the IECEE scheme (CB scheme) so that we can offer certified test reports.
In the USA, the CDRH, as a department of the FDA, has issued Laser Notice 56, accepting classification and labelling based on IEC 60825-1. The classification system and accessible emission limits (AEL) that can be found in CFR 1040.10 are still valid and may be used, but can be considered as outdated. Therefore we usually test products according to IEC 60825-1, also for the US market.
In special cases, mostly for military applications, classification of laser products can be performed based on the US Standard ANSI Z136.1.
In Europe, EN 60825-1:2014 as published in 2014 is identical to IEC 60825-1:2014. However, an amendment A11 was published in 2021. Thus, the European version EN 60825-1:2014 + A11:2021 has some deviations compared to IEC 60825-1:2014, particularly in the wavelength range of 1250 nm to 1400 nm where there is an additional limit to protect the cornea (for details see our White Paper). Together with the corrigendum AC:2022 issued for amendment A11, some national consolidated versions are published with the publication date of 2022.
In 2021, a new standard for consumer laser products, EN 50689 “Safety of laser products – Particular requirements for consumer laser products” was published in Europe. EN 50689 regulates which classes are accepted for consumer lasers to be placed on the European market (see also White Paper on EN 50689). The standard EN 50689 is harmonised under both the Low Voltage Directive and the General Product Safety Directive.
We test LEDs, lamps, lamp systems and luminaires in accordance with IEC 62471 and related standards, and assign them to risk groups. The risk groups provide basic information on the maximum permitted exposure duration, at the given reference distance, before biological exposure limits are exceeded. A sufficiently low risk group classification demonstrates that the product is safe with regards to potential injury to the eye and the skin. However, due to aversion responses, also Risk Group 2 (RG2) classification can in many cases be considered as sufficiently safe. Accurate determination of the risk group requires precise measurement of spectral irradiance or spectral radiance, with consideration of specific averaging angle of acceptances.
The measurement of the biologically effective radiance using imaging methods requires considerable metrological expertise, particularly regarding the correct implementation of defined averaging acceptance angles, such as 11 mrad, and as defined by a field stop. Sources and images that are smaller than the averaging angle of acceptance are associated to an averaged radiance that is much smaller than the physical radiance. We have developed our own dedicated imaging setup and evaluation procedures to provide highly accurate measurements while optimising efficiency for our clients.
For the IEC 62471 series, our test house is recognised as CB Testing Laboratory (CBTL) in the IECEE scheme (CB-scheme).
Interlaboratory comparisons (round robin tests) have shown that some commercially available “photobiology spectroradiometers,” marketed for IEC 62471 testing (and used by many test houses), exhibit significant limitations when measuring sources smaller than 11 mrad. Due to non-uniform responsivity within the acceptance angle (i.e. within the averaging field of view to determine radiance), measurement errors of up to a factor of three may occur (ILSC paper). Even greater errors can result from applying the “alternative radiance technique” in case the source is not accessible, such as when a lens is part of the product. Our test house has always used radiance measurement setups with discrete components and constant responsivity across the angle of acceptance, achieved with an integrating sphere.
Part 5: Image projectors
For image projectors, IEC 62471-5:2015 specifies emission limits for risk groups and defines measurement requirements. The emission limits for the retinal thermal hazard are based on the ICNIRP update of 2013, where our research projects provided input, particularly for pulsed emission. High power cinema projectors are assigned to Risk Group 3 (RG3) and it is necessary to determine the hazard distance within which the exposure limit is exceeded.
IEC 62368-1 for AV and IT equipment requires compliance with IEC 62471:2006 or IEC 62471-5:2015, respectively.
Part 7: Light sources and luminaires primarily emitting visible radiation
IEC 62471-7:2023 is a more recent standard for the photobiological safety of light sources and luminaires used for lighting or signalling applications. In this context, the broader term electric light source is used, with lamps representing a subgroup. IEC 62471-7 does not define risk groups; compliance is based on blue-light hazard application groups.
For characterising the blue-light hazard, IEC 62471-7:2023 is going to replace the technical report IEC TR 62778 which was withdrawn, but is still referenced as an optional assessment in the luminaire safety standard IEC 60598-1:2024.
We also operate an accredited calibration laboratory for the calibration of spectroradiometers. This service is particularly relevant for the calibration of photodiode arrays, for which the manufacturer cannot provide accredited calibration.
Information on our calibration service for solar simulators.
Examples of ophthalmic instruments within the scope of these standards include slit lamps, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopes, fundus cameras, OCT and SLO. There are product-specific standards for endoilluminators (ISO 15752), slit lamps (ISO 10939), direct ophthalmoscopes (ISO 10942), indirect ophthalmoscopes (ISO 10943) and OCT (ISO 16971-1). These standards require compliance with ISO 15004-2 with regard to protection against light hazards and may require additional tests, for which we are also accredited.
We also have the following standards for medical electrical equipment in our accreditation scope, where we are accredited for those paragraphs and subclauses that relate to light hazards:
We offer accredited calibration services for solar simulators used in SPF, UVA and UV testing for the following standards:
Additionally to the calibration of solar simulators we determine calibration factors for customer radiometers.
Laser, LED & Lamp Safety
T: +43 50550-2882 F: +43 50550-3033
E: laser-led-lampen-sicherheit(at)s-l.at
