Stricter rules for laser pointers

New EU standard for laser pointers Source: Matteo Giotto/Stock.adobe.com

Laser pointers emit strong optical radiation. When misused, ballpoint pen-sized pointers can cause serious eye damage.

Stricter regulations now apply to laser pointers in the EU. Since September 2024, only devices of laser classes 1 and 2 have been allowed. In accordance with the new standard EN 50689 for laser pointers, the maximum permissible power is limited to 1 mW.

Dr Inge Paulini

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) welcome this development. "From the point of view of radiation protection, high-power laser pointers are a safety risk. The new standard enhances consumer protection and reduces the risk of eye injuries. Especially with regard to children and adolescents, the new regulation is an improvement", says Inge Paulini, President of the BfS.

"The new standard will make Europe-wide market monitoring for laser pointers much easier. This means that fewer dangerous laser products will be available on the market. In this way, occupational health and safety risk for consumers can be avoided from the outset", says Isabel Rothe, President of the BAuA.

The misuse of high-power laser pointers frequently causes incidents in road or air traffic (e.g. blinding drivers or pilots). Eye damage resulting from improper use by children, adolescents, and young adults is a major problem. This has also been shown by data from eye clinics.

Commercial laser pointers

This is partly due to laser pointers that are often mislabelled or not labelled at all. Under the new standard, only laser classes 1 and 2 are approved for laser pointers. Laser classes 1M and 2M have been excluded from use in laser pointers. The aim is to make it easier for authorities to check laser pointers for conformity and to prevent the import and sale of incorrectly classified products that are too powerful.

The BfS and the BAuA make the following recommendations:

• If possible, buy and use only Class 1 laser pointers.
• Avoid purchasing laser pointers with power outputs exceeding 1 mW, especially from on-line marketplaces offering bargain deals.
• Avoid purchasing laser products marked as hazardous in the European Safety Gate rapid warning system or the BAuA national database for hazardous products www.baua.de/produktrueckrufe.
• Ensure laser pointers have proper labelling and warning notices, and avoid those without performance information.
• Never point a laser beam at people or look into one intentionally.
• If you do accidentally look into a laser beam, immediately close your eyes, and move your head away from it.
• Remember that laser pointers are not toys and should be kept out of the reach of children and adolescents.