IEC 60825-1:1993/AMD2:2001

INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
60825-1
AMENDMENT 2
2001-01
PUBLICATION GROUPÉE DE SÉCURITÉ
GROUP SAFETY PUBLICATION
Amendment 2
Safety of laser products –
Part 1:
Equipment classification, requirements
and user's guide
Amendement 2
Sécurité des appareils à laser –
Partie 1:
Classification des matériels, prescriptions
et guide de l'utilisateur
 IEC 2001  Copyright - all rights reserved
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– 2 – 60825-1 Amend. 2 © IEC:2001(E)

FOREWORD
This amendment has been prepared by IEC technical committee 76: Optical radiation safety

and laser equipment.
The text of this amendment is based on the following documents:

FDIS Report on voting
76/220/FDIS 76/223/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this amendment can be found in the report
on voting indicated in the above table.
The committee has decided that the contents of the base publication and its amendments will
remain unchanged until 2003. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition; or
• amended.
A consolidated edition incorporating IEC 60825-1 (1993), amendment 1 (1997) and the
present amendment 2 (2001) is under preparation.
The contents of the corrigendum of June 2002 have been included in this copy.
––––––––––
Page 11
1 Scope and object
1.1 Scope
At the end of the third paragraph, add the following sentence:

See also annex G which describes information which should be provided by manufacturers of
LEDs.
Page 15
3 Definitions
Page 17
Replace, in definition 3.5, the reference in brackets by "3.7".

60825-1 Amend. 2 © IEC:2001(E) – 3 –

Add the following new definition:

3.6
angle of acceptance
plane angle within which a detector will respond to optical radiation, usually measured in

radians. This angle of acceptance may be controlled by apertures or optical elements in front

of the detector (see figure 16). The angle of acceptance is also sometimes referred to as the

field of view
Symbol: γ
NOTE Angle of acceptance for evaluating photochemical hazards. For evaluation of the photochemical hazard, a

limiting measurement angle of acceptance, γ , is specified. The angle γ is biologically related to eye movements
p p
and is not dependent upon the angular subtense of the source. If the angular subtense of the source is smaller
than the limiting angle of acceptance, the actual measurement angle of acceptance does not have to be limited. If
the angular subtense of the source is larger than the specified limiting angle of acceptance, the angle of
acceptance has to be limited and the source has to be scanned for hotspots. If the measurement angle of
acceptance is not limited to the specified level, the hazard may be over-estimated.
Symbol: γ
p
Replace the existing definition 3.6 as follows:
3.7
angular subtense (α)
angle subtended by an apparent source as viewed at a point in space. In this standard, for
classification, the angular subtense is determined at a point not less than 100 mm from the
apparent source (or at the exit window or lens of the product if the apparent source is located
at a distance greater than 100 mm within the window or lens). (See also 3.53 and 3.57.) For
an analysis of the maximum permissible exposure levels, the angular subtense shall be
determined at the viewing distance from the apparent source but not less than 100 mm. This
concept is also discussed in clause A.3 of annex A
NOTE 1 The angular subtense of an apparent source is applicable in this part 1 only in the wavelength range
from 400 nm to 1 400 nm, the retinal hazard region.
NOTE 2 The angular subtense of the source should not be confused with the divergence of the beam.
Renumber definitions 3.7 and 3.8 to read 3.8 and 3.9. Add the following new definition 3.10
and renumber the definitions 3.9 to 3.15 to read 3.11 to 3.17:
3.10
beam
laser radiation that may be characterized by direction, divergence, diameter or scan
specifications. Scattered radiation from a non-specular reflection is not considered to be a
beam
3.13
beam divergence
In the second sentence, change "distance L" into "distance r".
Change the formula to read
'
 
d − d
63 63
 
ϕ = 2 arctan
 
2 r
 
– 4 – 60825-1 Amend. 2 © IEC:2001(E)

Page 19
Replace definition 3.17 as follows:

3.17
Class 1 laser product
any laser product which does not permit human access to laser radiation in excess of the

accessible emission limits of Class 1 for applicable wavelengths and emission durations (see

8.2 and 8.4e))
Add the following new definition 3.18:

3.18
Class 1M laser product
any laser product in the wavelength range from 302,5 nm to 4 000 nm which does not permit
human access to laser radiation in excess of the accessible emission limits of Class 1 for
applicable wavelengths and emission durations (see 8.4e)), where the level of radiation is
measured according to 9.2g), however, evaluated with smaller measurement apertures or at a
greater distance from the apparent source than those used for Class 1 laser products. The
output of a Class 1M product is therefore potentially hazardous when viewed using an optical
instrument (see 8.2)
Replace definition 3.16 as follows:
3.19
Class 2 laser product
any laser product which does not permit human access to laser radiation in excess of the
accessible emission limits of Class 2 for applicable wavelengths and emission durations (see
8.2 and 8.4e))
Add the following new definition 3.20 and renumber the definitions 3.17 to 3.57 to read 3.21
to 3.61:
3.20
Class 2M laser product
any laser product in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 700 nm which does not permit
human access to laser radiation in excess of the accessible emission limits of Class 2 for
applicable wavelengths and emission durations (see 8.4e)), where the level of radiation is
measured according to 9.2h), however, evaluated with smaller measurement apertures or at a
greater distance from the apparent source than those used for Class 2 laser products. The

output of a Class 2M product is therefore potentially hazardous when viewed using an optical
instrument
In definitions 3.21 and 3.22 change "(see 9.2)" to "(see 8.2)".
Replace the title of definition 3.21 "Class 3A and Class 3B laser products" by "Class 3R and
Class 3B laser products".
In the text of definition 3.21, change "3A" to "3R".
Add the following note at the end of definition 3.29:
NOTE The laser which is incorporated in the embedded laser product is called the embedded laser.

60825-1 Amend. 2 © IEC:2001(E) – 5 –

Add to definitions 3.30 and, on page 21, 3.32 the following second sentence:

For a train of pulses, this is the duration between the first half-peak power point of the leading
pulse and the last half-peak power point of the trailing pulse

Add the following text at the end of definition 3.33:

Two extended source conditions are considered in this standard when considering retinal

thermal injury hazards: intermediate source and large source, which are used to distinguish

sources with angular subtenses, α, between α and α (intermediate sources), and greater
min max
than α (large sources). (See also 3.79.)
max
Replace, in definition 3.36a), third line, "Class 2, 3A or 3B of not more than 5 times the AEL of
Class 2 in the wavelength region from 400 nm to 700 nm" by "Class 2, 2M or 3R".
Replace definition 3.38 as follows:
3.38
intrabeam viewing
all viewing conditions whereby the eye is exposed to the direct or specularly reflected laser
beam in contrast to viewing of, for example, diffuse reflections
Page 25
Add the following new definition 3.62 after definition 3.61 and renumber definitions 3.58 to
3.73 to read 3.63 to 3.78:
3.62
photochemical hazard limit
either an MPE or AEL which was derived to protect persons against adverse photochemical
effects (for example, photoretinitis – a photochemical retinal injury from exposure to radiation
in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 600 nm)
Delete, in definition 3.69, at the end of the second line:
–2
(usually expressed in J·m )
Add the following new definition 3.79 after definition 3.78 and renumber definitions 3.74 to
read 3.80, and 3.75 to read 3.81:

3.79
small source
source with an angular subtense α less than, or equal to, the minimum angular subtense α
min
Add the following new definitions 3.82 and 3.83 after definition 3.81:
3.82
thermal hazard limit
either an MPE or AEL which was derived to protect persons against adverse thermal effects,
as opposed to photochemical injury
3.83
time base
emission duration to be considered for classification (see 8.4 e))

– 6 – 60825-1 Amend. 2 © IEC:2001(E)

Renumber definitions 3.76 to 3.80 to read 3.84 to 3.88

Page 33
4.3 Access panels and safety interlocks

Replace, in 4.3.1b) "the removal of the panel . Class 2" by "the removal of the panel gives

access to laser radiation levels designated by "X" in the table below."

Replace the table and the third paragraph by the following:

Accessible emission during or after removal of access panel
Product class
1, 1M 2, 2M 3R 3B 4
1, 1M – – X X X
2, 2M – – X X X
3R ––– X X
3B ––– X X
4 ––– X X
Removal of the panel shall not result in emission through the opening in excess of Class 1M
or Class 2M as applicable according to the wavelength.
Page 35
4.4 Remote interlock connector
Replace the text of this subclause as follows:
Each Class 3B and Class 4 laser system shall have a remote interlock connector. When the
terminals of the connector are open-circuited, the accessible radiation shall not exceed
Class 1M or Class 2M as applicable.
4.5 Key control
Replace the first sentence as follows:
Each Class 3B and Class 4 laser system shall incorporate a key-operated master control.
4.6 Laser radiation emission warning

Subclause 4.6.1
Replace the first sentence by the following new first sentence:
Each Class 3R laser system in the wavelength range below 400 nm and above 700 nm and
each Class 3B and Class 4 laser system shall give an audible or visible warning when it is
switched on or if capacitor banks of a pulsed laser are being charged or have not positively
discharged.
Replace, at the end of the last sentence, "in excess of the AEL for Class 1 and Class 2" by "in
excess of the AEL for Class 1M and 2M".

60825-1 Amend. 2 © IEC:2001(E) – 7 –

4.7 Beam stop or attenuator
Replace the existing text by the following new text:

Each Class 3B and Class 4 laser system shall incorporate one or more permanently attached

means of attenuation (beam stop or attenuator, other than a laser energy source switch,

mains connector or key control). The beam stop or attenuator shall be capable of preventing

human access to laser radiation in excess of Class 1M or Class 2M as applicable.

Page 37
4.8 Controls
Replace, at the end of the sentence, "do not require exposure to laser radiation in excess of
the AEL for Class 1 and Class 2" by "do not require exposure to laser radiation of Class 3R,
3B or Class 4".
4.9 Viewing optics
Replace, "in excess of the AEL for Class 1" by "in excess of the AEL for Class 1M" (three
times).
4.12 "Walk-in" access
Replace the existing texts in a) and b) by the following:
a) means shall be provided so that any person inside the housing can prevent activation of a
Class 3B or Class 4 laser hazard.
b) a warning device shall be situated so as to provide adequate warning of emission of
Class 3R laser radiation in the wavelength range below 400 nm and above 700 nm, or of
Class 3B or Class 4 laser radiation to any person who might be within the housing.
Page 39
5.2 Class 1
Replace the existing text by the following:
Except as permitted in 1.1, each Class 1 laser product shall have affixed an explanatory label
(figure 15) bearing the words:
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
Each Class 1M laser product shall have affixed an explanatory label (figure 15) bearing the
words:
LASER RADIATION
DO NOT VIEW DIRECTLY WITH OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
CLASS 1M LASER PRODUCT
The type of optical instrument which could result in an increased hazard may be added in
parenthesis after the word "instruments". The added wording could in particular be
"(BINOCULARS OR TELESCOPES)" for a laser product with a collimated, large-diameter
beam, which is classified 1M because it fails condition 1 of table 10, or "(MAGNIFIERS)" for a
laser product which is classified 1M because it fails condition 2 of table 10 (highly diverging
beam).
Instead of the above labels, at the discretion of the manufacturer, the same statements may
be included in the information for the user.

– 8 – 60825-1 Amend. 2 © IEC:2001(E)

Page 41
5.3 Class 2
Add the following text:
Each Class 2M laser product shall have affixed a warning label (figure 14) and an explanatory

label (figure 15) bearing the words:

LASER RADIATION
DO NOT STARE INTO THE BEAM OR VIEW
DIRECTLY WITH OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS

CLASS 2M LASER PRODUCT
The type of optical instrument which could result in an increased hazard may be added in
parenthesis after the word "instruments". The added wording could in particular be
"(BINOCULARS OR TELESCOPES)" for a laser product with a collimated, large-diameter
beam which is classified 2M because it fails condition 1 of table 10, or "(MAGNIFIERS)" for a
laser product which is classified 2M because it fails condition 2 of table 10 (highly diverging
beam).
5.4 Class 3A
Replace the title and text by the following:
5.4 Class 3R
Each Class 3R laser product in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 1 400 nm shall have
affixed a warning label (figure 14) and an explanatory label (figure 15) bearing the words:
LASER RADIATION
AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE
CLASS 3R LASER PRODUCT
For other wavelengths, each Class 3R laser product shall have affixed a warning label
(figure 14) and an explanatory label (figure 15) bearing the words:
LASER RADIATION
AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM
CLASS 3R LASER PRODUCT
5.7 Aperture label
Replace "Each Class 3B and Class 4…" by "Each Class 3R, Class 3B and Class 4…"

Page 43
5.8 Radiation output and standards information
Replace the existing text by the following:
Each laser product, except those of Class 1, shall be de
...