On March 27, 2022, CENELEC in Europe released the radiation safety standard for laser products, EN 50689:2021 "Safety of laser products - Particular Requirements for Consumer Laser Products". The new standard came into effect on September 27, 2022 and will be mandatory after September 27, 2024. In the earlier released EN 60825-1:2014 A11:2021, it was stipulated that after the release of EN 50689, consumer laser products must comply with this standard. 

Product definition in EN 50689:2021: 

Consumer laser products refer to those products that incorporate lasers and are intended for use by ordinary consumers (non-professionals), or even if not specifically designed for ordinary consumers, they may be used by them under reasonable and foreseeable circumstances. 

Not covered for the following 4 types of products: 

Excluding laser projection products with wavelengths ranging from 380 to 780 nm, which are intended for long-term use and directly projected onto the user's retina, such as VR and AR products; 

2. Excluding laser products that are only used by professionals and cannot be used by ordinary consumers (as long as they comply with the laser product standard EN 60825-1 is sufficient); 

3. Excluding toy products (which should comply with the electro-toy standard EN 62115); 

4. Excluding consumer laser products of class 1C (Class 1C products: The products come into close contact with the person being irradiated, and the leaked radiation does not exceed the class 1 level. Moreover, the laser only irradiates the surface of the human skin and does not reach the eyes. For example, laser beauty devices, laser hair removal devices). 

Additional requirements of EN 50689:2021: 

First, it must comply with EN 60825-1, and then it must also meet the following additional requirements: 

· Laser products that attract children (not toys, but their appearance, color, functions, etc. will attract children to play with and use them): 

· Laser classification must be Class 1; 

·The laser radiation level at any position shall not exceed the maximum radiation value specified in Table A.5 of EN 60825-1:2014; 

· If the laser wavelength is within the range of 180 - 315 nm (in the ultraviolet spectrum), the maximum radiation value shall not exceed 0.001 W/m²; 

·Comply with other relevant regulations; 

It must comply with the requirements regarding batteries stipulated in EN 62115 (the standard for electric toys). 

Other consumer laser products: 

· Laser classification can only be Class 1 or Class 2 or Class 3R; 

The laser at any position must not exceed class 3B. 

During the operator's maintenance process, the laser radiation does not exceed the claimed classification level of the laser. 

For the Class 3R products, there are additional requirements: 

It cannot be a laser pointer; 

· It is necessary to explain in the manual why class 3R laser is required and why a weaker class 2 or class 1 laser cannot be used; 

· There should be a design to avoid false triggering, and there should also be corresponding laser emission indications; 

·Functionally or during use, there is no need to directly look at the beam. 

· The laser wavelength is limited to the range of 400nm < λ < 1250nm. 

When conducting laser classification according to EN 60825-1, the value of C6 can only be 1. 

Within the wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm, the peak power of continuous or pulsed laser within 0.25 seconds does not exceed the achievable laser limit of class 3R, which is 0.5W. 

Within the wavelength range of 700nm to 1250nm, the peak power of continuous or pulsed laser within 100 seconds does not exceed the achievable laser limit of class 3R, which is 2 x 4 x 7 mW. 

EN 50689:2021 Additional Requirements for Marking: 

To comply with the marking requirements of EN 60825-1, and to meet the following additional requirements: 

The reference standard has been changed to EN 50689:2021 (it is allowed to simultaneously mark EN 50689:2021 and EN 60825-1:2014); 

·It must be clearly indicated as a consumer laser product.

EN 50689:2021 Additional Requirements for Instructions: 

In addition to meeting the requirements stipulated in EN 60825-1, for class 3R products, the following additional requirements are also necessary: 

2. It is necessary to state that the laser should not be directed at people intentionally; if it is an outdoor product, users should be reminded to avoid the laser from shining onto people. 

3. Description of the launch indicator; 

4. Explanation of what happens if the laser is triggered correctly; 

5. When performing laser classification, the value of C6 is set to 1; 

6. Explain why class 3R laser is necessary and cannot be replaced by weaker class 2 or class 1 lasers; 

7. The product complies with EN 50689; 

8. Provide the date, manufacturer or supplier information.