The standards IEC 60825-1 for laser product classification and ANSI Z136.1 on user requirements are in the process of being revised, particularly regarding the retinal thermal MPEs and AEL for Class 1, 2 and 3R. For pulsed exposure, the basic multiple pulse rules will change significantly, as well as, on top of that, for extended sources, a time dependence αmax is introduced. The MPE/AEL is in rare cases smaller than the current value, but for most practical cases the new limits result in a significant increase of the permitted emission level for the “safe” classes or of the MPE for the eye (and therefore a decrease of the NOHD for Class 3B and Class 4). Examples will be presented that will demonstrate the effect of the changes.

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