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ANSI & EN

What Are the Differences Between These Two Standards for Laser Safety

    In laser safety, there are two main sets of standards: the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and European Norms (EN). Let's break down their key differences and how they are applied:

  1. Application Regions:
    • ANSI: Used primarily in the United States, North America, and many places outside the EU.
    • EN (CE): Used in European Union countries and wherever EU regulations are adopted. 
  2. Creation of Standards:
    • ANSI: Created by volunteers from various organizations and fields, such as government agencies (e.g., FAA), military branches, laboratories (e.g., Los Alamos National Laboratory), and organizations like the American Dental Association. The Laser Institute of America (LIA) manages and publishes the ANSI Z136 series on laser safety standards.
    • EN (CE): Formed similarly but with a key difference: once these norms are adopted, they become law. An independent verifier must certify that the protection level is met. 
  3. Major Differences:
    • Certification Process:
      • ANSI: Does not require mandatory certification; it focuses on consensus and guidelines.
      • EN (CE): Requires rigorous testing and certification for both the frame and lens of laser safety goggles. This conservative approach is thorough but expensive.
    • Specific Standards:
      • EN208: Addresses laser safety eyewear specifically for laser alignment tasks.
      • ANSI: Introduces the concept of a Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ), which is not mentioned in European Norms. NHZ involves assessing the area where laser exposure could be hazardous, implying that worst-case scenarios are considered in EN standards.
         

      In summary, ANSI and CE standards differ mainly in their regional application, creation process, and certification requirements. ANSI relies on voluntary consensus and is more flexible, while CE standards are legally binding in the EU and require independent verification, focusing on thorough testing and certification.

Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment (the PPE regulation) covers the design, manufacture and marketing of personal protective equipment. It defines legal obligations to ensure that PPE on the EU internal market provides the highest level of protection against risks. The CE marking affixed to PPE provides evidence of compliance of the product with the applicable EU legislation.

As legislation based on the 'new approach' aligned to the new legislative framework policy, manufacturers or their authorised representative in the EU must comply with the essential health and safety requirements of the PPE regulation, directly or by using harmonised European standards. The latter confer presumption of conformity to legal requirements. Further explanations on the different elements of the new legislative framework can be found on the ‘Blue Guide on the implementation of the product rules’.

Download: EU legislation and PPE

The PPE regulation guidelines (3rd edition - October 2023) (6 MB) aim to facilitate a common understanding and implementation of the PPE regulation.

Key European Norms (EN 207/EN 208)

  • EN 207: For general laser safety eyewear, requiring filters and frames to withstand direct laser hits (e.g., 5 seconds for continuous wave, 50 pulses for pulsed) without failure, ensuring protection below Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) levels.
  • EN 208: For eyewear used by laser adjustment personnel, protecting against lower-power stray beams during alignment.
  • CE Marking: Mandatory for products sold in Europe, indicating compliance.
  • Labeling: Includes wavelength range, protection level (e.g., LB5), and mode (e.g., D for continuous, I/R for pulsed). 

European EN 207/EN 208 (now largely replaced by ISO 19818) 

ISO 19818 is a global safety standard titled "Eye and face protection — Protection against laser radiation".

Published in 2021, it was developed to unify international laser safety requirements, effectively replacing older standards like ISO 6161 and modernizing the approach used by regional standards like EN 207 (Europe) and ANSI Z136.7 (USA).

The standard is divided into two primary parts: 

1. ISO 19818-1: Requirements and Test Methods

This core document specifies the performance, construction, and marking requirements for personal laser protectors. 

  • Wavelength Range: Covers protection against laser radiation from 180 nm to 1 mm.
  • Application: Applies to eyewear, face shields, and patient protection during medical procedures (excluding periorbital treatments).
  • Exclusions: Does not cover laser filters used as viewing windows in machinery or optical instruments like microscopes intended for deliberate viewing.
  • Key Metrics: It uses Optical Density (OD) to measure attenuation and introduces Resistance Categories (RC) to define a protector's ability to withstand specific laser irradiances without failing. 

2. ISO/TS 19818-2: Selection and Use

This part provides guidance for selecting the correct protection based on the requirements of Part 1. 

  • Intended Users: Designed for Laser Safety Officers (LSOs), advisors, and managers responsible for workplace safety.
  • Content: Includes procedures to determine the appropriate protector for specific laser applications and multi-laser environments. 

New Marking Standards

Under ISO 19818-1, laser protectors feature simplified but detailed markings compared to previous systems: 

  • Laser Modes: Now identified as C (continuous), P (pulsed), S (short pulsed), and U (ultra-short pulsed).
  • Direct Specifications: Products are marked with the specific wavelength ranges and the corresponding Optical Density (OD) provided. 

For detailed compliance information, you can view the ISO 19818-1:2021 abstract or consult the BSI Knowledge portal for regional implementation.