CE marking is a legal mandatory requirement, and EN 60825‑1 forms its core component. Class 4 classification does not equal non‑compliance.
CE marking is legally mandatory for laser marking machines exported to the European Union. Products without CE marking cannot circulate on the EU market. Within the CE compliance framework for laser marking machines, EN 60825‑1 serves as the fundamental safety standard for all laser products and constitutes a core testing item.Most industrial laser marking machines fall under Class 4 due to their high output power. Nevertheless, a Class 4 rating does not mean the product is non‑compliant. The key lies in implementing robust engineering protection design so that operators are always working within a safe environment.
01 CE Marking: Mandatory Requirement for Laser Marking Machines Entering the EU
CE marking is the compulsory safety certification for laser marking machines accessing the EU market. Under EU regulations, products without valid CE marking are prohibited from being sold within the EU. Non‑compliance may result in product recall, fines, or even legal proceedings.For laser marking machines, CE marking is not a single test but a comprehensive compliance system covering safety, health and environmental protection. It mainly involves the following key directives and standards:Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) & EN ISO 11553‑1: Address overall safety of laser‑processing machinery, assessing risks associated with moving mechanical parts, protective enclosures and interlock devices.
Low‑Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) & EN 60204‑1: Guarantee electrical safety regarding insulation, earthing and overload protection.
EMC Directive (2014/30/EU): Ensure equipment does not generate excessive electromagnetic interference while maintaining sufficient immunity against external disturbances.
Within this regulatory system, EN 60825‑1 is the baseline safety standard for all laser products and a core testing module.
02 What is EN 60825‑1?
EN 60825‑1, full title Safety of laser products — Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements, and user’s guide, is an EU harmonised standard derived from the international standard IEC 60825‑1.Its primary objective is to evaluate potential hazards posed by laser radiation to human eyes and skin. It classifies laser products into safety categories and specifies corresponding protection requirements for each classification.
03 Core Testing Content and Workflow
EN 60825‑1 assessment is a systematic safety evaluation consisting of the following phases:Phase 1: Documentation Preparation and ReviewManufacturers shall provide product specifications, circuit diagrams, optical layout drawings, laser source parameters and critical component lists. Based on submitted documents, engineers preliminarily identify risk levels and define applicable test schemes.Phase 2: Precision Laser Radiation Measurement (Core Step)Tests are carried out in an ISO 17025‑accredited laboratory. Calibrated high‑precision instruments including laser power meters, energy meters and beam analysers are deployed to measure laser power, energy, wavelength and beam divergence angle. These measured values form the basis for laser safety classification.Phase 3: Verification of Engineering ProtectionsProtective enclosure performance: Verify that housings can effectively block hazardous laser radiation.
Safety interlock validation: Confirm laser emission is reliably cut off once protective covers are opened.
Emergency‑stop functional check: Ensure laser output can be terminated rapidly under emergency conditions.
Design defects identified in this stage will trigger corrective actions.Phase 4: Safety Classification DeterminationMeasured data are compared against the Accessible Emission Limits (AEL) defined in the standard to assign the final laser safety class (Class 1‑4).Phase 5: Labelling and Documentation AuditReview user manuals to verify complete safety warnings, operating instructions and maintenance guidance.Against tightened EU enforcement in 2026, compliance must satisfy the following:Warning labels display laser symbol, safety class, wavelength and power information.
Safety warnings within user documentation are complete and accurate.
Phase 6: Test Report IssuanceUpon successful testing, an EN 60825‑1 test report will be issued. Manufacturers may use this report to draw up the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and affix the CE mark to products.
04 Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection and Testing (CTNT)
As a well‑established third‑party laboratory specialising in laser testing and certification, we deliver professional EN 60825‑1 testing services for laser marking machines:Proven expertise: Over ten years of hands‑on testing experience, with tens of thousands of completed projects across industrial, medical and scientific‑research sectors.
Authoritative accreditation: CNAS and CMA‑recognised laboratory; test results are recognised domestically and internationally.
Multi‑standard coverage: IEC 60825‑1 (international), EN 60825‑1 (EU), GB/T 7247.1‑2024 (China). One‑round testing supports market access for multiple regions.
