{"id":13891,"date":"2025-05-23T05:49:31","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T05:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasermet.com\/?p=13891"},"modified":"2025-05-23T05:49:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T05:49:31","slug":"laser-warning-labels-requirements-and-what-you-need-to-know-for-compliance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasermet.com\/us\/laser-warning-labels-requirements-and-what-you-need-to-know-for-compliance\/","title":{"rendered":"Laser Warning Labels: Requirements and What You Need to Know for Compliance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to laser safety in the EU and international markets, IEC 60825-1<\/strong> and its harmonized counterpart EN 60825-1<\/strong> set the standard. One of the key requirements under these regulations is the proper use of laser warning labels<\/strong>\u2014not just for hazard identification, but for legal and technical compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article outlines what manufacturers, integrators, and system designers need to know about laser classification labels under EN \/ IEC 60825-1, including required label content, placement, and durability considerations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Standard Labels according to EN IEC 60825-1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The EN IEC 60825-1 standard lays out a few kinds of laser warning labels that you should have on your laser product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WARNING TRIANGLES<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The laser warning triangle symbol is a yellow triangle with a black border containing a black pictogram of a laser beam (starburst). This symbol is an international standard laser warning symbol, often used in conjunction with other labels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"laser<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Required for:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Warning Triangle symbols are required on all lasers above Class 1.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Class 1<\/td>Class 2<\/td>Class 3R<\/td>Class 3B<\/td>Class 4<\/td><\/tr>
Optional<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

APERTURE LABELS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A laser aperture label is a safety warning label marking the opening or exit point of a laser device. Its purpose is to provide information and warnings to individuals who may come into contact with the laser, especially those who are responsible for operating, maintaining, or servicing the laser equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"laser<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"avoid<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"laser<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Warning Triangles are often used interchangeably with Aperture Labels if a symbol-based label is preferred over a text-based label.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Placement:<\/strong>   <\/em>     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Aperture labels must be placed on or near the laser aperture. If there are multiple apertures, each aperture must have its own label.
It should be clearly visible during normal operation – not obscured by doors, covers, or accessories when the product is in use. And it must be oriented upright (not sideways or upside-down).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Required for:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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These are required on all Class 3R, Class 3B and Class 4 lasers. Most Class 2 lasers require aperture labels with some exemptions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Class 1<\/td>Class 2<\/td>Class 3R<\/td>Class 3B<\/td>Class 4<\/td><\/tr>
Optional<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

CLASSIFICATION LABELS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Laser classes are a standardized system used to classify lasers based on their potential hazards to human eyes and skin. A laser classification label typically includes the laser\u2019s class and signal word such as \u201cDanger\u201d (Class 3B and 4) or \u201cCaution\u201d (Class 2, 2M, 3R), a hazard statement such as \u201cAvoid direct eye exposure\u201d, and may reference the standard it is classified to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"class<\/a>
Simplified Class 1 Label<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"class<\/a>
Class 2 Label with hazard statement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Placement:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Label should be visible during normal operation and on the exterior of the product, and readily accessible but doesn\u2019t need to be near the aperture or warning label.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Required for:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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All laser classes are required to have a classification label. If your laser product contains a laser which is Class 1 even when all housings have been stripped away then it may use a simplified classification label.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Class 1<\/td>Class 2<\/td>Class 3R<\/td>Class 3B<\/td>Class 4<\/td><\/tr>
\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td>\u2713<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

PRODUCT INFORMATION LABELS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A product information label provides valuable information on the manufacturer and specification of the laser product. When used in conjunction with classification labels these need only contain the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n