Laserpointers law in Europe

In short

Long story short, since februari 5, 2014 the European union has decided to ban laserpointers higher than class 2 with maximum 1mW output power. Meaning class 3R (1-5mW),3B(5-500mW) and class 4(500mW+) laser pointers are forbidden to sell and or own in the European union. Source English - NVWA source (dutch)

All laserpointers sold in Europe must comply with the norm: NEN IEC 60825-1:2014 and the general product safety directive under: 2001/95/EC (sources: Source 1 - Source 2) , have a technical file with ROHS and EMC tests and when they comply get a CE marking.

The problem right now in Europe

99% of laser pointer resellers buy them from China and the problem in China is they do not have to comply with European laws so they just place a label on there claiming to be CE compliant and max output 1mW but when tested it is most of the time 10x higher and thus making the CE mark invalid. In Europe when you buy from China you are resposible for complying with the law here in Europe and not the seller in China because the law there has nothing to do with Europe.

So over the last couple of years there has been a spike in laserpointers who are dangerous and unsafe and most importantly illegal to sell.

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Laserpointer classes

*Chart courtesy LaserSafetyFacts.com

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Why its dangerous to use and sell laserpointers over class 2

Laser pointers over 1mW are considered dangerous because when for example a class 4 laser hits the pupil in your eye, you will become permanantly blind. In June, 2018 A boy in Greece has permament eye damage by shining into his own eyes. Besides eye damage class 3 and 4 laser pointers can burn your skin within 15meters! Imagine if anyone could buy these without restrictions so the 2014 ban is a life saver for many but unfortunately there are still webshops selling illegal laser pointers higher than class 2. Its our mission to stop them and educate them about the law in Europe.

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Examples of a legal and illegal laserpointer.

You can clearly see the differences in strength and this shows in the output test. Besides output the label used on the illegal laserpointer is not compliant with the norm NEN IEC 60825-1:2014.

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What about selling laser pointers to businesses only (B2B)

We have had close contact with goverment agencies in Europe discussing the law around laser pointers and in short selling laserpointers higher than class 2 to businesses is the same for consumers.

Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety applies to all products placed on the market so this directive also applies to laserpointers whether consumers or businesses doesn't matter. In the scope of a laserpointer common sense can be used to determine that a class 3R, 3B and especially a class 4 shall not be considered safe and here is why:

• 1. Laser pointers are not enclosed so the risk is very high in the wrong hands. (Shining to airplanes is easy with a class 4 laser, eye damage, easy access for consumers etc).
• 2. Imagine you selling class 3/4 laserpointers business to business, this does not take away the risk of them shining into the eyes or employees either by accident or on purpose.
• 3. CD rom drives use a class 3B laser and this is allowed because the laser is enclosed and no damage is possible unless you take it apart, a laser pointer purpose is to have an exposed laser beam come out making it a unsafe product by default or in law terms it does not simply comply with the directive:2001/95/EC.
• 4. NVWA which is the dutch government agency to check non-food products says any laserpointer over class 2 is illegal and can be stopped even at customs level when importing any laserpointer over class 2. Here is the proof of a NVWA report on class 4 lasers imported from China

To back above up once more, the goverment agency Rijksoverheid.nl in The Netherlands responded with this statement regarding our question about selling higher classes laser pointers to businesses only.

"Op grond van de huidige wet en regelgeving is het verhandelen van klasse 1, 2 en 2M laserpointers als 'aanwijsstok' bij presentaties toegestaan. U mag niet handelen in laserpointers van klasse 3R, 3B en 4 laserpointers. Dit verbod geldt zowel voor de verkoop aan consumenten als aan bedrijven. Deze informatie is terug te lezen via de website van de NVWA. https://www.nvwa.nl/onderwerpen/laserpointers".

Ingrid J. Patings - Raghoenandan
Publieksvoorlichting VWS

Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport
Directie Communicatie
Postbus 20350 | 2500 EJ | Den Haag
www.rijksoverheid.nl
E-mail: Voorlichting@minvws.nl

To verify this statement agencies can contact Rijksoverheid.nl and use case number: #VWSzorg1911 0501

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Want to read more about laser pointers law and safety?

Check out our friends at: LaserPointerSafety