Product Code: ILSC2007_102

Laser Safety Evaluation by the CB Scheme
Authors:
Nikolay Stoev, Valkom Laser Consulting; Toronto ON Canada
Woody Strzelecki, TUV Rheinland of N.A., Inc.; Newtown CT USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

Laser safety testing is performed under the umbrella of the IECEE (IEC System for Conformity testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment), a branch of IEC, also known as the CB Scheme. Its members include 137 National Certification Bodies (NCBs) from 39 countries. The significant growth of the organization is reflected in the release of over 40 thousand CB certificates and test reports in the year 2005. The Committee of Testing Laboratories (CTL) is the technical branch of the IECEE. The focus of its activity is test specifications, test methods and reproducibility of test results. At its December 2004 meeting, CTL decided to set up an Expert Task Force 11 (ETF11) for lasers, with the mission to produce a laser test equipment list, laser testing guidelines, and develop a laser proficiency testing program for the participating test laboratories. ETF11 also has the responsibility to develop Decision Sheets concerning the interpretation of IEC60825-1 and IEC60825-2 and support other ETFs. The paper reviews the past work of the CTL concerning the application of laser safety standards as well as the past and proposed agenda of ETF11. The authors put forward suggestions for improving communication between the CTL and technical committees developing laser standards, IEC TC 76 in particular.