Introduction: When Lidar Becomes the “Eye of Physical AI”
In 2026, the lidar industry is undergoing a profound transformation from a “performance race” to “safety and compliance”. With the large‑scale rollout of L3+ autonomous driving and the explosive growth of robots, smart transportation, and other pervasive scenarios, lidar is no longer just the “eyes” of vehicles but has become the “eye of physical AI” connecting the physical world with digital space. Against this backdrop, eye safety has evolved from a design consideration into a rigid market access requirement, and GB/T 7247.1 is the core benchmark for this requirement in the domestic market.
I. The Application Wave of Lidar and Safety Challenges
From on‑board main sensors and drone mapping to industrial robot obstacle avoidance, the application scenarios of lidar are expanding rapidly. In the first five months of 2026 alone, lidar shipments from leading companies grew by 349% year‑on‑year, and the industry is entering a dual cycle of profitability realisation and valuation reshaping. However, technological breakthroughs are accompanied by tighter regulation – as devices that actively emit laser radiation, lidar’s radiation safety is directly related to public health. In China, on‑board lidar has been officially incorporated into the national mandatory standard system for intelligent connected vehicle combined driver assistance systems, making compliance the first hard threshold for mass production and market entry.
II. Core Certification for Domestic Market Access: What is GB/T 7247.1?
GB/T 7247.1‑2024 (Safety of laser products – Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements) is the fundamental national standard for laser product safety in China. It came into effect on 1 April 2025 and is technically equivalent to the international standard IEC 60825‑1:2014. Based on the potential hazards of laser radiation to the human eye and skin, the standard establishes a seven‑class classification system from Class 1 (intrinsically safe) to Class 4 (high risk).
For lidar, the core of this certification is the assessment of the laser radiation eye safety class. The testing must not only verify the laser source parameters (wavelength, power, pulse characteristics) but also evaluate the overall machine structure, enclosure protection, interlock mechanisms, labels, and user manual compliance. The target class for the vast majority of on‑board lidar (typically with wavelengths of 905 nm or 1550 nm) is Class 1 – safe under all reasonably foreseeable operating conditions, including when viewed with optical instruments.
III. Certification Process, Timeline, and Cost Analysis
The standard certification process generally follows a four‑step approach: consultation and pre‑assessment → sample submission → laboratory testing → report issuance.
Consultation and plan development: Submit product technical specifications, laser parameter sheets, structural drawings, and user manuals.
Sample testing: Using high‑precision equipment, measure radiation characteristics including the Accessible Emission Limit (AEL), beam divergence angle, pulse width, etc.
Class determination and report issuance: Based on the measured data, determine the safety class and issue an official report bearing CMA/CNAS marks.
Timeline: The standard testing cycle for a typical lidar is approximately 7 working days, with expedited services available to shorten it to 3‑5 working days. If additional environmental adaptability verification (e.g., on‑board high‑low temperature and vibration testing) is required, the timeline may be slightly extended.
Costs: Testing costs vary depending on product complexity, typically covering radiation safety assessment, optical performance testing, structural inspection, and report compilation. Lidar involves complex assessments such as pulse repetition frequency and scanning modes, so costs are generally higher than for standard static laser products. A specific quotation should be determined based on the product‘s technical evaluation.
IV. Professional Service Support: Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection
Faced with increasingly stringent compliance requirements, choosing a professional testing body is crucial. Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection Technology Co., Ltd. (CTNT) has significant advantages in this field as a professional laser product testing and certification organisation:
Authoritative accreditations: Holds dual CMA and CNAS accreditations, a nationally accredited third‑party testing body.
Advanced hardware: Operates a state‑of‑the‑art laser laboratory equipped with fully imported high‑precision instruments (laser power meters, spectrometers, etc.), covering a power measurement range from pW to 5 kW and pulse measurement down to the picosecond level, ensuring accurate and reliable test results.
Rich experience: With over ten years of experience in optoelectronic product testing and certification, the engineering team has served more than 5,000 laser enterprises and accumulated extensive practical experience in lidar, consumer lasers, and other products.
One‑stop service: Provides complete compliance solutions from GB/T 7247.1 testing and laser safety class certification to international certifications (FDA, CE), helping products achieve rapid market launch and global expansion.
In an era where lidar is moving towards ubiquitous perception, GB/T 7247.1 eye safety certification is not only a regulatory requirement but also a dual reflection of corporate social responsibility and technological capability. By leveraging the technical support of professional organisations and embedding safety into product DNA, companies can navigate the fierce market competition steadily and sustainably.
