In global trade, laser marking machines, as important equipment for industrial processing, must meet the corresponding laser safety regulatory requirements when exported to markets such as the EU and North America. IEC 60825‑1 is the core standard for laser product safety developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission, specifying the classification, requirements, and user guidelines for laser equipment. It serves as the technical foundation for export certification of laser marking machines.
I. Overview of IEC 60825‑1
IEC 60825‑1, "Safety of laser products – Part 1: Equipment classification and requirements", applies to laser products with wavelengths ranging from 180 nm to 1 mm, covering industrial processing, medical, research, consumer, and other types of laser equipment. The core objective of the standard is to classify laser products and define safety protection requirements for different classes, minimising the risk of laser radiation damage to human eyes and skin.
Laser marking machines, as typical high‑power laser equipment, generally fall under Class 4 – meaning they pose serious hazards to eyes and skin, and even scattered light can cause injury. Therefore, exported laser marking machines must strictly undergo safety classification certification in accordance with IEC 60825‑1.
II. Core Test Items for Certification
The test items for IEC 60825‑1 certification primarily focus on laser radiation safety:
1. Laser radiation parameter testing: Accurate measurement of key parameters such as laser output power, energy density, pulse duration, and wavelength, to determine the product‘s safety class (Class 1 to Class 4).
2. Eye safety classification: Simulating normal use and single‑fault conditions to ensure that the equipment does not exceed the Accessible Emission Limits (AEL) in any scenario.
3. Assessment of protective measures: Includes verification of warning label compliance, validation of safety interlock devices, evaluation of beam shielding effectiveness, and review of safety information in user manuals.
III. Certification Process and Required Documentation
The certification process generally includes: consultation and evaluation → contract signing → sample preparation → laboratory testing → report compilation → report delivery.
Required technical documentation includes:
Product technical specifications
Circuit schematics and PCB layout diagrams
Laser component specifications
Product structural drawings
Laser warning label design drafts
User manual
Bill of materials (BOM)
Applicant/manufacturer information
IV. Certification Timeline
The standard certification cycle is 5‑7 working days, with expedited services available to shorten it to 3 working days. The actual timeline depends on product complexity and the completeness of documentation.
V. Professional Certification Body – Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection
Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection Technology Co., Ltd. (CTNT) is a professional laser product testing and certification body with authoritative accreditations including CNAS and CMA. With over ten years of dedicated experience in the laser product testing field, the company offers the following core advantages:
Comprehensive testing capabilities: More than 70 laser‑related authorised standards, over 120 testing capability parameters, power measurement range covering pW to 5 kW, and pulse measurement accuracy down to the picosecond level.
Extensive practical experience: The engineering team has been engaged in laser equipment testing for many years, having served over 5,000 customers and issued more than 5,000 test reports. Testing standards cover IEC 60825‑1, EN 60825‑1, GB/T 7247.1, 21 CFR 1040.10, and others.
One‑stop service: Full‑process technical support from laser safety classification certification to performance parameter testing.
For laser marking machine exporters, choosing a certification body with strong technical expertise and extensive experience is a key step in ensuring smooth international certification and avoiding trade barriers. With its professional technical team and comprehensive testing capabilities, Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection provides a solid compliance foundation for the international expansion of laser enterprises.
