With the rising use of LED lighting, the requirements for its safety are also increasing. A key aspect in this context is photobiological safety. This evaluates whether lamps, luminaires, and LED modules are safe for the eyes and skin.
IEC 62471 forms the basis for product safety, manufacturer assessments, and legal requirements – for example, in accordance with EU Directive 2006/25/EC or the Optical Radiation Ordinance (OStrV). A standard-compliant assessment is essential for product approvals and safety in the workplace.
Why is photobiological safety important?
LEDs and other incoherent light sources such as incandescent or fluorescent lamps can cause risks due to optical radiation. The IEC 62471 standard therefore categorizes light sources into four risk groups (RG 0–3):
• RG 0: No photobiological hazard (no labelling required)
• RG 1: Risk negligible under normal use
• RG 2: Risk is reduced by natural protective reflexes (e.g., instinctive looking away)
• RG 3: High risk even with brief exposure; use as general lighting not permitted
Manufacturers are legally obliged to test their products accordingly and to label them if necessary. Compliance with the limit values is mandatory for employees in industry, production, and laboratories.
SGS – your partner for photobiological safety testing
In our SGS optics laboratory in Puchheim, near Munich, we test your products for photobiological safety in accordance with IEC 62471 – from visible light to the near infrared (200 nm to 2,500 nm). Our accredited laboratory uses recognized reference measurement methods.
We support you with:
• Standardized testing of your luminaires, lamps, and LED components
• Risk assessment and classification including full documentation
• Product labelling according to the risk group
Contact
Armin Hudetz
f: +49 89 78 74 75-133
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