Grix
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EDIT: A lot have happened since I made this thread three years ago. It is now illegal to operate or own lasers class 3b (in some places 3a) or above in almost every country. Be safe, never use your lasers in public and keep them unavailable from safety-ignorant friends and family.
Safety and legal status is one of the most important topics on this forum, yet there is much debate and confusion on what are the actual laws regarding lasers, especially with newer members. I made this thread to clear up that confusion and to make it easier for everyone to know the facts.
I have mostly copied this from wikipedia, so there might be errors/outdated info. Feel free to post info about laws in your own country or to confirm the laws of -/add laws to an existing country.
LASER CLASSES
CLASS I (1) LASERS: Class I lasers are low-powered and do not emit hazardous radiation under normal operating conditions because they are completely enclosed.
CLASS II (2) LASERS: Class II lasers are lasers that emit accessible visible laser light with power levels less than 1 mW that normally would not produce a hazard if viewed for only momentary periods with the unaided eye.
CLASS IIIa (3A) LASERS: Class IIIa lasers are systems with power levels of 1 to 5 mW that normally would not produce a hazard if viewed for only momentary periods with the unaided eye.
CLASS IIIb (3B) LASERS: Class IIIb lasers are systems with power levels of 5 mW to 500 mW for continuous wave lasers or less than 10 J/cm² for a 0.25 s pulsed laser. These lasers will produce an eye hazard if viewed directly.
CLASS IV (4) LASERS: Class IV lasers are systems with power levels greater than 500 mW for continuous wave lasers or greater than 10 J/cm² for a 0.25 s pulsed laser. These lasers will produce eye, skin and fire hazards.
LAWS BY COUNTRY
!! Pointing a laser at a vehicle, plane, boat, another person, animal and otherwise dangerous actions are illegal and punishable in every country. !!
Australia
In Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, a laser pointer with an accessible emission limit greater than 1 mW is classified as a prohibited weapon and any sale of such items must be recorded. In Western Australia, regulatory changes have classified laser pointers as controlled weapons and demonstration of a lawful reason for possession is required. Also The State Government has banned as of 2000 the manufacture, sale and possession of laser pointers higher than class 2. In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, the product safety standard for laser pointers prescribes that they must be a Class 1 or a Class 2 laser product.
NB: I've been told you do not need a permit if you are a member of an approved astronomy organisation or if you own a weapon permit.
Canada
No regulations controlling the importation and sale of laser pointers have been established in Canada to date, except for the federal regulation that manufacturers comply with the Radiation Emitting Devices Act.
United Kingdom
UK and most of Europe are now harmonized on Class 2 (<1 mW) for General presentation use laser pointers or laser pens. There are no specific UK laws relating to laser pointers; however, Health and Safety regulation insists on use of Class 2 anywhere the public can come in contact with laser light, and the DTI have urged Trading Standards authorities to use their existing powers under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 to remove lasers above class 2 from the general market.
United States
Laser pointers are defined as Class II or Class IIIa devices, with output beam power less than 5 milliwatts (<5 mW). According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, more powerful lasers may not be sold or promoted as laser pointers. Also, any laser with class higher than IIIa (more than 5 milliwatts) requires a key-switch interlock and other safety features.
LOCAL LAWS MAY VARY. PLEASE CHECK YOUR STATE'S LAWS.
All laser products offered in commerce in the US must be registered with the FDA, regardless of output power.
Europe
Laws in Europe vary greatly, please check your local country's laws. But most countries do now or will in the near future ban Class 3A and above pointers.
South Korea
Only lasers class II or lower are permitted. No lasers are allowed for children.
Singapore
A license is required for operating high powered lasers (over class 3b).
See www.nea.gov.sg/cms/nst/doc/LaserRadiationNotes.doc
Safety and legal status is one of the most important topics on this forum, yet there is much debate and confusion on what are the actual laws regarding lasers, especially with newer members. I made this thread to clear up that confusion and to make it easier for everyone to know the facts.
I have mostly copied this from wikipedia, so there might be errors/outdated info. Feel free to post info about laws in your own country or to confirm the laws of -/add laws to an existing country.
LASER CLASSES
CLASS I (1) LASERS: Class I lasers are low-powered and do not emit hazardous radiation under normal operating conditions because they are completely enclosed.
CLASS II (2) LASERS: Class II lasers are lasers that emit accessible visible laser light with power levels less than 1 mW that normally would not produce a hazard if viewed for only momentary periods with the unaided eye.
CLASS IIIa (3A) LASERS: Class IIIa lasers are systems with power levels of 1 to 5 mW that normally would not produce a hazard if viewed for only momentary periods with the unaided eye.
CLASS IIIb (3B) LASERS: Class IIIb lasers are systems with power levels of 5 mW to 500 mW for continuous wave lasers or less than 10 J/cm² for a 0.25 s pulsed laser. These lasers will produce an eye hazard if viewed directly.
CLASS IV (4) LASERS: Class IV lasers are systems with power levels greater than 500 mW for continuous wave lasers or greater than 10 J/cm² for a 0.25 s pulsed laser. These lasers will produce eye, skin and fire hazards.
LAWS BY COUNTRY
!! Pointing a laser at a vehicle, plane, boat, another person, animal and otherwise dangerous actions are illegal and punishable in every country. !!
Australia
In Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, a laser pointer with an accessible emission limit greater than 1 mW is classified as a prohibited weapon and any sale of such items must be recorded. In Western Australia, regulatory changes have classified laser pointers as controlled weapons and demonstration of a lawful reason for possession is required. Also The State Government has banned as of 2000 the manufacture, sale and possession of laser pointers higher than class 2. In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, the product safety standard for laser pointers prescribes that they must be a Class 1 or a Class 2 laser product.
NB: I've been told you do not need a permit if you are a member of an approved astronomy organisation or if you own a weapon permit.
Canada
No regulations controlling the importation and sale of laser pointers have been established in Canada to date, except for the federal regulation that manufacturers comply with the Radiation Emitting Devices Act.
United Kingdom
UK and most of Europe are now harmonized on Class 2 (<1 mW) for General presentation use laser pointers or laser pens. There are no specific UK laws relating to laser pointers; however, Health and Safety regulation insists on use of Class 2 anywhere the public can come in contact with laser light, and the DTI have urged Trading Standards authorities to use their existing powers under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 to remove lasers above class 2 from the general market.
United States
Laser pointers are defined as Class II or Class IIIa devices, with output beam power less than 5 milliwatts (<5 mW). According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, more powerful lasers may not be sold or promoted as laser pointers. Also, any laser with class higher than IIIa (more than 5 milliwatts) requires a key-switch interlock and other safety features.
LOCAL LAWS MAY VARY. PLEASE CHECK YOUR STATE'S LAWS.
All laser products offered in commerce in the US must be registered with the FDA, regardless of output power.
Europe
Laws in Europe vary greatly, please check your local country's laws. But most countries do now or will in the near future ban Class 3A and above pointers.
South Korea
Only lasers class II or lower are permitted. No lasers are allowed for children.
Singapore
A license is required for operating high powered lasers (over class 3b).
See www.nea.gov.sg/cms/nst/doc/LaserRadiationNotes.doc
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