EN IEC 60825-2:2026

Overview

EN IEC 60825-2:2026, developed by CLC, addresses the safety of optical fibre communication systems (OFCSs). This international standard provides comprehensive requirements and detailed guidance for the safe operation, installation, and maintenance of OFCSs, covering scenarios where optical power may be accessible outside transmitting equipment or at considerable distances from the optical source. The standard is critical to organizations, manufacturers, and service providers who manage or interact with laser-based optical fibre networks, ensuring human safety against hazards arising from optical radiation.

Unlike traditional laser product classification (IEC 60825-1), EN IEC 60825-2:2026 mandates the assessment of hazard levels at every accessible location in an OFCS installation. This creates a practical, location-specific approach to managing the potential risks associated with lasers, LEDs, and optical amplifiers in end-to-end optical communication systems.

Key Topics

EN IEC 60825-2:2026 emphasizes several core concepts and safety requirements, including:

• Hazard Level Assessment: Every accessible location within an OFCS must be evaluated for potential exposure to optical radiation. Hazard levels replace product classification, enabling tailored safety measures for each scenario.
• Types of Optical Sources: The standard applies to systems using lasers, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and optical amplifiers transmitting via optical fibre for communication or control purposes.
• Location Classification: Accessible locations are categorized as unrestricted, restricted, or controlled, each requiring specific protective measures depending on the evaluated hazard level.
• Protective Measures: Guidance includes the use of protective housing, labelling and marking, automatic power reduction (APR), and restricted access protocols based on hazard evaluation.
• Responsibility Assignments: Manufacturers, installers, operating organizations, and service/maintenance personnel all have defined obligations to maintain and document safety according to assessed hazard levels.
• Marking and Warning Systems: Requirements for labels, signs, and instructions that clearly warn of potential optical hazards, tailored to the risk profile at each location.
• Exclusions: This standard does not apply to fibre systems for material processing, medical treatment, or installations in explosive atmospheres.

Applications

EN IEC 60825-2:2026 is pivotal for:

• Telecommunications Operators: Ensuring the safe deployment and maintenance of high-capacity fibre networks, including long-haul, metropolitan, and access systems.
• Industrial Automation: Protecting personnel where OFCSs are used for machine control and monitoring.
• Network Equipment Manufacturers: Ensuring components and assemblies comply with safety requirements when integrated into larger communication infrastructures.
• System Integrators and Installers: Guiding field procedures during installation, commissioning, and modification, including hazard reassessment after system changes.
• Service and Maintenance Providers: Implementing safety practices during live fibre work, troubleshooting, and repairs.

By requiring hazard-level assessment at all potential access points, the standard directly supports compliance in a variety of operational contexts-from large-scale data centers to distributed optical networks in smart cities or campuses-enhancing overall fibre optic safety.

Related Standards

Several international standards complement EN IEC 60825-2:2026 for optical fibre communication safety:

• IEC 60825-1: Safety of laser products - Equipment classification and requirements, forming the baseline for hazard limits and terminology.
• IEC 60825-12: Safety of free space optical communication systems, addressing non-fibre systems.
• IEC 62368-1: Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment safety requirements, often referenced for system-level safety.
• IEC 61508: Functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems, reinforcing safety engineering approaches.
• IEC 60794 Series: Test methods and specifications for fibre optic cables, relevant for system component safety and performance.

Conclusion

EN IEC 60825-2:2026 establishes a vital safety framework for the ever-expanding landscape of optical fibre communications. Its hazard-based, location-specific approach ensures comprehensive protection for personnel, aids regulatory compliance, and fosters best practices in system design, installation, and maintenance. For stakeholders in fibre communications, adherence to this standard is essential to advance both safety and technological progress.