company news about Interpreting Photobiological Safety Standards: How UV LED Manufacturers Ensure Product Safety

With the widespread application of UV LED technology in curing, disinfection, and water treatment, ensuring the safety of users and operators has become a primary responsibility for manufacturers. IEC 62471:2006 (or its latest version) – Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems – is a key standard for measuring the safety of UV LED products. This article will delve into the core requirements of this standard, providing practical guidance and technical measures to ensure products meet safety standards.

The IEC 62471 standard, developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), aims to assess and control the potential harm to the human body (primarily the eyes and skin) caused by incoherent broadband light radiation emitted by various light sources (including LEDs, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, etc.), covering a wavelength range from 200 nm to 3000 nm.

For UV LED manufacturers, this standard requires a focus on the following light radiation hazards: Photochemical ultraviolet hazard ($E_S$): Damage to the skin and eyes (cornea/conjunctiva), wavelength range $200 nm sim 400 nm$. Near-ultraviolet hazard ($UVA$): Damage to the eyes (lens), wavelength range $315 nm sim 400 nm$. Blue light hazards ($B$): Photochemical hazards to the retina, wavelength range $300 nm to 700 nm (less concern for UV-A/B/C LEDs, but still requires evaluation).

EC 62471 classifies light sources into four risk levels based on their irradiance and radiance at a specific distance (typically 200mm or 500mm, depending on the application). UV LED manufacturers should strive to design their products to the lowest possible risk level.

• RG 0 (Exempt): No photobiological hazards under any conditions. Suitable for low-power, continuous-use indicator lights.
• RG 1 (Low Risk): No photobiological hazards under normal exposure conditions. Target level for many consumer and home applications.
• RG 2 (Medium Risk): Some hazards exist, but harm can be avoided through aversion responses in the human body (such as blinking or turning the head). Suitable for applications requiring specialized handling, such as industrial curing.
• RG 3 (High Risk): Even momentary or short-term exposure can cause harm. Should be avoided at all costs. Strict engineering controls must be implemented for the product.

For UV LED manufacturers, ensuring product safety goes beyond testing; it requires integrating it into the entire product design and manufacturing process. 1. Product Design Phase: Source Control - Selecting Appropriate Wavelength and Power: Especially for UV-C LEDs (200 nm～ 280 nm), due to the extremely high hazard of photochemical ultraviolet radiation, careful selection and evaluation of the maximum output power in the application are essential. Optimizing Optical Design: Using secondary optical elements (such as lenses and reflectors) to confine the beam to the target area reduces light leakage and scattering. This effectively reduces the irradiance that may come into contact with the eyes and skin, thereby lowering the risk level. Integrating Safety Mechanisms: For high-power modules, the design must include operational protection mechanisms, such as sensors/interlocks: ensuring that the UV source immediately shuts off when the system enclosure is opened. Time Control: Limiting individual exposure cycles to avoid cumulative dose exceeding limits.

Even if a product reaches RG 1 or RG 2 levels, the manufacturer still has a responsibility to clearly inform users of the risks and provide protection guidance:

• Clear Warning Labels: Affix standard-compliant warning labels, especially UV radiation warning signs, in a prominent location on the product.
• Detailed User Manuals: Clearly state the product's risk level, provide safe operating distances, and guide users on the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as UV protective glasses and gloves.
• Integrated Safety Documentation: If your module is sold as a system component, ensure that your safety data has been communicated to the end system integrator so that they can complete the safety design and labeling on the final product.

Photobiological safety is the lifeline of UV LED products. Adhering to the IEC 62471 standard and integrating it into the product design and manufacturing process is not only a compliance requirement but also the cornerstone of a company's responsibility for user health and the establishment of brand reputation. As a professional UV LED manufacturer, we are well aware that high-power UV light presents both opportunities and challenges. We will continue to adhere to the highest safety standards, providing safe, efficient, and reliable UV LED solutions to our global partners through rigorous technical design and testing.