Safety standards and safety requirements in standards international guidance documents

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standards (ISO) are international standards development organizations and publishers of standards for many different types of products. The interest of the IEC is restricted to electrical and electronic products including lasers as well as other light producing electrical devices such as LEDs and lamps. The IEC and ISO have issued guidance documents to be used by their technical committees that develop and maintain standards for products. This discussion will discuss key elements of the guidance documents and will explore how these elements should be considered by those who work in writing and maintaining standards. The discussion will include not only the general principles applicable to all products but also those related to the European Low Voltage Directive that is applicable to most laser products.