I. Background and Core Requirements of the EN 50689 Standard
EN 50689:2021 – “Safety of laser products – Particular requirements for consumer laser products” – is a dedicated safety standard for consumer laser products developed by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC). It was published on 27 March 2022, began to be adopted from 27 September 2022, and became mandatory after 27 September 2024.
What is a consumer laser product? The standard defines it as “a product that constitutes or contains a laser and is intended for use by ordinary consumers (non‑professionals), or that, even if not intended for consumers, may under reasonably foreseeable conditions be used by ordinary consumers.” Common consumer laser products include: laser pointers, laser rangefinders, laser levels, laser flashlights, home‑use laser hair removal devices, etc.
Relationship between EN 50689 and EN 60825‑1: Two standards in parallel – both are essential. EN 50689 is a supplementary standard to EN 60825‑1 and cannot be used alone. Products must first meet the laser classification requirements of the general safety standard EN 60825‑1, and then pass the specific consumer product review of EN 50689. The relationship can be summarised as: EN 60825‑1 ensures “the laser itself is safe”, while EN 50689 ensures “the product as a whole is safe”.
Class restrictions imposed by EN 50689 on consumer laser products:
Child‑attractive laser products (not toys, but may attract children due to appearance or function): Laser class must be Class 1.
Other consumer laser products: Laser class can only be Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3R; Class 3B and Class 4 high‑risk lasers are prohibited.
Additional restrictions for Class 3R products: Must not be a laser pointer; the user manual must explain why Class 3R is necessary; must be equipped with anti‑accidental‑activation design and laser emission indication; wavelength limited to 400‑1250 nm.
Exclusions: The standard does not cover retinal projection products such as VR/AR, laser products for professional use only, laser toys (covered by EN 62115), or Class 1C consumer laser products (e.g., laser beauty devices).
II. Test Report Application Process
A formal EN 50689 test follows a rigorous “two‑standard‑in‑parallel” process, typically carried out by a qualified third‑party body:
Step 1: Project initiation and documentation pre‑review – The manufacturer submits product specifications, circuit diagrams, laser wavelength and power parameters, etc. The testing body assesses whether the product falls within the mandatory scope and determines the test plan.
Step 2: EN 60825‑1 basic testing – Using laser power meters, spectrometers, and other equipment, accurately measure the actual output power, wavelength, beam divergence angle, and other parameters to determine the laser safety classification.
Step 3: EN 50689 specific checks – Includes misuse testing (simulating improper operation by children or non‑professionals), protection mechanism review (checking physical switches or locking devices to prevent accidental activation), and assessment of child‑attractive provisions.
Step 4: Label and user manual review – Verify that warning labels are permanent and clear, and that the product bears the markings “Consumer laser product” and “EN 50689:2021”; check that the user manual includes multilingual safety warnings.
Step 5: Report issuance – After passing the tests, an ISO 17025‑accredited laboratory issues the test report. The manufacturer then signs the CE Declaration of Conformity (DoC), completing EU market access.
III. Testing Timeline Reference
The testing timeline depends on product complexity and whether corrective actions are required:
Standard products (e.g., laser pointers, laser rangefinders): Typically 7‑10 working days
Complex products (e.g., robots with radar navigation, high‑power focusable products): May take 2‑3 weeks
Expedited services: Some laboratories offer expedited channels that can shorten the timeline to 5 working days
It is recommended to incorporate compliance assessment at the product design stage, allowing time for corrective actions to avoid market launch delays caused by test failures.
IV. Testing Cost Overview
EN 50689 testing costs are not fixed and are mainly influenced by the following factors:
Product category and complexity – A simple laser pointer and a multi‑function laser product have different numbers of test items.
Laser class – Class 1 products are relatively simpler to test, while Class 3R products must meet additional requirements.
Whether corrective actions are required – If the initial test fails, re‑testing after corrections will incur additional costs.
It is recommended that manufacturers communicate fully with the testing body before submission, clarify product characteristics, and obtain a customised quotation. For specific costs, consult a professional testing body such as Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection.
V. Recommended Testing Body
Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection Technology Co., Ltd. (CTNT) is a professional laser product testing and certification body in South China, with the following core advantages in the laser testing field:
Authoritative accreditations: Holds dual CNAS (ILAC L15898) and CMA accreditations, with authorisation for international and domestic laser standards including IEC/EN/BS/AS 60825, GB 7247.1, and FDA 21 CFR 1040.10.
Professional capabilities: More than 70 laser‑related authorised standards, over 120 testing capability parameters; power measurement range from pW to 5 kW, pulse measurement down to ps level; dedicated consumer laser laboratory.
Extensive experience: Ten years of laser product testing experience, having served over 5,000 laser companies and issued more than 5,000 test reports.
One‑stop services: For consumer laser products, provides EN 60825‑1 and EN 50689 dual‑standard parallel testing, technical documentation preparation, CE certification support, and full‑process services.
VI. Important Considerations
The EN 50689 report must be obtained together with the EN 60825‑1 report – both standards are essential. Since 27 September 2024, consumer laser products that have passed only EN 60825‑1 can no longer enter the EU market.
Confirm whether the product falls within the mandatory scope. Laser toys should follow EN 62115, professional equipment requires only EN 60825‑1, and Class 1C products (e.g., laser beauty devices) are not covered by EN 50689.
Labels and markings must be compliant. Products must bear the markings “Consumer laser product” and “EN 50689:2021”, and warning labels must be permanent and clear.
Prepare complete technical documentation in advance. This includes product specifications, circuit diagrams, optical structure diagrams, laser wavelength and power parameters, etc., which can significantly shorten the testing timeline.
