EN 60825 and EN 50689 standards for laser products

For robot vacuum cleaners exported to the EU, in addition to the certification that has been widely concerned in the past, it is necessary to note that the new EU laser product standard EN 60825-1:2014/A11:2021 will be mandatory on June 21, 2023. At that time, all laser product manufacturers and suppliers must comply with this new standard. The new standard adds a definition of "consumer laser products". Products belonging to this category, such as robot vacuum cleaners, laser TVs, and laser printers, must also meet the new standard EN 50689:2021 (Safety of laser products–Particular Requirements for Consumer Laser Products). This standard specifies the safety requirements that consumer laser products must meet to ensure the safety of users.

Definition of consumer laser products

For products or components that constitute or contain lasers or laser systems, the product or component is intended for use by consumers, or even if it is not intended for them, it may be used by consumers under reasonably foreseeable conditions. Typical products include vacuum cleaners, laser TVs, laser printers, etc.

1. The following 4 categories of products are not included:

Consumer laser products with a design wavelength range of 380nm to 780nm, laser radiation that may project onto the retina, and expected daily use duration of more than 1 hour (for example, products for virtual reality or augmented reality applications)

Products for professional use or laser products that will not be used by consumers

Electric toy products containing lasers (need to be evaluated in accordance with EN 62115)

Class 1C consumer laser products (for example, laser hair removal devices, laser freckle removal devices)

2. Basic requirements

On the basis of meeting EN 60825-1:2014/A11, the following additional requirements need to be considered:

Requirements for consumer laser products that are attractive to children

Requirements for general consumer laser products

Requirements for Class 3R consumer laser products

*Note: If it is defined as a consumer laser product that is attractive to children, additional test items may be added (for example, the amount of laser radiation that needs to be measured at any position cannot exceed the limit value in Table A.5, etc.)

3. Labeling requirements

On the basis of meeting EN 60825-1:2014/A11 requires the following additional labeling requirements:

EN 50689:2021 standard number

Consumer laser product identification

4. For Class 3R consumer laser products, the following additional requirements must be reflected in the user information:

State that users cannot intentionally irradiate others; if it is an outdoor product, instructions need to be provided to avoid irradiating others

Description of laser emission indicator

Technical specifications of control methods to ensure that the product does not accidentally emit lasers

Evaluate according to small light sources, C6=1

Provide the reasons for the necessary Class 3R design

Declaration of compliance with EN 50689:2021

Provide the date of compliance with EN 50689:2021 and manufacturer and/or supplier information

If you are a manufacturer or supplier of laser products, please be sure to comply with this new standard; if you are a user of laser products, please ensure that the products you purchase comply with this standard