GB 46865-2025 Safety requirements for optical radiation of consumer laser pointers English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
This is a draft translation for reference among interesting stakeholders. The finalized translation (passing through draft translation, self-check, revision and verification) will be delivered upon being ordered.
ICS
CCS H
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB 46865-2025
Safety requirements for optical radiation of consumer laser pointers
消费类激光指示器产品光辐射安全要求
Issue date: 2025-12-02 Implementation date: 2027-01-01
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Safety Classification and Requirements
4.1 General
4.2 Classification Responsibility
4.3 Classification Rules
4.4 Classes
4.5 Optical Radiation Requirements
4.6 Power Supply Requirements
4.7 Functional Requirements
5 Measurement and Hazard Evaluation
5.1 Basic Requirements
5.2 Measurement Equipment
5.3 Optical Radiation Measurement
5.4 Operating Voltage Measurement
5.5 Function Check
5.6 Determination of Accessible Emission Level
6 Marking and Instructions
6.1 Marking
6.2 Safety Warnings
6.3 Safety Instructions for Use
6.4 Other Requirements
Appendix A (Normative) AEL Values for Laser Pointer Products
Appendix B (Informative) Potential Hazards of Laser Pointer Products
Appendix C (Informative) Mechanisms of Optical Radiation Damage by Lasers
Bibliography
Optical Radiation Safety Requirements for Consumer Laser Pointer Products
1 Scope
This document specifies the optical radiation safety requirements, marking, and instruction requirements for consumer laser pointer products (hereinafter referred to as "laser pointer products"), and describes the corresponding measurement and evaluation methods.
This document applies to the production, testing, and sale of laser pointer products with nominal wavelengths within the visible light range of 400 nm to 700 nm (including, but not limited to, laser pointers, laser presentation pointers, laser aiming devices, and other laser products with indicating, entertainment, and office functions).
This document does not apply to laser products used in electric toys, nor to professional laser pointer products such as laser shooting simulators, laser rangefinders, laser leveling instruments, laser alignment aids, and laser star pointers.
2 Normative References
The following documents contain provisions that, through normative reference in this text, constitute essential provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition corresponding to that date applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 7247.1-2024 Safety of laser products - Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements
GB/T 7247.13-2018 Safety of laser products - Part 13: Measurements for classification of laser products
GB/T 19865-2024 Safety of electric toys
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 7247.1-2024, GB/T 7247.13-2018, and the following apply.
3.1
laser pointer
A hand-held laser product used to indicate target objects or/and spatial positions.
3.2
consumer laser pointer
A laser pointer intended for use by ordinary consumers rather than professional personnel under reasonably foreseeable conditions.
Note 1: Laser products emitting low-power, small-divergence-angle visible radiation, commonly known as laser pens.
Note 2: Direct eye exposure may cause potentially hazardous visual interference, which is particularly noticeable in low-illuminance environments.
3.3
child appealing consumer laser pointer
A laser pointer whose appearance and design are attractive to children or intended for use by children.
Note 1: Laser pointer products may be attractive to children due to features or characteristics such as function, movement, color, characters, sound, lighting, shape, material, size, smell, or taste.
Note 2: Laser pointer products solely emitting visible light are typically not attractive to children.
Note 3: Laser pointer products designed with cartoon appearances, such as telephones, mobile phones or tablets, and in forms like watches and musical instruments, are attractive to children.
3.4
claimed wavelength
The laser wavelength marked on the laser product by the manufacturer.
3.5
emission wavelength
The actual output wavelength of the laser product under normal operating conditions.
3.6
intrabeam viewing
The condition of viewing a laser beam when the eye is exposed to direct or specularly reflected (not diffusely reflected) laser radiation.
[SOURCE: GB/T 7247.1-2024, 3.42]
3.7
staring into the beam
The viewing condition of prolonged intrabeam viewing of a laser beam.
3.8
accessible emission limit (AEL)
The maximum accessible emission permitted within a specified class.
[SOURCE: GB/T 7247.1-2024, 3.3, modified]
3.9
maximum permissible exposure (MPE)
The level of laser radiation to which a person may be exposed without adverse effects under normal circumstances.
[SOURCE: GB/T 7247.1-2024, 3.59, modified]
3.10
visual interference
A physiological phenomenon where exposure of the human eye to intense light causes a temporary reduction or loss of visual function.
Note: Examples include disabling glare, flash blindness, and afterimages, which typically subside after the intense light disappears but may lead to serious accidents due to distraction or loss of control.
4 Safety Classification and Requirements
4.1 General
To assist users in assessing the potential hazards of laser pointer products, hazard classification is established to determine necessary control measures. The general classification of laser products is based on the maximum laser radiation level that may be accessible under normal operating conditions. The safety classes of laser products defined in 3.18 to 3.24 of GB/T 7247.1-2024 (in order of increasing hazard): Class 1, Class 1C, Class 1M, Class 2, Class 2M, and Class 3R, etc., pertain solely to the hazards of laser radiation to the eyes and skin.
Given the usage characteristics of laser pointer products, besides the potential hazards from laser radiation, for low-power laser pointer products emitting visible light, intrabeam viewing may also cause temporary visual impairments such as glare, flash blindness, and afterimages. This effect depends on the usage conditions and environmental illuminance.
The laser pointer product class specified in this document is solely Class 1, whose emission power limits are determined according to Figure 1 and Appendix A.
Laser pointer products shall comply with all requirements of this document, including control measures, marking, and user information.
The electrical parts of laser pointer products shall comply with relevant electrical safety standards.