# Directive 2006/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from physical agents (artificial optical radiation) (19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

EU Directive 2006/25 · adopted 5 April 2006

Directive 2006/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from physical agents (artificial optical radiation) (19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

## Introductory text

Directive 2006/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 5 April 2006
on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from physical agents (artificial optical radiation) (19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 137(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, presented after consultation with the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,
After consulting the Committee of the Regions,
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty, in the light of the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 31 January 2006,
Whereas:
(1)
Under the Treaty the Council may, by means of directives, adopt minimum requirements for encouraging improvements, especially in the working environment, to guarantee a better level of protection of the health and safety of workers. Such directives are to avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
(2)
The communication from the Commission concerning its action programme relating to the implementation of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers provides for the introduction of minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks caused by physical agents. In September 1990 the European Parliament adopted a Resolution concerning this action programme, inviting the Commission in particular to draw up a specific directive on the risks caused by noise, vibration and any other physical agents at the workplace.
(3)
As a first step, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2002/44/EC of 25 June 2002 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration) (16th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). Next, on 6 February 2003 the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise) (17th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). Thereafter, on 29 April 2004, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2004/40/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) (18th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC).
(4)
It is now considered necessary to introduce measures protecting workers from the risks associated with optical radiation, owing to its effects on the health and safety of workers, in particular damage to the eyes and to the skin. These measures are intended not only to ensure the health and safety of each worker on an individual basis, but also to create a minimum basis of protection for all Community workers, in order to avoid possible distortions of competition.
(5)
One of the aims of this Directive is the timely detection of adverse health effects resulting from exposure to optical radiation.
(6)
This Directive lays down minimum requirements, thus giving Member States the option of maintaining or adopting more stringent provisions for the protection of workers, in particular the fixing of lower exposure limit values. The implementation of this Directive must not serve to justify any deterioration in the situation which already prevails in each Member State.
(7)
A system of protection against the hazards of optical radiation should limit itself to a definition, free of excessive detail, of the objectives to be attained, the principles to be observed and the basic values to be applied, in order to enable Member States to apply the minimum requirements in an equivalent manner.
(8)
The level of exposure to optical radiation can be more effectively reduced by incorporating preventive measures into the design of workstations and by selecting work equipment, procedures and methods so as to give priority to reducing the risks at source. Provisions relating to work equipment and methods thus contribute to the protection of the workers involved. In accordance with the general principles of prevention as laid down in Article 6(2) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work, collective protection measures have priority over individual protection measures.
(9)
Employers should make adjustments in the light of technical progress and scientific knowledge regarding risks related to exposure to optical radiation, with a view to improving the safety and health protection of workers.
(10)
Since this Directive is an individual directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, that Directive applies to the exposure of workers to optical radiation, without prejudice to more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in this Directive.
(11)
This Directive constitutes a practical step towards creating the social dimension of the internal market.
(12)
A complementary approach that both promotes the principle of better regulation and ensures a high level of protection can be achieved where the products made by the manufacturers of optical radiation sources and associated equipment comply with harmonised standards devised to protect the health and safety of users from the hazards inherent in such products; accordingly, it is not necessary for employers to repeat the measurements or calculations already undertaken by the manufacturer to determine compliance with the essential safety requirements of such equipment as specified in the applicable Community Directives, provided that the equipment has been properly and regularly maintained.
(13)
The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.
(14)
Adherence to the exposure limit values should provide a high level of protection as regards the health effects that may result from exposure to optical radiation.
(15)
The Commission should draw up a practical guide to help employers, in particular managers of SMEs, better to understand the technical provisions of this Directive. The Commission should strive to complete this guide as quickly as possible so as to facilitate adoption by the Member States of the measures necessary to implement this Directive.
(16)
In accordance with paragraph 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making, Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interests of the Community, their own tables illustrating, as far as possible, the correlation between this Directive and the transposition measures, and to make them public,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

## Section I: GENERAL PROVISIONS

## 1 Aim and scope

1. This Directive, which is the 19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(l) of Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down minimum requirements for the protection of workers from risks to their health and safety arising or likely to arise from exposure to artificial optical radiation during their work.
2. This Directive refers to the risk to the health and safety of workers due to adverse effects caused by exposure to artificial optical radiation to the eyes and to the skin.
3. Directive 89/391/EEC shall apply fully to the whole area referred to in paragraph 1, without prejudice to more stringent and/or more specific provisions contained in this Directive.

## 2 Definitions

For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) optical radiation: any electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 100 nm and 1 mm. The spectrum of optical radiation is divided into ultraviolet radiation, visible radiation and infrared radiation:
(i) ultraviolet radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 100 nm and 400 nm. The ultraviolet region is divided into UVA (315-400 nm), UVB (280-315 nm) and UVC (100-280 nm);
(ii) visible radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 380 nm and 780 nm;
(iii) infrared radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 780 nm and 1 mm. The infrared region is divided into IRA (780-1 400 nm), IRB (1 400-3 000 nm) and IRC (3 000 nm-1 mm);
(b) laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation): any device which can be made to produce or amplify electromagnetic radiation in the optical radiation wavelength range primarily by the process of controlled stimulated emission;
(c) laser radiation: optical radiation from a laser;
(d) non-coherent radiation: any optical radiation other than laser radiation;
(e) exposure limit values: limits on exposure to optical radiation which are based directly on established health effects and biological considerations. Compliance with these limits will ensure that workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation are protected against all known adverse health effects;
(f) irradiance (E) or power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface expressed in watts per square metre (W m-2);
(g) radiant exposure (H): the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre (J m-2);
(h) radiance (L): the radiant flux or power output per unit solid angle per unit area, expressed in watts per square metre per steradian (W m-2 sr-1);
(i) level: the combination of irradiance, radiant exposure and radiance to which a worker is exposed.

## 3 Exposure limit values

1. The exposure limit values for non-coherent radiation, other than that emitted by natural sources of optical radiation, are as set out in Annex I.
2. The exposure limit values for laser radiation are as set out in Annex II.

## Section II: OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS

## 4 Determination of exposure and assessment of risks

1. In carrying out the obligations laid down in Articles 6(3) and 9(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer, in the case of workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation, shall assess and, if necessary, measure and/or calculate the levels of exposure to optical radiation to which workers are likely to be exposed so that the measures needed to restrict exposure to the applicable limits can be identified and put into effect. The methodology applied in assessment, measurement and/or calculations shall follow the standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in respect of laser radiation and the recommendations of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) and the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) in respect of non-coherent radiation. In exposure situations which are not covered by these standards and recommendations, and until appropriate EU standards or recommendations become available, assessment, measurement and/or calculations shall be carried out using available national or international science-based guidelines. In both exposure situations, the assessment may take account of data provided by the manufacturers of the equipment when it is covered by relevant Community Directives.
2. The assessment, measurement and/or calculations referred to in paragraph 1 shall be planned and carried out by competent services or persons at suitable intervals, taking particular account of the provisions of Articles 7 and 11 of Directive 89/391/EEC concerning the necessary competent services or persons and the consultation and participation of workers. The data obtained from the assessment, including those obtained from the measurement and/or calculation of the level of exposure referred to in paragraph 1 shall be preserved in a suitable form so as to permit their consultation at a later stage.
3. Pursuant to Article 6(3) of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall give particular attention, when carrying out the risk assessment, to the following:
(a) the level, wavelength range and duration of exposure to artificial sources of optical radiation;
(b) the exposure limit values referred to in Article 3 of this Directive;
(c) any effects concerning the health and safety of workers belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups;
(d) any possible effects on workers’ health and safety resulting from workplace interactions between optical radiation and photosensitising chemical substances;
(e) any indirect effects such as temporary blinding, explosion or fire;
(f) the existence of replacement equipment designed to reduce the levels of exposure to artificial optical radiation;
(g) appropriate information obtained from health surveillance, including published information, as far as possible;
(h) multiple sources of exposure to artificial optical radiation;
(i) a classification applied to a laser as defined in accordance with the relevant IEC standard and, in relation to any artificial source likely to cause damage similar to that of a laser of class 3B or 4, any similar classification;
(j) information provided by the manufacturers of optical radiation sources and associated work equipment in accordance with the relevant Community Directives.
4. The employer shall be in possession of an assessment of the risk in accordance with Article 9(1)(a) of Directive 89/391/EEC and shall identify which measures must be taken in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of this Directive. The risk assessment shall be recorded on a suitable medium, according to national law and practice; it may include a justification by the employer that the nature and extent of the risks related to optical radiation make a further, detailed risk assessment unnecessary. The risk assessment shall be updated on a regular basis, particularly if there have been significant changes which could render it out of date, or if the results of health surveillance show it to be necessary.

## 5 Provisions aimed at avoiding or reducing risks

1. Taking account of technical progress and of the availability of measures to control the risk at source, the risks arising from exposure to artificial optical radiation shall be eliminated or reduced to a minimum.
The reduction of risks arising from exposure to artificial optical radiation shall be based on the general principles of prevention set out in Directive 89/391/EEC.
2. Where the risk assessment carried out in accordance with Article 4(1) for workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation indicates any possibility that the exposure limit values may be exceeded, the employer shall devise and implement an action plan comprising technical and/or organisational measures designed to prevent the exposure exceeding the limit values, taking into account in particular:
(a) other working methods that reduce the risk from optical radiation;
(b) the choice of equipment emitting less optical radiation, taking account of the work to be done;
(c) technical measures to reduce the emission of optical radiation including, where necessary, the use of interlocks, shielding or similar health protection mechanisms;
(d) appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, workplaces and workstation systems;
(e) the design and layout of workplaces and workstations;
(f) limitation of the duration and level of the exposure;
(g) the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment;
(h) the instructions of the manufacturer of the equipment where it is covered by relevant Community Directives.
3. On the basis of the risk assessment carried out in accordance with Article 4, workplaces where workers could be exposed to levels of optical radiation from artificial sources exceeding the exposure limit values shall be indicated by appropriate signs in accordance with Council Directive 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992 on the minimum requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at work (9th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC). The areas in question shall be identified, and access to them limited where this is technically possible and where there is a risk that the exposure limit values could be exceeded.
4. Workers shall not be exposed above the exposure limit values. In any event, if, despite the measures taken by the employer to comply with this Directive in respect of artificial sources of optical radiation, the exposure limit values are exceeded, the employer shall take immediate action to reduce exposure below the exposure limit values. The employer shall identify the reasons why the exposure limit values have been exceeded and shall adapt the protection and prevention measures accordingly in order to prevent them being exceeded again.
5. Pursuant to Article 15 of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall adapt the measures referred to in this Article to the requirements of workers belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups.

## 6 Worker information and training

Without prejudice to Articles 10 and 12 of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall ensure that workers who are exposed to risks from artificial optical radiation at work and/or their representatives receive any necessary information and training relating to the outcome of the risk assessment provided for in Article 4 of this Directive, concerning in particular:
(a) measures taken to implement this Directive;
(b) the exposure limit values and the associated potential risks;
(c) the results of the assessment, measurement and/or calculations of the levels of exposure to artificial optical radiation carried out in accordance with Article 4 of this Directive together with an explanation of their significance and potential risks;
(d) how to detect adverse health effects of exposure and how to report them;
(e) the circumstances in which workers are entitled to health surveillance;
(f) safe working practices to minimise risks from exposure;
(g) proper use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

## 7 Consultation and participation of workers

Consultation and participation of workers and/or of their representatives shall take place in accordance with Article 11 of Directive 89/391/EEC on the matters covered by this Directive.

## Section III: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

## 8 Health surveillance

1. With the objectives of the prevention and timely detection of any adverse health effects, as well as the prevention of any long-term health risks and any risk of chronic diseases, resulting from exposure to optical radiation, Member States shall adopt provisions to ensure appropriate health surveillance of workers pursuant to Article 14 of Directive 89/391/EEC.
2. Member States shall ensure that health surveillance is carried out by a doctor, an occupational health professional or a medical authority responsible for health surveillance in accordance with national law and practice.
3. Member States shall establish arrangements to ensure that, for each worker who undergoes health surveillance in accordance with paragraph 1, individual health records are made and kept up to date. Health records shall contain a summary of the results of the health surveillance carried out. They shall be kept in a suitable form so as to permit consultation at a later date, taking into account any confidentiality. Copies of the appropriate records shall be supplied to the competent authority on request, taking into account any confidentiality. The employer shall take appropriate measures to ensure that the doctor, the occupational health professional or the medical authority responsible for the health surveillance, as determined by Member States as appropriate, has access to the results of the risk assessment referred to in Article 4 where such results may be relevant to the health surveillance. Individual workers shall, at their request, have access to their own personal health records.
4. In any event, where exposure above the limit values is detected, a medical examination shall be made available to the worker(s) concerned in accordance with national law and practice. This medical examination shall also be carried out where, as a result of health surveillance, a worker is found to have an identifiable disease or adverse health effect which is considered by a doctor or occupational health professional to be the result of exposure to artificial optical radiation at work. In both cases, when limit values are exceeded or adverse health effects (including diseases) are identified:
(a) the worker shall be informed by the doctor or other suitably qualified person of the result which relates to him personally. He shall, in particular, receive information and advice regarding any health surveillance which he should undergo following the end of exposure;
(b) the employer shall be informed of any significant findings of the health surveillance, taking into account any medical confidentiality;
(c) the employer shall:
review the risk assessment carried out pursuant to Article 4,
review the measures provided for to eliminate or reduce risks pursuant to Article 5,
take into account the advice of the occupational health professional or other suitably qualified person or the competent authority in implementing any measure required to eliminate or reduce risk in accordance with Article 5, and
arrange continued health surveillance and provide for a review of the health status of any other worker who has been similarly exposed. In such cases, the competent doctor or occupational health professional or the competent authority may propose that the exposed persons undergo a medical examination.

## 9 Penalties

Member States shall provide for adequate penalties to be applicable in the event of infringement of the national legislation adopted pursuant to this Directive. These penalties must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

## 10 Amendment of the Annexes

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 10a to make strictly technical amendments to the Annexes, in order to take account of technical harmonisation and standardisation with regard to the design, building, manufacture or construction of work equipment or workplaces, technical progress, changes in harmonised European standards or international specifications and new scientific findings concerning occupational exposure to optical radiation. Those amendments shall not result in a modification of the exposure limit values set out in the Annexes.
Where, in duly justified and exceptional cases involving imminent, direct and serious risks to workers’ and other persons’ physical health and safety, imperative grounds of urgency require action in a very short timeframe, the procedure provided for in Article 10b shall apply to delegated acts adopted pursuant to this Article.

## 10a Exercise of the delegation

1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 10 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 26 July 2019 . The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 10 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making .
5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 10 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

## 10b Urgency procedure

1. Delegated acts adopted under this Article shall enter into force without delay and shall apply as long as no objection is expressed in accordance with paragraph 2. The notification of a delegated act to the European Parliament and the Council shall state the reasons for the use of the urgency procedure.
2. Either the European Parliament or the Council may object to a delegated act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 10a(6). In such a case, the Commission shall repeal the act immediately following the notification of the decision to object by the European Parliament or by the Council.

## 11 Committee

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

## Section IV: FINAL PROVISIONS

## 12 Reports

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

## 13 Practical guide

In order to facilitate implementation of this Directive the Commission shall draw up a practical guide to the provisions of Articles 4 and 5 and Annexes I and II.

## 14 Transposition

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 27 April 2010. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the provisions of national law which they adopt or have already adopted in the field covered by this Directive.

## 14a 

1. Without prejudice to the general principles of protection and prevention in the area of health and safety of workers, France may, until 31 December 2017 , derogate from the application of the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive in Mayotte as an outermost region within the meaning of Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (hereinafter ‘ Mayotte ’ ), provided that such application requires specific technical facilities that are not available in Mayotte.
The first subparagraph does not apply to the obligations set out in Article 5(1) of this Directive, or to the provisions of this Directive which reflect the general principles laid down in Directive 89/391/EEC.
2. All derogations from this Directive resulting from the application of measures existing on 1 January 2014 or from the adoption of new measures shall be preceded by a consultation with the social partners in accordance with national law and practice. Such derogations shall be applied under conditions which, taking into account the particular circumstances prevailing in Mayotte, guarantee that the resulting risks for workers are reduced to a minimum and that the workers concerned benefit from reinforced health surveillance.
3. The national derogating measures shall be reviewed every year, after consultation with the social partners, and shall be withdrawn as soon as the circumstances justifying them no longer subsist.

## 15 Entry into force

This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

## 16 Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

## Annex I Non-coherent optical radiation

The biophysically relevant exposure values to optical radiation can be determined with the formulae below. The formulae to be used depend on the range of radiation emitted by the source and the results should be compared with the corresponding exposure limit values indicated in Table 1.1. More than one exposure value and corresponding exposure limit can be relevant for a given source of optical radiation.
Numbering (a) to (o) refers to corresponding rows of Table 1.1.
(a)
H eff = ∫ 0 t ∫ λ = 180 nm λ = 400 nm E λ λ,t × S λ × dλ × dt
(Heff is only relevant in the range 180 to 400 nm)
(b)
H UVA = ∫ 0 t ∫ λ = 315 nm λ = 400 nm E λ λ,t × dλ × dt
(HUVA is only relevant in the range 315 to 400 nm)
(c), (d)
L B = ∫ λ = 300 nm λ = 700 nm L λ λ × B λ × dλ
(LB is only relevant in the range 300 to 700 nm)
(e), (f)
E B = ∫ λ = 300 nm λ = 700 nm E λ λ × B λ × dλ
(EB is only relevant in the range 300 to 700 nm)
(g) to (l)
L R = ∫ λ 1 λ 2 L λ λ × R λ × dλ
(See Table 1.1 for appropriate values of λ1 and λ2)
(m), (n)
E IR = ∫ λ = 780 nm λ = 3000 nm E λ λ × dλ
(EIR is only relevant in the range 780 to 3 000 nm)
(o)
H skin = ∫ 0 t ∫ λ = 380 nm λ = 3000 nm E λ λ,t × dλ × dt
(Hskin is only relevant in the range 380 to 3 000 nm)
For the purposes of this Directive, the formulae above can be replaced by the following expressions and the use of discrete values as set out in the following tables:
(a)
E eff = ∑ λ = 180 nm λ = 400 nm E λ × S λ × Δλ
and H eff = E eff × Δt
(b)
E UVA = ∑ λ = 315 nm λ = 400 nm E λ × Δλ
and H UVA = E UVA × Δt
(c), (d)
L B = ∑ λ = 300 nm λ = 700 nm L λ × B λ × Δλ
(e), (f)
E B = ∑ λ = 300 nm λ = 700 nm E λ × B λ × Δλ
(g) to (l)
L R = ∑ λ 1 λ 2 L λ × R λ × Δλ
(See Table 1.1 for appropriate values of λ1 and λ2)
(m), (n)
E IR = ∑ λ = 780 nm λ = 3000 nm E λ × Δλ
(o)
E skin = ∑ λ = 380 nm λ = 3000 nm E λ × Δλ
and H skin = E skin × Δt
Notes:
Eλ (λ,t), Eλ spectral irradiance or spectral power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface, expressed in watts per square metre per nanometre [W m-2 nm-1]; values of Eλ (λ, t) and Eλ come from measurements or may be provided by the manufacturer of the equipment;
Eeff effective irradiance (UV range): calculated irradiance within the UV wavelength range 180 to 400 nm spectrally weighted by S (λ), expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];
H radiant exposure: the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];
Heff effective radiant exposure: radiant exposure spectrally weighted by S (λ), expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];
EUVA total irradiance (UVA): calculated irradiance within the UVA wavelength range 315 to 400 nm, expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];
HUVA radiant exposure: the time and wavelength integral or sum of the irradiance within the UVA wavelength range 315 to 400 nm, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];
S (λ) spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the health effects of UV radiation on eye and skin, (Table 1.2) [dimensionless];
t, Δt time, duration of the exposure, expressed in seconds [s];
λ wavelength, expressed in nanometres [nm];
Δ λ bandwidth, expressed in nanometres [nm], of the calculation or measurement intervals;
Lλ (λ), Lλ spectral radiance of the source expressed in watts per square metre per steradian per nanometre [W m-2 sr -1 nm-1];
R (λ) spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the thermal injury caused to the eye by visible and IRA radiation (Table 1.3) [dimensionless];
LR effective radiance(thermal injury): calculated radiance spectrally weighted by R (λ) expressed in watts per square metre per steradian [W m-2 sr -1];
B (λ) spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the photochemical injury caused to the eye by blue light radiation (Table 1.3) [dimensionless];
LB effective radiance(blue light): calculated radiance spectrally weighted by B (λ), expressed in watts per square metre per steradian [W m-2 sr -1];
EB effective irradiance (blue light): calculated irradiance spectrally weighted by B (λ) expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];
EIR total irradiance (thermal injury): calculated irradiance within the infrared wavelength range 780 nm to 3 000 nm expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];
Eskin total irradiance (visible, IRA and IRB): calculated irradiance within the visible and infrared wavelength range 380 nm to 3 000 nm, expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];
Hskin radiant exposure: the time and wavelength integral or sum of the irradiance within the visible and infrared wavelength range 380 to 3 000 nm, expressed in joules per square metre (J m-2);
α angular subtense: the angle subtended by an apparent source, as viewed at a point in space, expressed in milliradians (mrad). Apparent source is the real or virtual object that forms the smallest possible retinal image.
Table 1.1
Exposure limit values for non-coherent optical radiation
Note 1: The range of 300 to 700 nm covers parts of UVB, all UVA and most of visible radiation; however, the associated hazard is commonly referred to as ‘blue light’ hazard. Blue light strictly speaking covers only the range of approximately 400 to 490 nm.
Note 2: For steady fixation of very small sources with an angular subtense < 11 mrad, LB can be converted to EB. This normally applies only for ophthalmic instruments or a stabilized eye during anaesthesia. The maximum ‘stare time’ is found by: tmax = 100/EB with EB expressed in W m-2. Due to eye movements during normal visual tasks this does not exceed 100 s.
Index
Wavelength nm
Exposure limit value
Units
Comment
Part of the body
Hazard
a.
180-400
(UVA, UVB and UVC)
Heff = 30
Daily value 8 hours
[J m-2]
eye
cornea
conjunctiva
lens
skin
photokeratitis
conjunctivitis
cataractogenesis
erythema
elastosis
skin cancer
b.
315-400
(UVA)
HUVA = 104
Daily value 8 hours
[J m-2]
eye lens
cataractogenesis
c.
300-700
(Blue light) see note 1
L B = 10 6 t for t ≤ 10 000 s
LB :[W m-2 sr-1]
t: [seconds]
for α ≥ 11 mrad
eye retina
photoretinitis
d.
300-700
(Blue light)
see note 1
LB = 100
for t > 10 000 s
[W m-2 sr-1]
e.
300-700
(Blue light)
see note 1
E B = 100 t for t ≤ 10 000 s
EB: [W m-2]
t: [seconds]
for α < 11 mrad
see note 2
f.
300-700
(Blue light)
see note 1
EB = 0,01
t >10 000 s
[W m-2]
g.
380-1 400
(Visible and IRA)
L R = 2,8 × 10 7 C α for t >10 s
[W m-2 sr-1]
Cα = 1,7 for
α ≤ 1,7 mrad
Cα = α for
1,7 ≤ α ≤ 100 mrad
Cα = 100 for
α > 100 mrad
λ1= 380; λ2= 1 400
eye retina
retinal burn
h.
380-1 400
(Visible and IRA)
L R = 5 × 10 7 C α t 0,25 for 10 μs ≤ t ≤ 10 s
LR:[W m-2 sr-1]
t: [seconds]
i.
380-1 400
(Visible and IRA)
L R = 8,89 × 10 8 C α for t <10 μs
[W m-2 sr-1]
j.
780-1 400
(IRA)
L R = 6 × 10 6 C α for t > 10 s
[W m-2 sr-1]
Cα = 11 for
α ≤ 11 mrad
Cα = α for
11≤ α ≤ 100 mrad
Cα = 100 for
α > 100 mrad
(measurement field-of-view: 11 mrad)
λ1= 780; λ2= 1 400
eye retina
retinal burn
k.
780-1 400
(IRA)
L R = 5 × 10 7 C α t 0,25 for 10 μs ≤ t ≤ 10 s
LR: [W m-2 sr-1]
t: [seconds]
l.
780-1 400
(IRA)
L R = 8,89 × 10 8 C α for t < 10 μs
[W m-2 sr-1]
m.
780-3 000
(IRA and IRB)
EIR = 18 000 t-0,75
for t ≤ 1 000 s
E: [W m-2]
t: [seconds]
eye
cornea
lens
corneal burn
cataractogenesis
n.
780-3 000
(IRA and IRB)
EIR = 100
for t > 1 000 s
[W m-2]
o.
380-3 000
(Visible, IRA
and IRB)
Hskin = 20 000 t0,25
for t < 10 s
H: [J m-2]
t: [seconds]
skin
burn
Table 1.2
S (λ) [dimensionless], 180 nm to 400 nm
λ in nm
S (λ)
λ in nm
S (λ)
λ in nm
S (λ)
λ in nm
S (λ)
λ in nm
S (λ)
180
0,012
228
0,1737
276
0,9434
324
0,00052
372
0,000086
181
0,0126
229
0,1819
277
0,9272
325
0,0005
373
0,000083
182
0,0132
230
0,19
278
0,9112
326
0,000479
374
0,00008
183
0,0138
231
0,1995
279
0,8954
327
0,000459
375
0,000077
184
0,0144
232
0,2089
280
0,88
328
0,00044
376
0,000074
185
0,0151
233
0,2188
281
0,8568
329
0,000425
377
0,000072
186
0,0158
234
0,2292
282
0,8342
330
0,00041
378
0,000069
187
0,0166
235
0,24
283
0,8122
331
0,000396
379
0,000066
188
0,0173
236
0,251
284
0,7908
332
0,000383
380
0,000064
189
0,0181
237
0,2624
285
0,77
333
0,00037
381
0,000062
190
0,019
238
0,2744
286
0,742
334
0,000355
382
0,000059
191
0,0199
239
0,2869
287
0,7151
335
0,00034
383
0,000057
192
0,0208
240
0,3
288
0,6891
336
0,000327
384
0,000055
193
0,0218
241
0,3111
289
0,6641
337
0,000315
385
0,000053
194
0,0228
242
0,3227
290
0,64
338
0,000303
386
0,000051
195
0,0239
243
0,3347
291
0,6186
339
0,000291
387
0,000049
196
0,025
244
0,3471
292
0,598
340
0,00028
388
0,000047
197
0,0262
245
0,36
293
0,578
341
0,000271
389
0,000046
198
0,0274
246
0,373
294
0,5587
342
0,000263
390
0,000044
199
0,0287
247
0,3865
295
0,54
343
0,000255
391
0,000042
200
0,03
248
0,4005
296
0,4984
344
0,000248
392
0,000041
201
0,0334
249
0,415
297
0,46
345
0,00024
393
0,000039
202
0,0371
250
0,43
298
0,3989
346
0,000231
394
0,000037
203
0,0412
251
0,4465
299
0,3459
347
0,000223
395
0,000036
204
0,0459
252
0,4637
300
0,3
348
0,000215
396
0,000035
205
0,051
253
0,4815
301
0,221
349
0,000207
397
0,000033
206
0,0551
254
0,5
302
0,1629
350
0,0002
398
0,000032
207
0,0595
255
0,52
303
0,12
351
0,000191
399
0,000031
208
0,0643
256
0,5437
304
0,0849
352
0,000183
400
0,00003
209
0,0694
257
0,5685
305
0,06
353
0,000175
210
0,075
258
0,5945
306
0,0454
354
0,000167
211
0,0786
259
0,6216
307
0,0344
355
0,00016
212
0,0824
260
0,65
308
0,026
356
0,000153
213
0,0864
261
0,6792
309
0,0197
357
0,000147
214
0,0906
262
0,7098
310
0,015
358
0,000141
215
0,095
263
0,7417
311
0,0111
359
0,000136
216
0,0995
264
0,7751
312
0,0081
360
0,00013
217
0,1043
265
0,81
313
0,006
361
0,000126
218
0,1093
266
0,8449
314
0,0042
362
0,000122
219
0,1145
267
0,8812
315
0,003
363
0,000118
220
0,12
268
0,9192
316
0,0024
364
0,000114
221
0,1257
269
0,9587
317
0,002
365
0,00011
222
0,1316
270
1,0
318
0,0016
366
0,000106
223
0,1378
271
0,9919
319
0,0012
367
0,000103
224
0,1444
272
0,9838
320
0,001
368
0,000099
225
0,15
273
0,9758
321
0,000819
369
0,000096
226
0,1583
274
0,9679
322
0,00067
370
0,000093
227
0,1658
275
0,96
323
0,00054
371
0,00009
Table 1.3
B (λ), R (λ) [dimensionless], 380 nm to 1 400 nm
λ in nm
B (λ)
R (λ)
300 ≤ λ < 380
0,01
—
380
0,01
0,1
385
0,013
0,13
390
0,025
0,25
395
0,05
0,5
400
0,1
1
405
0,2
2
410
0,4
4
415
0,8
8
420
0,9
9
425
0,95
9,5
430
0,98
9,8
435
1
10
440
1
10
445
0,97
9,7
450
0,94
9,4
455
0,9
9
460
0,8
8
465
0,7
7
470
0,62
6,2
475
0,55
5,5
480
0,45
4,5
485
0,32
3,2
490
0,22
2,2
495
0,16
1,6
500
0,1
1
500 < λ ≤ 600
100,02·(450 - λ)
1
600 < λ ≤ 700
0,001
1
700 < λ ≤ 1 050
—
100,002 · (700 - λ)
1 050 < λ ≤ 1 150
—
0,2
1 150 < λ ≤ 1 200
—
0,2· 100,02·(1 150 - λ)
1 200 < λ ≤ 1 400
—
0,02

## Annex II: Laser optical radiation

## 

The biophysically relevant exposure values to optical radiation can be determined with the formulae below. The formulae to be used depend on the wavelength and duration of radiation emitted by the source and the results should be compared with the corresponding exposure limit values indicated in the Tables 2.2 to 2.4. More than one exposure value and corresponding exposure limit can be relevant for a given source of laser optical radiation.
Coefficients used as calculation tools within the Tables 2.2 to 2.4 are listed in Table 2.5 and corrections for repetitive exposure are listed in Table 2.6.
E = dP dA W m –2
H = ∫ 0 t E t × dt J m –2
Notes:
dP power expressed in watt [W];
dA surface expressed in square metres [m2];
E (t), E irradiance or power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface, generally expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2]. Values of E(t), E come from measurements or may be provided by the manufacturer of the equipment;
H radiant exposure: the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];
t time, duration of the exposure, expressed in seconds [s];
λ wavelength, expressed in nanometres [nm];
γ limiting cone angle of measurement field-of-view expressed in milliradians [mrad];
γm measurement field of view expressed in milliradians [mrad];
α angular subtense of a source expressed in milliradians [mrad];
limiting aperture: the circular area over which irradiance and radiant exposure are averaged;
G integrated radiance: the integral of the radiance over a given exposure time expressed as radiant energy per unit area of a radiating surface per unit solid angle of emission, in joules per square metre per steradian [J m-2 sr -1].

## Table 2.1 Radiation hazards

Wavelength [nm]λ
Radiation range
Affected organ
Hazard
Exposure limit value table
180 to 400
UV
eye
photochemical damage and thermal damage
2.2, 2.3
180 to 400
UV
skin
erythema
2.4
400 to 700
visible
eye
retinal damage
2.2
400 to 600
visible
eye
photochemical damage
2.3
400 to 700
visible
skin
thermal damage
2.4
700 to 1 400
IRA
eye
thermal damage
2.2, 2.3
700 to 1 400
IRA
skin
thermal damage
2.4
1 400 to 2 600
IRB
eye
thermal damage
2.2
2 600 to 106
IRC
eye
thermal damage
2.2
1 400 to 106
IRB, IRC
eye
thermal damage
2.3
1 400 to 106
IRB, IRC
skin
thermal damage
2.4

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudr/2006/25 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2006-25
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.