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.