How to Read CE Marking Notations

CE marks are only required in countries that have taken the European Norms (EN) and have then gone ahead and adopted those laser safety regulations. This is typically European Union (EU) countries such as Germany. CE markings are not required here in the United States nor in countries in North America. All of our laser safety glasses meet ANSI and OSHA requirements, the standards that are applicable in North America. Please reach out if you have any questions.

What is ANSI?

ANSI standards are created from volunteers and varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on laser safety issues. Numerous organizations for the laser safety standards were represented, including government agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), branches of the U.S. military, different laboratories, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, and representatives from different organizations like the American Dental Association. The Laser Institute of America (LIA) servers as the secretariat and publisher of the ANSI Z136 series on laser safety standards—of which Laser Safety Industries is a proud member.

What are European Norms?

European Norms (EN) are formed in a similar capacity with the material difference that where these norms are adopted, they become law. Furthermore, an independent verifier must issue certification that a protection level is met.

ANSI vs EU Standards

As a result of working with large international corporate clients that require the CE certification, we have obtained the CE mark certification for particular frames (our frame 10 fit-over) on the following filters(110/111, 125/126, 130/131, 145/146). The fit-over (frame 10) marketed in the (110, 125, 130, and 145) are the exact same as the fit-over with the SKUs (111, 126, 131, 146) marketed with the CE certification.

The material used in the filter/lens of the eyewear for (100-xx-110; 100-xx-125; 100-xx-130; 100-xx-145 product offerings) are all the same in each frame (and not to repeat information but this also means the same material for the filter/lens in the corresponding CE marked product (100-10-111; 100-10-126; 100-10-131; 100-10-146). To be clear, only the the fit-over frame 10 in the SKUs mentioned above have obtained CE certification, marketed as (100-10-111, 100-10-126, 100-10-131, 100-10-146).

The remainder of the frames in the SKUs mentioned above (100-xx-110; 100-xx-125; 100-xx-130; 100-xx-145) have not been certified with a CE mark.

For corporate clients who are in need of this particular certification for a given filter/frame combination, we are always happy to work with them if the need arises to begin the certification process.

For further information on w these standards/norms, see our blog ANSI vs. CE.

Reading CE Laser Safety Notation

Example: European Conformity (CE) KTP Laser Safety Glasses, (our 110/111) the specifications are as follows:

Specifications: D 190-532nm LB6 | | I, R 190-532 nm LB7

Let's break down how to read the specifications:

The LB6 level in the first specification corresponds to an optical density of 6 for type "D" laser from 190-532 nm (see below for further detail).

The testing and corresponding certification process for a CE mark is on both the frame as well as the lens. The EN(s) have taken a very conservative approach, requiring testing on each particular frame as well as the lens.

Our laser safety glasses (and other PPE) are for diffused viewing and incidental direct hits; utilizing laser safety eyewear or other PPE for direct viewing for long durations of time (more than 0.25s for visible lasers - the reflex of the blink of the eye) is not proper safety. Never look directly into a laser.

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.

EU vs ANSI Standards

In the image above, the image on the left would have the specification of an LB6, as it would be the minimum specification of the frame and the lens Min (LB6, LB7). Our optical density markings that are not CE marked are only a statement about the lens, and the image on the right would be marked with an OD7.

The first letter D (or the second specification I and R) refer to the pulse frequency of the laser that particular specification has been marked for. For instance, the "D" represents a continuous wavelength laser with constant power. See beneath the table for details of each type of laser. For a brief overview on why pulse frequency matters, see How to Read CE Marking Notations.

We've included the table from EN207 for the classification and specifications of filters and eye protection against lasers

EN207 – Classification and Specifications of filters and eye protection against Lasers
Scale number	Max spectral transmittance At Laser Wavelength	Maximum power (E) and/or energy (H) density in the wavelength range
		180nm to 315nm			>315nm to 1400nm			>1400nm to 1000 microns
		D W/m ²	I,R J/m ²	M W/m ²	D W/m ²	I,R J/m ²	M J/m ²	D W/m ²	I,R J/m ²	M W/m ²
L1	10 ^-1	10 ^-2	3x10 ²	3x10 ¹¹	10 ²	5x10 ^-2	1.5x10 ^-3	10 ⁴	10 ³	10 ¹²
L2	10 ^-2	10 ^-1	3x10 ³	3x10 ¹²	10 ³	5x10 ^-1	1.5x10 ^-2	10 ⁵	10 ⁴	10 ¹³
L3	10 ^-3	1	3x10 ⁴	3x10 ¹³	10 ⁴	5	0.15	10 ⁶	10 ⁵	10 ¹⁴
L4	10 ^-4	10	3x10 ⁵	3x10 ¹⁴	10 ⁵	50	1.5	10 ⁷	10 ⁶	10 ¹⁵
L5	10 ^-5	10 ²	3x10 ⁶	3x10 ¹⁵	10 ⁶	5x10 ²	15	10 ⁸	10 ⁷	10 ¹⁶
L6	10 ^-6	10 ³	3x10 ⁷	3x10 ¹⁶	10 ⁷	5x10 ³	1.5x10 ²	10 ⁹	10 ⁸	10 ¹⁷
L7	10 ^-7	10 ⁴	3x10 ⁸	3x10 ¹⁷	10 ⁸	5x10 ⁴	1.5x10 ³	10 ¹⁰	10 ⁹	10 ¹⁸
L8	10 ^-8	10 ⁵	3x10 ⁹	3x10 ¹⁸	10 ⁹	5x10 ⁵	1.5x10 ⁴	10 ¹¹	10 ¹⁰	10 ¹⁹
L9	10 ^-9	10 ⁶	3x10 ¹⁰	3x10 ¹⁹	10 ¹⁰	5x10 ⁶	1.5x10 ⁵	10 ¹²	10 ¹¹	10 ²⁰
L10	10 ^-10	10 ⁷	3x10 ¹¹	3x10 ²⁰	10 ¹¹	5x10 ⁷	1.5x10 ⁶	10 ¹³	10 ¹²	10 ²¹

	The L value corresponds to the optical density value L6 = OD 6
	The maximum transmittance at the wavelength allowed for the that “L” level
D	Continuous Wave (cw) with constant average power. Pulsed Length: > 0.25 seconds
I,R	I: Pulsed: short single or periodic energy emission > 1µs to 0.25s R: Giant Pulsed: very short single or periodic energy mission 1 µs to 1ns
M	M: Mode locked. < 1 ns (pico and femtosecond)
	The different shades of green are the different wavelength ranges

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I would offer this is the only company I will do business with regarding Class 4 Laser safety. Their service is second to none. Regarding the acrylic face shield only, and its protection, this is absolute. The hardware metal screws are of a poor grade and sheared in half. The controls to elevate the face shield, will not properly hold the face shield elevated, and all plastic components, excepting the acrylic face shield, component plastic used, is some sort of possible styrene and not acceptable for this application . I wear their CE protective goggles in the 445 NM in the event the unit fails, and if you do, the face shield has merit in Class 4.

Thank you for your review. We're pleased to hear that our service has met your expectations. Regarding your experience with the face shield:

Screws: This issue is unprecedented for us, but we value your feedback. We will expedite the dispatch of replacement screws. Please contact us to arrange this.
Elevation Mechanism: We're interested in understanding the specific issue you've encountered to ensure it doesn't happen again. We'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further and find a solution.

Please note that our face shield design is functionally similar to those available from industry leaders like Pyramex, Grainger, 3M, or at hardware stores, differing primarily in the addition of the laser safety component, which is our unique value proposition.

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