Guidance for laser products: Classification and engineering requirements
On this page
Standard requirements
Sections 3 and 4 of the regulations require that a laser product sold, leased or imported into Canada must be designed, constructed and function in accordance with the applicable requirements of the IEC standard.
This means that the device must:
- be assigned a laser hazard classification as per clauses 4 and 5 of the IEC standard and
- meet the applicable built-in engineering safety feature requirements outlined in clause 6 of the IEC standard
The required test conditions shall consider a variety of reasonably foreseeable worst-case situations; for example, adding or adjusting collimating optics to a highly divergent source, or removing a diffusing lens without the use of a tool.
To determine the necessary engineering safety features, labelling and accompanying information, the product must be assessed during operation, maintenance, service and failure.
According to subclause 4.2 of the IEC standard, the manufacturer (also referred to as integrators) must classify a laser product correctly. If the modification of a previously classified laser product affects the original performance or intended function, the individual or organization performing such modification becomes a manufacturer. They are responsible for ensuring it:
- is reclassified correctly
- has appropriate engineering features
- bears redesigned labels (both IEC standard and product identification and origins) and
- is accompanied by revised user information
Additional clarification regarding classification rules in subclause 4.3 of the IEC standard is provided in Interpretation Sheet Number 1, which accompanies the IEC standard.
The regulations require that anyone who sells, leases or imports a laser product into Canada must ensure the product is classified appropriately. Classification could be verified by independent testing or through an accredited test body.
Conformance with requirements specified in other standards incorporated within the IEC standard is not mandatory.
Requirements for specific laser products referred to in Clause 9 of the IEC standard are not applicable.
People seeking to classify laser products may find information at the following links helpful:
Certain requirements for specific types of laser products
Laser products with low accessible emission levels
If the emission level does not exceed the accessible emission limit (AEL) of Class 1 under all conditions of operation, maintenance, service and failure (as taken from clause 1, paragraph 5 of the IEC standard), the laser product is inherently safe and exempt from the following requirements:
- clause 6 of the IEC standard (prescribed construction requirements) and
- sections 6 through 8 of the regulations (prescribed language, labelling and accompanying information requirements, including product identification and origins)
However, a Class 1 laser product with a higher-class laser that's incorporated, embedded or enclosed within it is subject to the requirements (no exemption).
For such a product, laser radiation levels above the Class 1 AEL may be accessible, if:
- access panel interlocks are overridden
- the product is opened or disassembled or
- a protective element (housing, scanning safeguard or walk-in safety feature) fails
Lasers that are designed to function as conventional lamps
For these laser systems, if the prescribed criteria as outlined in subclause 4.4 of the IEC standard are met, regulated parties may instead evaluate emissions under the IEC 62471 series of standards.
Clarification on how to determine the radiance level and compare it to the radiance limit is provided in Interpretation Sheet Number 2, which accompanies the IEC standard.
A regulated party that evaluates emissions under the IEC 62471 series of standards must ensure the laser product:
- is assigned a laser hazard classification according to the IEC standard for any laser radiation accessible during maintenance or service (wavelengths below 400 nm or above 1400 nm must be considered)
- complies with the IEC standard's engineering, labelling and user information requirements of that laser classification in English and French (including Class 1, if applicable)
- is assigned a lamp risk group under the IEC 62471 standard
- is affixed with a label stating the lamp risk group and applicable warnings (refer to section 6.5 of IEC 62471-5 for image projectors or IEC 62471) in English and French
- complies with the information requirements of that lamp risk group (refer to sections 6.6 and 6.7 of IEC 62471-5, if applicable) in English and French and
- complies with laser product identification and origins labelling requirements in either English or French