May 22, 2014—The Laser Illuminated Projector Association (LIPA) applauds the efforts of the dedicated scientists of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) for the May 16 publication of IEC 60825-1:2014, also known as "Edition 3." This standard acknowledges, among many other updates, that laser illuminated projectors (LIPs) should be classified the same way as lamp-based projectors; rather than as laser light show products. This action effectively acknowledges that the light emitted from LIPs is unlike that of collimated laser beams used in light shows or other direct laser beam products.
The IEC’s Technical Council 76 (TC76), which drafted and debated the new standard, is an international group of laser experts which ensured that Edition 3 (IEC 60825-1:2014) reflects the current scientific knowledge. The group based their analysis upon comprehensive scientific review of the latest laser products.
“Congratulations to the TC76 Committee and working groups who worked tirelessly on updating the 60825 standards with Edition 3,” noted Pete Ludé, chairman of LIPA’s regulatory committee. “The IEC has recognized the changing nature of laser and projection technology and helped to lift a significant market burden on the projection industry. We look forward to further updates to IEC standards, such as the IEC 62471-5, and the prompt actions by governments and regulatory bodies around the world to update regulations to reflect this important new international standard.”
Almost every country bases its product safety regulations upon the IEC standards, and many will now take additional steps to ensure its effective implementation. Many countries, including the U.S. and the European Union member states, are in various stages of review of the new standard for consistency with its existing laws and regulations. In the U.S., LIPA will continue to collaborate with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), to ensure the regulatory pathway reflects the latest in scientific findings and permits the adoption of these energy-saving, brighter projectors. In the European Union, LIPA will continue to work with local jurisdictions to ensure that LIPs meet consumer and workplace safety regulations, and those regulations are consistent with optical radiation directives.
LIPA members will also continue their work with the IEC to ensure that the body of standards under which the majority of LIPs will now fall (IEC 62471-5, Edition 1) takes into consideration the unique aspects of image projectors and creates appropriate scientific-based recommendations for their risk classification, and does not place unnecessarily burdensome regulations upon LIPs manufacturers.
About LIPA
LIPA was founded in May 2011, to speed the adoption of laser illuminated projectors into theaters, and other public spaces worldwide by providing the information needed to enact regulatory change and educate stakeholders. LIPs are enabling movie theater and conference room audiences to enjoy higher quality and dramatically brighter images, especially in 3D, while lowering operating costs and reducing power consumption. More information about LIPA is available at www.LIPAInfo.org.