1. Standard positioning and relationship
EN60825-1 is the basic general standard for laser product safety in the European Union, corresponding to the international standard IEC 60825-1.
Its core task is to classify the hazard levels of laser radiation (Class 1 to Class 4) and assess the potential harm to eyes and skin caused by products
under normal use, maintenance, and single fault conditions.
EN50689:2021 is a special requirements standard specifically for consumer laser products, which has been mandatory in the European Union since
September 27, 2024. It does not replace EN60825-1, but rather complements it - products must first pass the classification level of EN60825-1 before
undergoing the special review for consumer products under EN50689.
II. Level restrictions of laser flashlights
EN50689 imposes strict upper limits on the levels of consumer laser flashlights:
Mandatory upper limit: Consumer laser flashlights can only belong to Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3R. It is strictly prohibited to use high-risk lasers such
as Class 3B and Class 4.
Special provisions for attracting children: If the appearance, shape, color, or function of a flashlight may attract children, it must be classified as Class 1,
and the laser radiation level at any location must not exceed the maximum radiation values specified in Table A.5 of EN 60825-1:2014.
III. Core Content of EN60825-1 Testing
Precise measurement of laser radiation
Utilize high-precision equipment to measure the output power, energy, wavelength (within the range of 200nm–3000nm), beam divergence angle,
pulse duration, and repetition rate of the laser flashlight. These data serve as the foundation for determining the laser class, and must be evaluated
against the achievable emission limit (AEL) specified by the standards.
Safety engineering assessment
For the identified laser class, review the engineering control measures of the product: mechanical strength of the protective cover, interlocking device
for opening the cover, key-controlled switch, emergency stop function, and the effectiveness of the beam terminator or attenuator. Any design
oversight may lead to rectification.
Label and document review
In 2026, the EU regulatory authorities significantly increased the penalties for "mislabeling of laser class" and "incomplete warning language in instructions".
Warning labels must be permanent and clear, containing information such as the laser symbol, class, wavelength, and maximum output power; user manuals
must include detailed safety operation guidelines and comply with the official EU language requirements.
IV. Special Additional Requirements for EN50689
Misuse testing
Simulate potential improper operations by children or non-professionals to verify that the product will not accidentally emit hazardous laser under
abnormal conditions such as accidental touch or drop.
Review of protective mechanisms
Check whether there are physical switches, key devices, or locking mechanisms to prevent accidental touch by children; Class 3R products also need
to have a design to avoid accidental triggering and a laser emission indicator function.
Additional restrictions for Class 3R
If the flashlight is classified as Class 3R, it cannot take the form of a laser pointer; the manual must explain why Class 3R must be used instead of the
weaker Class 2 or Class 1; there is no need to directly view the beam functionally; the wavelength is limited to the range of 400 nm ≤ λ < 1250 nm;
the peak power of continuous or pulsed laser within 0.25 seconds does not exceed 0.5 W.
Special limit values for ultraviolet radiation
If the laser wavelength falls within the range of 180–315 nm, the maximum radiation value must not exceed 0.001 W/m², in order to protect users from
UV damage.
V. Testing Process
The testing follows a "dual-standard parallel" process: first, a laser level classification test according to EN60825-1 is conducted, followed by a special
inspection for consumer products according to EN50689, including misuse testing, review of protective mechanisms, and examination of labeling documents.
Upon passing the tests, a testing report is issued by a laboratory with ISO 17025 qualification. Based on this, the enterprise signs the Declaration of Conformity
(DoC) for the European Union and affixes the CE mark.
