Important Laser Safety Note
Final laser safety product selection should always be reviewed by the on-site Laser Safety Officer (LSO) or other qualified laser safety personnel based on the actual laser system, operating conditions, beam characteristics, and applicable safety standards.
What Standards Are Used in Laser Safety?
In laser safety, two primary standards systems are commonly encountered:
ANSI laser safety standards used primarily in the United States and much of North America
European Norms (EN) adopted by European Union member countries
Additionally, OSHA regulations play an important role in workplace laser safety compliance within the United States.
In the United States, the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) regulates laser products under federal laser product performance standards, including many industrial, scientific, and medical laser systems. ANSI standards, by comparison, primarily provide guidance for the safe use of lasers in workplace, research, industrial, and medical environments.
This article discusses:
Where ANSI and EN standards are typically applied
How the standards are developed
Major differences between ANSI and EN laser safety approaches
Differences between Optical Density (OD) notation and EN LB ratings
Alignment standards and laser safety philosophy
The most notable distinction is that ANSI standards are generally applicable within the United States and much of North America, while EN standards are primarily associated with European Union regulatory requirements.
What Is ANSI?
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) oversees the ANSI Z136 series of laser safety standards used throughout the United States.
ANSI standards are developed through a consensus process involving volunteers and organizations representing a wide range of technical viewpoints and industries.
Organizations participating in laser safety standard development have included:
Government agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Branches of the U.S. military
National laboratories such as Los Alamos National Laboratory
Medical and dental organizations
Industrial laser manufacturers
Laser safety professionals and researchers
The Laser Institute of America (LIA) serves as the secretariat and publisher for the ANSI Z136 series of laser safety standards. Laser Safety Industries is a proud member of the LIA — see our LIA company profile here
What Are European Norms (EN)?
European Norms (EN) are laser safety standards commonly adopted throughout the European Union.
While developed in a somewhat similar collaborative manner, EN standards differ from ANSI standards in several important ways.
Most notably:
EN standards may become legal requirements when adopted within EU member countries
Certification testing is generally required through independent notified bodies
Both the filter and the frame may be evaluated as part of certification requirements
Common European laser safety standards include:
EN207 — Full laser safety eyewear
EN208 — Laser alignment eyewear
EN60825 — Laser product safety classification and requirements
The Biggest Difference Between ANSI and EN Laser Safety Eyewear
One of the largest differences between ANSI-style laser safety eyewear and EN-certified eyewear is the testing and certification methodology.
Under many EN certification requirements:
The frame and lens are evaluated together
Independent certification is required
Specific laser resistance testing methodologies are applied
Protection levels are expressed using LB ratings
This approach is often more conservative and significantly more expensive due to the additional testing and certification requirements involved.
By comparison, Optical Density (OD) notation commonly used within the United States primarily describes the attenuation characteristics of the filter itself at specified wavelengths.
ANSI Optical Density (OD) vs EN LB Ratings
ANSI-style notation commonly used in North America typically appears as:
OD 7+ @ 190–532 nm
This notation describes the optical attenuation provided by the filter across a given wavelength range.
European EN markings instead utilize LB ratings and pulse-condition classifications.
For example:
D LB6
IR LB7
Under EN certification, the effective protection level may be limited by the minimum performance between the frame and the lens system.
For example:
A lens rated LB7 installed into a frame assembly tested only to LB6 would ultimately carry an effective rating of LB6.
We illustrated the difference in CE marked specifications and the OD specifications that are common industry notation here in the United States and North America.
Our Optical Density markings on non-CE products describe the attenuation performance of the filter itself and are not equivalent to EN LB notation.
CE Certification Does Not Mean Direct Viewing Is Safe
A common misunderstanding is that CE-certified laser safety eyewear is intended for intentional direct viewing of laser beams.
This is not proper laser safety practice.
Laser safety eyewear and PPE are intended for:
Diffuse viewing protection
Incidental exposure scenarios
Unintentional direct exposure conditions
They are not intended for intentional long-duration direct beam viewing.
For visible lasers, the human blink reflex typically occurs at approximately 0.25 seconds. Laser safety systems should never rely on intentionally staring into laser beams, even when using CE-certified eyewear.
Never intentionally look directly into any laser beam.
Proper laser safety always involves:
Engineering controls
Administrative controls
Beam management
Proper training
Appropriate PPE
Laser Alignment Standards: ANSI vs EN208
European standard EN208 specifically addresses laser alignment eyewear.
Alignment eyewear presents unique challenges because the user must often maintain limited beam visibility while still remaining below Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) thresholds.
Excessive attenuation during alignment procedures can create additional operational hazards by making the beam impossible to see safely.
Proper alignment procedures should always involve:
Appropriate alignment eyewear
Trained personnel
Controlled beam paths
Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Appropriate laser power reduction where possible
Nominal Hazard Zones (NHZ) and Safety Philosophy
ANSI laser safety guidance discusses concepts such as the Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ), which helps define areas where hazardous laser exposure may credibly exist.
European laser safety standards often place heavier emphasis on certified protection performance and conservative engineering controls.
In practice, both ANSI and EN approaches are intended to reduce hazardous exposure and improve operational laser safety.
Laser safety ultimately depends on:
The laser system itself
The operating environment
Beam geometry
Reflections
Human interaction with the system
Proper implementation of engineering and administrative controls
Special Considerations for Military and Aviation Applications
Certain military, aviation, and law enforcement applications may involve operational considerations beyond standard industrial laser environments.
These considerations can include:
Situational awareness
Visibility requirements
Color recognition
Cockpit compatibility
Instrument visibility
Mission-specific operational constraints
Because of these factors, selecting laser safety eyewear for these applications often requires careful evaluation beyond simply choosing the highest available Optical Density.
If you are purchasing laser safety eyewear for military, aviation, or law enforcement applications, we strongly encourage contacting us before selecting a product so operational tradeoffs and application requirements can be properly reviewed.
Laser Safety Industries also provides certain specialty configurations not currently listed on our website, including select face shield systems for law enforcement applications.
If you have questions regarding ANSI, EN, CE certification, Optical Density, or laser safety product selection, please contact our team directly.